Bland aldermen revisit pool ordinance, second reading in July

By Roxie Murphy, Staff Writer
Posted 6/24/20

BLAND — The city of Bland is revisiting a swimming pool ordinance that will grandfather in all existing pools in the community.

Ordinance 610, Chapter 23, Article 7 was originally proposed …

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Bland aldermen revisit pool ordinance, second reading in July

Posted

BLAND — The city of Bland is revisiting a swimming pool ordinance that will grandfather in all existing pools in the community.

Ordinance 610, Chapter 23, Article 7 was originally proposed in the fall of 2019 before it was tabled. The board decided to revisit the ordinance, which means it will need to be read at two city meetings. The first reading was June 8.

Ordinance 610 proposes that a pool is defined as a receptacle for water or an artificial pool of water having a depth at any point of more than two feet that is intended for the purpose of immersion therein of human beings and including all appurtenant equipment. It shall also include spas and hot tubs. Also included are private pools located at a single-family residence, public pools operated by a public or private agency offering access to the general public, and semi-private pool for a multiple family  housing project, apartment complex, motel, or hotel or is operated for or by a homeowner’s association.

The following are proposed rules to having a pool in the city limits:

Outdoor Pool Locations 23.125:

No portion of the swimming pool outside a building shall be located at a distance less than eight feet from any side or rear property line or building line.

No portion of the pool will be located in front of the residence.

Pumps, filters, and pool water disinfecting equipment shall be located at a distance of not less than eight feet from any side of the property line.

Permit required 23.126:

It shall be unlawful to proceed with the construction, installation, enlargement or alteration of any private residential swimming pool and appurtenances over 2,500 gallons within the city unless permits thereafter shall have first been obtained from the building commissioner.

Drawings, plans and permits 23.127:

All drawings and plans for the construction, installation, enlargement or alteration of any in-ground swimming pool or above ground swimming pool over the 2,500 gallons and appurtenances shall first be presented to the building commissioner for examination and approval as to property location and construction.

All private residential swimming pools, appurtenances, water supply and drainage systems shall be constructed in conformity and with the approved plans.

Safety requirements 23.128 for new construction for:

New in-ground pools.

All outdoor swimming pools shall be completely enclosed by a fence.

All fence openings or points of entry into the pool area enclosed shall be equipped gates.

The fences and gates shall be 48 inches in height above the grade level and all gates shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices at the top of the gate. Design and construction of the fence shall be approved by the building commissioner at the time of issuance of the building permit.

New above-ground pools:

Swimming pools constructed above the ground either totaling or partially shall be protected by a fence at least 48 inches high if its sidewalls or any part of the surrounding deck area is less than 48 inches above the grade

If a pool’s construction by design provides a wall 48 inches above the grade at all points, then no barrier is necessary, but access to a ladder should be prevented when the pool is not in use.

Should a 48-inch pool by design with a deck and stair or ladder access, no fence is needed, but the stair or ladder must be secured to prevent access during periods of unuse.

Exception: approved lock-down covers may be permitted in lieu of a barrier/fence for spas or hot tubs.

Water supply 23.129:

No source of water other than that secured from an approved system shall be used in swimming pools.

Inlets 23.130:

The system supply recirculated water and makeup water to the pool shall be constructed in conformance with the ordinances regulating plumbing.

Outlets 23.131:

Pools shall be equipped with facilities for completely emptying the pool and the discharge of the pool water shall be at a rate not to exceed two hundred gallons per minute. No direct connection shall be made to the sanitary sewer system. Where practical, the building commissioner shall require the disconnection of any existing pool from the sanitary sewer system.

Recirculation system and appurtenances:

Equipment to disinfect the pool water shall be provided.

Any disinfection method using materials other than chlorine or salt compounds shall be subject to the approval of the building commissioner. Disinfecting equipment installed for the use of chlorine or salt compounds shall have sufficient capacity to maintain a minimum free chlorine residual of four-tenths parts per million. The pools shall have a testing kit available for measuring chlorine residual and pH. Public and semi-private pools shall have pH in the range between 7.4 and 7.8.

Electrical 23.133

All new installations shall conform to a standard electrical of this code.

Permit fees 23.134

A $25 fee shall be charged for a pool construction permit.

Existing Pools Compliance 23.135

All existing public or semi-private pools shall comply with sections 23.125-23.133 and all existing private pools shall comply with sections 23.128, 23.131, and 23.132 within 30 days of the passage of the ordinance.

The board plans to have a second reading at the July 13 meeting and bring the ordinance to a vote.