Pool Permits

In the Town of Arnprior, you must install a fenced enclosure before filling a pool with water as per our Private Swimming Pools By-law. An enclosure and permit is needed if the water's depth is greater than 600mm (24 inches).

Apply for a Permit

Please complete the Application for a Pool Enclosure Permit and submit any required supporting documents to the Building Department. You'll need to specify the type of fence that you intend to install and if you're installing an in-ground or above-ground pool. In-ground swimming pools also require lot grading and drainage plans completed by a qualified professional to complete your application. Once your permit has been approved, please make sure to call the Building Department for an inspection before filling the pool with water to ensure that your fencing is safe and follows the By-law.

Fencing

No privately owned swimming pool shall be constructed or maintained unless there is erected and maintained entirely around such pool an approved fence, except that a wall of a building may be considered to provide adequate protection for its length when substituted for any portion of a fence when all doors located in this wall are equipped with locks and self closing and latching devices located a minimum 1.5 metres (5 feet) above the bottom of the door and the building is continuously occupied or all doors thereto are to be locked when it is not occupied.
Every fence enclosing a privately owned swimming pool shall be a minimum 1.5 metres (5 feet) in height and shall be of a close boarded, chain link having a mesh size of 50mm (2 inches) or less, or other approved design such that it will reasonably deter children from climbing it to gain access to the fenced in area.
Close boarded fences shall be supported by wood posts at least 89 mm x 89 mm (4 inches x 4 inches)spaced not more than 2.4 metres (8 feet) apart. Such posts shall extend a minimum of 600 mm (2 feet) below grade and be encased in concrete at least 50 mm (2 inches) all around. The portion of the post below ground shall be treated with wood preservative.
Chain link fences shall be supported by a minimum 38 mm (1.5 inches) diameter galvanized steel posts spaced not more than 3.0 metres (10 feet) apart. Such posts shall extend a minimum of 600 mm ( 2 feet) below grade and be encased in concrete at least 50 mm ( 2 inches) all around.
Every fence or fence bottom rail shall not be more than 50 mm ( 2 inches) above finished grade. Gates in the aforesaid fence shall provide protection equivalent to the fence and shall be equipped with self-closing, self-latching devices and a lock, located at the top and inside gate. Every privately owned swimming pool shall be secured against entry of the public other than tenants or their guests and no invitation to the public shall be extended. Every gate shall be locked except when the fenced in area is actually being used and supervised by the owner of the premises or other adult person authorized by the owner to supervise the use of the pool.
No barbed wire, nor device producing electric current shall form part of a fence or gate.
A boundary fence on the lot line may be used as a portion of the fence around a pool area provided such parts of the boundary fence used as fencing, around the pool complies in all respects to the requirements.
No person shall place water in a privately owned swimming pool or allow water to remain in such swimming pool unless a fence complying with the provisions of this by-law has been erected, completely around such swimming pool.

Above Ground Swimming Pools

For the purposes of this by-law above-ground privately owned outdoor swimming pools are considered to be the same as in-ground privately owned outdoor swimming pools, and require the same enclosures around the entire pool.
Certain above-ground privately owned outdoor swimming pools which have as an integral part of their construction a fence around the pool area, 1.5 metres (5 feet) in height, may consider the said integrally constructed fence as being a part of the required swimming pool enclosure, provided that a suitable ground constructed enclosure surrounds the entrance ladder, and any other equipment such as a heater, filter, so as to present an inaccessible pool area incapable of being scaled.

In-Ground Swimming Pools

A lot grading and drainage plan completed by a qualified professional (Professional Engineer or Certified Engineering Technologist or other qualifications as deemed appropriate by the Chief Building Official) must be provided prior to issuing a permit to allow the installation of an in-ground swimming pool.

Location of Pools

A privately owned swimming pool and structures in conjunction with such a swimming pool may be erected and used in the interior side yard or rear yard provided:

No part of such swimming pool shall be constructed closer than 1.22 metres (4 feet) to any lot line. For the purpose of the foregoing, the distance to a lot line shall be measured from the nearest outside edge of the pool.
No part of such swimming pool, including the associated apron or platform shall be constructed closer to a street line than the minimum requirements as provided in the Town of Arnprior Zoning By-law.
No water circulating or treatment equipment such as pumps or filters shall be located closer than 1.22 metres (4 feet) to any rear or side lot lines unless enclosed in an accessory building.