POOL CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Updated:  August 2007

1.    All inspections may be scheduled online or called in to the automated system at 972-304-3518.  Same day inspections will be performed for all inspections phoned in to the recorder before 7:00 a.m. each weekday.

2.    Office hours for inspectors will usually be from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m.  The office telephone number is 972-304-3500.  Extenuating circumstances will vary the hours that the inspectors are in the field.

3.    Re-inspection fees are due by 8:30 a.m., if there is to be a re-inspection that same day.

4.    Permits must be obtained before any work can begin.  The following inspections will be required on all new pools being constructed:

a.  P-trap, including backwash line

b.  Gas line

c.  Deck steel - ground

d.  Pool final

5.    No concrete inspections will be made unless the temperature is 38 degrees or above and rising.  Concrete inspections will not be made if it has been determined that it is too wet.  Inspections not made because of temperature requirements must be recalled by the contractor, and are not automatically held-over to the next day. 

6.    Prior to all inspections, non-removable hose bibb vacuum breakers must be installed on all hose bibbs within 50 feet (50') of the water's edge.

7.    A temporary fence at least 3 feet (3') high must surround the pool at all times.  Failure to have the site enclosedwill result in the inspection not  being made and a $50.00 re-inspection fee being assessed.  Continued failure toenclose the site with a fence will result in a citation being issued to the pool contractor.

8.    P-traps along the backwash line (pool drain lines) are required on all pools.  NO EXCEPTIONS.

9.    At the time the deck steel inspection is made, an inspection of the pool plumbing will also be made.  This inspection will consist of a verification of a 20 psi pressure test on the pool plumbing.  The pressure should be applied to the lines at least 2 hours prior to the inspection.  PVC joints must be prepared by an approved primer and glue.  A pressure test of at least 20 psi must be on the plumbing at the time of inspection.

10.  A fence between 4 feet (4') and eight feet (8') in height must be installed before the final inspection will be approved.  All gates must be self- closing and self-latching, with the latch being at least 46 inches in height.  The pool contractor is responsible for the installation of the fence around the pool.

11.  An electrical outlet must be installed no closer than ten feet (10') and no further than twenty feet (20') from the edge of the water.

12.  If any inspection is requested and the work is not accessible, not ready, or the same inspection is rejected twice for the same reason, a $50.00 re-inspection fee will be assessed.

13.  Pool contractors are responsible for obtaining approval on the pool final inspection prior to final plaster and filling the pool with water.

BARRIERS FOR SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS, AND HOT TUBS
Updated:  October 2007

A.  General

Section 419.  The provisions of these sections (419 through 421) apply to the design and construction of barriers for swimming pools located on the premises of Group R, Division 3, Occupancies and Group R, Division 1, Occupancies.

B.  Definitions 

Section 420.  For the purpose of said sections, certain terms, words and phrases are defined as follows:

C.  SWIMMING POOL FENCE OR ENCLOSURE REQUIRED

Section 421.1.  Outdoor swimming pool.  Every person in possession of land within the corporate limits of the City, either as owner, purchaser under contract, lessee, tenant, or licensee, upon which is situated an outdoor swimming pool, including an in-ground, above-ground, or on-ground pool, hot tub or spa shall at all times maintain upon the lot or premises on which the swimming pool  is located, and completely surrounding the swimming pool, lot or premises, a fence, wall or other solid structure designed to prevent small children from inadvertently wandering into the pool, as follows:

1.  The top of the barrier shall be at least 48 inches above grade measured on the side of the barrier facing away from the swimming pool.  The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be 2 inches measured on the side of the barrier facing away from the swimming pool.  Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, such as an above-ground pool, the barrier may be at ground level, such as the pool structure, or mounted on top of the pool structure.  Where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, the bottom of the barrier shall be 4 inches.

2.  No permanent structures, boxes, or other items shall be located adjacent to the barrier where the top of the box structure or other items is within a 48 inch radius of the top of the barrier.

3.  Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch diameter sphere.

4.  Solid barriers, which do not have openings, such as masonry, or stone walls, shall not contain indentations, or protrusions except for tooled masonry joints.

5.  Maximum gauge for chain link fence shall be not less than 9 gauge.

6.  Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members, such as lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal members shall be no more than 1-3/4 inches. 

D.  DOORS AND GATES

Section 421.2.  Access gates shall comply with the requirements of Items 1 through 6 above, and shall be equipped with one or more of the following types of doors or gates and none other:

1.  A gate or door used for general ingress or egress to and from the enclosed area which is not a door of an occupied dwelling, when dwelling structure forms a part of the enclosure required by this Article.  Such gate or door shall be equipped with and shall be maintained with self-closing and self-latching devices, designed to keep and capable of keeping such door or gate securely closed and latched at all times when not in actual use, and such latching device to be attached no lower than forty-six inches (46") from the grade level measured at the outside of the gate or door.

2.  A gate or door, over three (3) feet in width, or not used for general ingress or egress to and from the enclosed area.  Such gate or door need not be equipped with self-latching devices, provided it is equipped with and maintained with some type of permanent locking device.  However, it shall be unlawful and a violation for any said person to allow such a gate or door to remain open or unlocked while unattended.

3.  Drive gates shall not be considered as meeting the requirements of this Section and shall not be allowed as part of the required barrier.

E.  TEMPORARY FENCE

Section 421.3.  A temporary fence of at least three (3) feet in height must completely surround a swimming pool while it is under construction  and not attended.

F.  FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ENCLOSURE UNLAWFUL

Section 421.4.  It shall be unlawful to maintain any swimming pool within the City, which is not fenced in accordance with the requirements of this code.

G.  FAILURE TO SECURE FINAL INSPECTION UNLAWFUL

Section 421.5.  All pools constructed within the corporate limits of the City must pass final inspection by the Building Inspections Department within 30 calendar days of approval of deck steel inspection.  Failure to pass final inspection within this time frame shall be unlawful and will be grounds for suspension of additional permit issuance for further pool construction.