Lincoln Municipal Code Ch. 15.20 Swimming Pools

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 828B, §§ 1, 6, adopted Dec. 11, 2007, repealed Ch. 15.20 in its entirety and enacted a new Ch. 15.20 to read as set out herein. Former Ch. 15.20, §§ 15.20.010—15.20.040, pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. 186B, §§ 1—4, adopted in 1962; Ord. 592B §§ 1—4, adopted in 1993.

Before any person commences the installation of any plumbing, filter system, circulating pumping, chlorinating or emptying system for any swimming, wading or bathing pool, public or private, that contains water over 18 inches deep, an application shall be made to the city for a permit to construct such installation. A permit fee shall be required.

(1) An above-ground, pre-wired to plug into a 110 volt electrical outlet, pre-manufactured, self-contained spa unit with a lockable cover shall be exempted from these requirements unless the spa is to be placed in front of a window or within five feet of any mechanical or electrical equipment or any other metal structure. The spa cannot be located so as to obstruct the movement of emergency personnel or create a hazard to emergency egress from a structure.

(Ord. No. 828B, § 6, 12-11-2007)

All applications for permits for such construction shall be accompanied by engineered, wet stamped/signed plans and specifications in triplicate and in sufficient detail to show the pool dimensions, size and type of filters, layout of all piping, with size indicated; the method of waste disposal, source of water supply and other data pertinent thereto. In addition to the plans, a site plan must be submitted showing the exact distances from the pool or spa edge and pump(s) or filters to all structures, property lines and/or fences. The proposed barrier and gate requirements as listed in subsection (4) of Section 15.20.030 must be listed or attached to the plans.

(Ord. No. 828B, § 6, 12-11-2007)

For the construction of such pools, the following minimum requirements shall be observed:

(1) Permission shall be obtained in writing from the public works director to discharge swimming pool water into the public sewer. A copy of such permission stating the maximum size of the waste line between the interceptor and the sewer shall accompany any application for a permit.

(2) There shall be no direct connection between any domestic water supply line and any circulating pump, filter, water softener or other apparatus or device that comes in contact with water in or from the pool. The domestic supply to the storage tank or pool shall be above the extreme overflow in such manner as to prevent water from the tank or pool from entering the domestic supply line.

(3) All swimming pools shall have the bottom and inner sides constructed of smooth nonabsorbent material and shall be constructed as to be properly drained through one or more metal grate openings which comply with current state of California requirements. All such drains shall have a gate valve installed therein, located in an accessible place or masonry pit outside the walls of the pool.

(4) An outdoor pool shall be provided with a barrier that is to be installed and inspected prior to filling with water. The barrier shall comply with the following:

a. The top of the barrier shall be at least 60 inches above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the pool. The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be two inches measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance at the bottom of the barrier may be increased to four inches when grade is a solid surface. Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, such as an above-ground pool, the barrier may be at ground level or mounted on top of the pool structure. Where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, the maximum vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be four inches.

b. Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a four-inch diameter sphere.

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

d. Unless the top of the barrier is greater than 60 inches above grade, the horizontal members shall be located on the swimming pool side of the fence. Spacing between vertical members shall not exceed one and three-fourths inches in width. Where there are decorative cut-outs within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed one and three-fourths inches in width. Under no conditions shall horizontal members create a ladder-like condition.

e. Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be two inches square. The wire shall not be less than nine gauge.

f. Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members, such as a lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal members shall be no more than one and three-fourths inches.

g. Access gates shall comply with the requirements of subsection (4)a. through f. of this section and shall be equipped to accommodate a locking device. Pedestrian access gates shall open outward away from the pool and shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device. Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than 54 inches from the bottom of the gate, (1) the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate at least 42 inches from the bottom of the gate, and (2) the gate and barrier shall have no opening greater than one-half inch within 18 inches of the release mechanism. Any gate other than pedestrian access gates shall remain locked at all times when not in use, with a durable sign on or adjacent to the gate stating: "THIS GATE TO REMAIN LOCKED AT ALL TIMES WHEN NOT IN USE."

h. Isolation fencing (fencing that completely encloses the pool and separates the pool from the house and remaining yard) shall meet the requirements of subsection (4)a. through g. of this section, where applicable, and the isolation access gate shall swing outward from the pool.

i. Where an above-ground pool structure is used as a barrier or where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure and the means of access is a ladder or steps, then (1) the ladder or steps shall be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access, or (2) the ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier which meets the requirements of subsection (4)a. through h. of this section. When the ladder or steps are secured, locked or removed, any opening created shall not allow the passage of a four-inch diameter sphere.

(Ord. No. 828B, § 6, 12-11-2007)

For the abandonment of such pools, the following minimum requirement shall be observed:

(1) A demolition permit is required to be obtained prior to the abandonment of a pool structure.

(2) The bottom and sides of the pool structure must be completely removed, including all debris.

(3) The remaining pool area must be filled with suitable material as per the current edition of the International Building Code for soils compaction and grading requirements.

(4) If the filled pool area will be used to support a structure, a soils engineer must provide a soils report to the chief inspector/building official prior to obtaining a demolition permit.

(Ord. No. 828B, § 6, 12-11-2007)