Means a permanent or temporary outdoor artificial pool intended for bathing with a depth of 60 cm or more or equipped with a filtration system, such as an in-ground, semi-in-ground, above-ground or demountable pool (flexible wall, inflatable or not).

This does not include spas, other water basins or natural or artificial ponds.

Certificate of authorization

Before installing your pool, you must request and obtain a certificate of authorization (permit) from our service department.

Certificate cost: 30 $

Location

The pool must be located so that any part of its construction is at least :

• 1.5 metres (5 feet) from the pitch line;
• 2.4 metres (8 feet) from an opening in the basement of the main building;
• outside the front setback and front facades of the main building;
• No swimming pool may occupy more than 30% of the surface area of the lot on which it is installed.

Pool filter

The pool filter must be :

• 1 metre from any lot line;
• 1 meter from the pool;
• or be fenced in;
• or under a structure to prevent climbing.

The filtration system must be adapted to the pool and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

Scale

• All in-ground and semi-in-ground pools must be equipped with a ladder or staircase for entering and exiting the water.

Enclosure

• All swimming pools must be enclosed to protect access.
• Minimum height of 1.2 m.
• A wall forming part of an enclosure must not have any openings allowing access into the enclosure.
• However, such a wall may be fitted with a window if it is located at a minimum height of 3 m from the ground on the inside of the enclosure, or if its maximum opening does not allow the passage of a spherical object over 10 cm in diameter.
• Any door installed in an enclosure must have all the features provided for and be equipped with a passive safety device enabling it to close and lock automatically; and which may be installed either:
  - on the inside of the enclosure, in the upper part of the door;
  - on the outside of the enclosure, at a minimum height of 1.5 m.
• Must be securely and permanently fixed to the ground, free of any fastener, projection or added part that could facilitate climbing, and prevent the passage of a spherical object 10 cm in diameter.
• A snow fence made of wooden slats and wire, a hedge or shrubs cannot constitute an enclosure.

Mandatory fencing

• The fence must be 1.2 m (4 ft.) high, openwork to a maximum of 10 cm, or 3 cm in the case of a chain-link fence without slats.

Layout drawing

Distance

Placement prohibited on the site:

• Front setback: either 6 m (20 ft.) or 7.5 m (25 ft.) Check with our service department.
• Side margin: 1.5 m
• Rear margin: 1.5 m
• 2.4 m from main building if basement window

Front setback: variable setback (usually 20 ft. or 25 ft.) required from the street right-of-way (official lot line). See the Service Department for the precise front setback in your zone.

Any fixed structure or equipment that can be used to climb over the pool wall or enclosure, as the case may be, must also be installed at a distance of more than one meter from the pool wall or enclosure. This minimum distance applies to a window located less than 3 m from the ground, unless its maximum opening does not allow the passage of a spherical object more than 10 cm in diameter.

Environment and safety

The primary cause of drowning among young children is access to swimming pools. Coroner's data show that 56 children under the age of 4 drowned in Quebec between 1991 and 1999. For this age group, residential pools are the most frequent sites of drowning.

Before installing the pool, it's important to choose the most suitable location in relation to the immediate environment and the connection of electrical equipment.

In fact, water is a very good conductor of electricity, and a current leak in a pool's electrical equipment can cause a fatal shock.

A responsible adult must be present at all times when someone is in the pool. If this person is absent, even for a few minutes (to answer the phone, for example), the pool enclosure must be emptied and the gate locked until the person returns or is replaced.

All chemicals and accessories (buckets, cans, etc.) must be kept under lock and key at all times.

These safety tips are not part of municipal regulations.

Pools may be filled daily between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., but only once a year. (By-law no. 1803, art. 7.6)