Municipal Code Chapter 591 - Fences - Swimming Pools
Peterborough, Ontario
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591.1.1
591.1.2
591.1.3
591.1.4
591.1.5
591.1.6
591.1.7
591.1.8
591.1.9
591.1.10
591.2.1
591.2.2
591.2.3
591.2.4
591.3.1
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
Chapter 591
FENCES - SWIMMING POOLS
CHAPTER INDEX
Article 1
INTERPRETATION
Above ground privately-owned swimming pool
Backflow preventer - defined
Building Inspector - defined
Enclosure - defined
Gate - defined
Owner - defined
Person - defined
Pool area - defined
Privately-owned outdoor swimming pool - defined
Privately-owned property - defined
Article 2
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Construction - maintenance - responsibilities
Enclosures - maintenance - erection - after enactment
Fences - prior to enactment - conditions
By-laws - other - application
Article 3
FENCE-ENCLOSURE
Around entire pool - maintained - good order
PETERBOROUGH
S9l.l
JULY 1991
Amended by ByLaw 94-112
FENCES
- SWIMMING POOLS
59 1.3.2
Pool
- filled
- partially
- fully
59 1.3.3
Height
- minimum
- vertical
- from grade - required
59 1.3.4
Wall
- part of enclosure
- permitted
- exceptions
59 1.3.5
Exterior
- no attachments
- prevention
- of climbing
591.3.6
Construction
- wood
- chain link
- other
591.3.7
Chain link
- diamond mesh
- maximum size
59 1.3.8
Chain link - galvanized steel
- coated
- minimum gauge
591.3.9
Chain link
- supports
- specifications
591.3.10
Chain link
- top
- bottom
- supports - required
591.3.11
Chain link
- vinyl
- substituted - for galvanized
59 1.3.12
Wood
- vertical boarding
- prevention of climbing
59 1.3.13
Wood
- board dimensions
- spacing
- requirements
59 1.3.14
Wood
- supports
- size
- depth
- spacing
591.3.15
Wood
- posts
- below grade
- treated
59 1.3.16
Wood
- top
- bottom
- supports
- required
59 1.3.17
Barbed wire
- electric
- dangerous
- prohibited
Article 4
GATES - ENTRANCES
59 1.4.1
Gate
- height
- construction
59 1.4.2
Gate
- supported
- substantial hinges
59 1.4.3
Gate
- self-closing
- latching
- inside
- minimum height
59 1.4.4
Gates -2 adjacent - 1 fixed
- or centre post
591.4.5
Doors
- heights
- construction
- safe
- rigid
591.4.6
Doors
- supported
- substantial hinges
591.4.7
Doors
- self-closing
- latching
- inside
- minimum height
591.4.8
Locked
- when not supervised
0
JULY 1991
591.2
PETERBOROUGH
FENCES - SWIMMING PUOLS
Article 5
PERMITS
591.5.1
Requized
- excavation
- construction - fee
591.5.2
Application
- plans
- information
- requirements
Article 6
ABOVE GROUND SWIMMING POOLS
591.6.1
Fence
- not required - pool waIl-S feet above grade
59 1.6.2
Entrance
- gate
- self-closing
- latching
- height
591.6.3
Gates
- 2 adjacent
- 1 fixed
- or centre post
Article 7
PLUMBING FACILITIES
591.7.1
Connection
backflow preventer
- water supply
- sewer
591.7.2
Hose bib
- for filling
- backflow prevented required
Article 8
ENFORCEMENT
59 1.8.1
Fine - for contravention
591.8.2
Continuation
- repetition
- prohibited
Article 9
ENACTMENT
591.9.1
Effective date
PETERBOROUGH
591.3
JULY 1991
9I.1.1
gN6-WIWANOP66Lg
Article 1
INTERPRETATION
Q
591.1.1
Above ground privately-owned swimming pool
"above ground privately-owned swimming pool" means a structure
which is capable of retaining a body of water located outdoors on
privately-owned property in which the depth at any point can exceed
30cm (12 inches) and is used or is capable of being used forswimming,
wading, diving or bathing and the outside wall of the said pool is
elevated at least 1.6 metres (5 feet) above the grade abutting such wall.
"591.1.2 Backflow preventer - defined
"backflow preventer" means the use of an air gap to prevent backflow, or an
atmospheric or pressure type vacuum breaker, or any other device, used to prevent
backflow, which device is certified by the Canadian Standards Association to CSA
Standard B.64. (94-112)
591.1.3
Building Inspector - defined
"Building Inspector" means the Chief Building Official and any build
ing inspectors appointed by by-law of Council of The Corporation of
the City of Peterborough pursuant to the Building Code Act, as
amended.
591.1,4
Enclosure
- defined
"enclosure" means a fence, wall or other structure, including doors and
gates, surrounding a privately-owned outdoor swimming pool to
restrict access thereto.
591.1.5
Gate- defined
"gate" means an entrance barrier closing the opening to a pool area.
591.1.6
Owner
- defined
"owner" means the registered title holder or any person in possession
of privately-owned property.
591.1.7
Person - defined
"person" includes an owner, lessee, tenant or other person in posses
sion of property upon which a privately-owned outdoor swimming
pool is located.
591.1.8
Pool area
- defined
"pool area" means that area of land abutting the pool extending from
the edge of said pool a distance of 1.2 metres (4 feet).
0
JULY 1991
591.4
PEThRBOROUGH
591.1.9
FENCES
- SWIMMING POOLS
591.2.4
591.1.9
Privately-owned outdoor swimming pool
- defined
"privately-owned outdoor swimming pool" means any body of water
or pool of water located outdoors on privately-owned property in
which the depth at any point can exceed 30cm (12 inches) and is used
or is capable of being used for swimming, wading, diving, or bathing,
but does not include above ground privately-owned swimming pool.
591.1.10
Privately-owned property - defined
"privately-owned property" means any property located wholly or
partly within the City of Peterborough and the said property is not
owned by The Corporation of the City of Peterborough.
Article 2
GENERAL PROVISIONS
591.2.1
Construction - maintenance
- responsibilities
This Chapter and the obligations thereunder, as it would pertain to any
owner of land on which a privately-owned outdoor swimming pool is
located or erected, or any person who fills, or partially fills, a private
ly-owned outdoor swimming pool with water, shall specify obligations
as it would pertain to Ihe construction and maintenance of fences and
enclosures that are erected on any date after December 31, 1987.
591.2.2
Enclosures - maintenance
- erection - after enactment
The obligations to appropriately maintain an enclosure as required by
this Chapter shall apply to all enclosures erected or placed on any
property within the City of Peterborough on any date after December
31, 1987.
591.2.3
Fences
- prior to enactment
- conditions
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to a fence or enclosure
erected prior to January 1st, 1988, provided that such fence or
enclosure complies with the provisions of By-law 1969-53, as
amended, and that such fences or enclosures are maintained in accord
ance with the provisions of By-law 1969-53, as amended.
591.2.4
By-laws - other
- application
By-law 1969-53 and section 11 of By-law 1982-3 of The Corporation
of the City of Peterborough, shall remain in full force and effect as it
would pertain to the obligations recited thereunder in regard to
enclosures and fences constructed prior to January 1st, 1988.
PErERBOROUGH
591.5
JULY 1991
591.3.1
FENCES
- SWIMMING POOLS
591.3.5
Article 3
FENCE-ENCLOSURE
(3
591.3.1
Around entire pool
- maintained - good order
Any owner of land on which a privately-owned outdoor swimming
pool is located or erected, or proposed to be located or erected, shall
erect and maintain, in good order, an enclosure around the entire pool
area in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.
591.3.2
Pool - filled
- partially
- fully
No person shall fill or parlially fill a privately-owned outdoor swim
ming pool with water or allow water to remain therein unless the
required enclosure prescribed by this Chapter has been provided.
591.3.3
Height - minimum
- vertical
- from grade
- required
Any fence to enclose a pool area shall extend from grade level to a
minimum vertical height of:
(a)
1.22 metres (4'O") in the case of a privately-owned outdoor
swimming pool serving a detached or semi-detached dwell
ing unit or a multiple family development of not more than
four (4) dwelling units;
(b)
1.83 metres (6'O") in the case of a privately-owned outdoor
swimming pool serving a multiple family development con
taining more than four (4) dwelling units; or a commercial
development, such as a hotel, motel, swimming pool sales
display or a club.
591.3.4
Wall - part of enclosure
- permitted
- exceptions
The wall of a building may form part of the required enclosure, except
where:
(a)
the main building entrance is located within the pool
enclosure; or
(b)
the service entrance to a multiple occupancy building con
taining more than four (4) dwelling units is located within
the pool enclosure; or
(c)
a utility meter or furnace oil filler pipe is located within the
pool enclosure.
591.3.5
Exterior - no attachments - prevention
of climbing
The required pool enclosure shall have no attachments on the exterior
face thereof such as horizontal or diagonal bracing, horizontal rails or
other appurtenances which would facilitate climbing.
0
JULY 1991
591.6
PETERBOROUGH
591.3.6
FENCES
- SWIMMING POOLS
591.3.13
591.3.6
Construction
- wood - chain link
- other
A fence or its equivalent, forming part of a pool enclosure shall be of
vertical boarded wood construction, chain link construction or of other
materials and construction as provided for in Sections 591.3.7 through
591.3.17 inclusive.
591.3.7
Chain link
- diamond mesh - maximum size
A fence or its equivaleni, forming part of a pool enclosure, if of chain
link construction, shall be not greater than 50 mm (2") diamond mesh.
591.3.8
Chain link - galvanized steel - coated - minimum gauge
A fence or its equivalent, forming part of a pool enclosure, if of chain
link construction, shall be constructed of galvanized steel wire not less
than No.12 gauge orofa minimum No.14 gauge steel wire with a vinyl
or other approved coating forming a total thickness equivalent to
No.12 gauge galvanized wire.
591.3.9
Chain link
- supports - specifications
A fence or its equivalenl, forming part of a pool enclosure, if of chain
link construction, shall be supported by at least 38mm (1.5') diameter
galvanized steel posts each covered by a minimum 51 mm (2') of
concrete from grade to a minimum of 0.91 metres (3') below grade
such posts to be spaced not more than 3.0 metres (10') apart.
"5913.10
Chain link - top - bottom - supports - required
A fence or its equivalent, forming part of a pool enclosure, if of chain
construction, shall have top and bottom horizontal rails of 32mm (1.25") mini
diameter galvanized steel, except that minimum 9 gauge galvanized steel wire
gauge wire with vinyl or other approved coating, forming a total thickness equiv
to 9 gauge galvanized wire, may be substituted for a bottom horizontal rail." (94-
591.3.11
Chain link
- vinyl - substituted
- for galvanized
A vinyl or other approved coating may be substituted for the gal
vanized coating on a fence of chain link construction.
591.3.12
Wood
- vertical boarding
- prevention of climbing
A fence or its equivalent, forming part of a pool enclosure, if of wood
construction, shall have the vertical boarding attached to supporting
member, all of which are arranged in such a manner so as not to
facilitate climbing from the outside.
591.3.13
Wood
- board dimensions - spacing
- requirements
The vertical boards on a fence of wood construction shall be no less
than 25 mm x 102mm (1" x 4") nominal dimensions spaced not more
than 38 mm (1.5) apart.
PETERBOROUGI4
591.7
JULY1991
i3.i4
PEN-gW1M1tNPo5L
i.4.4
591.3.14
Wood
- supports
- size
- depth
- spacing
A fence or its equivalent, forming part of a pool enclosure, if of wood
construction, shall be supported by a minimum of 102mm (4") square
or diameter wooden posts, nominal dimensions, spaced not more than
2.5 metres (8') on centres securely embedded to minimum of 0.91
metres (3') below grade.
591,3,15
WoodS posts - below gradeS treated
That portion of the wood post below grade on a fence of wood
construction shall be treated with a wood preservative if the same is
not "pressure treated".
591.3.16
Wood
- top
- bottom
supports - required
Top and bottom horizontal rails shall be provided of 51 mm x 102mm
(2" x 4") minimum nominal dimensions on a fence of wood construc
591.3.17
Barbed wire . electric dangerous - prohibited
A fence or its equivalent, forming part of a pool enclosure, shall
include no pad consisting of barbed wire or having similar dangerous
characteristics and no device for projecting an electric current through
the fence.
Article 4
GATES-ENTRANCES
Q
59L4.1
Gate
- height -construction
Gates which form a part of the fence around a privately-owned outdoor
swimming pool shall be equivalent to such height and of such construc
tion equivalent to that required for the fence.
591.4.2
Gate . supported substantial hinges
Gates which form a part of the fence around a privately-owned outdoor
swimming pool shall be supported on substantial hinges.
591.4.3
Gate- seIfclosing-latching - inside minimum height
Gates which form a part of the fence around a privately-owned outdoor
swimming pool shall be self-closing and self-latching with the latching
device at the top of and on the inside of the gate or a minimum of 3'6"
above grade.
591.4.4
Gates
- 2 adjacent - 1 fixed - or centre post
Where two gates are provided adjacent to one another, one gate shall
be permanently fixed in the closed position or a permanent centre post
shall be provided for the gates to close against and latch.
0
JULY 1991
591.8
PETERBOROUGH
591.4.5
FENCES
- SWIMMING POOLS
591.5.2
591.4.5
Doors- heights - construction
- safe - rigid
Doors which form a part of the pool enclosure but which do not lead
directly from a private dwelling unit shall be of such height and such
construction as will provide a degree of safety and rigidity equivalent
to or greater than that of the required fence.
591.4.6
floors - supported
- substantial hinges
Doors which form a part of the pool enclosure but which do not lead
directly from a private dwelling unit shall be supported on substantial
hinges.
591.4.7
Doors - self-closing - latching - inside - minimum height
Doors which form a part of the pool enclosure but which do not lead
directly from a private dwelling unit shall be self-closing and self-
latching with the latching device located at least 153 cm (60') above
the bottom of the door.
591.4.8
Locked
- when not supervised
Every person in possession of any lands on which a privately-owned
outdoor swimming pool or an above ground privately-owned swim
ming pool is located shall ensure that all entrances to the pool area
which form part of the swimming pool enclosure whether they be
doors, windows, gates or other openings to the pool area; shall be kept
locked at any time when a responsible person is not present and
supervising the pool.
Article 5
PERMITS
591.5.1
Required
- excavation - construction
- fee
No person shall excavate for, erect or construction a pool or a fence
around a privately-owned outdoor swimming pool unless and until a
permit therefore has been issued for a prescribed fee of $50.00 from
the Building Inspector.
591.5.2
Application
- plans - information
- requirements
Plans submitted with an application to construct or erect such fence
shall show the location of the swimming pool in relation to the property
boundary and to adjoining buildings and shall provide full details of
all fencing required to be erected.
PEERBOROUGH
591.9
JULY 1991
591.6.1
FENCES
- SWIMMING POOLS
591.72
Article 6
ABOVE GROUND SWIMMING POOLS
0
591.6.1
Fence
- not required
- pool wall -5 feet above grade
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Chapter, an enclosure
fence shall not be required around an above ground privately-owned
swimming pool where the outside wall of such pool is elevated at least
1.6 metres (5 feet) above the grade of the ground abutting such walls.
591.6.2
Entrance - gate
- self-closing - latching - height
Each and every entrance Loan above ground pool shall be protected by
a gate at least 1.3 metres (4 feet) height and have self-closing and
self-latching devices with a latching device at the top of and on the
inside of the gate.
591.6.3
Gates -2 adjacent - 1 fixed - or centre post
Where two gates are provided adjacent to one another, one gate shall
be permanently fixed in the closed position or a permanent centre post
shall be provided for both the gates to close against and latch.
Article 7
PLUMBING FACILITIES
591.7.1
Connection - backflow preventer - water supply - sewer
Where a swimming pool is connected to a plumbing system, the
potable water supply to the pool shall be protected by a backflow
preventer and the drain of the pool shall be protected from lhe backup
of sanitary sewage into the pool.
591.7.2
Hose bib
- for filling
- backuiow prevented
- required
Any hose bib used to fill a pool shall be protected by a backflow
preventer. By-law 1987-178, 8 September. 1987.
0
JULY 1991
591.10
PETERBOROUGH
591.8.1
FENCES-SWIMJvIINGPOOLS
591.9.1
Article $
ENFORCEMENT
591.8.1
Fine
- for contravention
Every person who contravenes this Chapter is guilty of an offence and
is liable to the penalty, as prescribed by applicable law, for each
offence. By-law 91-174,24 June, 1991.
591.8.2
Continuation - repetition
prohibited
When a person has been convicted of an offence under this Chapter,
the Provincial Offences Court or any court of competent jurisdiction
thereafter may, in addition to any other penalty imposed on the person
convicted, issue an order prohibiting the continuation or repetition of
the offence or the doing of any act or thing by the person convicted
directed toward the continuation or repetition of the offence.
Article 9
ENACTMENT
591.9.1
Effective date
This Chapter shall come into full force and effect on the first day of
January, 1988. By-law 1987-178,8 September, 1987.
Note: Except where otherwise expressly provided in this Chapter, and
pursuant to other provincial statutes, such as the Planning Act, the maxi
mum fme for violation of the Code is specified in section 62 of the
Provincial Offences Act, R.S.O. 1980, c. 400, which iidicates that a party
guilty of an offence is liable to afine of not more than five thousand dollars
($5000.00).
PETERBOROUGI-I
591.11
JULY 1991
0
0
0