Updated as of June 2018
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On and after the effective date of this ordinance, no private swimming pool shall be constructed, maintained or operated within the Borough of Paulsboro except as herein provided.
PRIVATE SWIMMING POOL — As used in this ordinance, shall mean any permanently installed or portable outdoor swimming pool with a side depth greater than 18 inches, constructed or maintained by any person for the use of himself, his family, or guests of himself and his family.
As used in this ordinance, shall mean any above surface type of swimming, bathing or wading pool with a side water depth in excess of 18 inches, not designed or intended to be stationary or permanently fixed to the premises and capable of being removed for storage.
71-3Registration of existing permanent pools; exemptions.
All permanently installed private swimming pools constructed prior to the passage of this ordinance shall be registered with the Building inspector within 60 days after the effective date of this ordinance. Registration forms and whatever supplementary information as may be required shall be filed in duplicate.
Permanently installed private swimming pools constructed prior to the passage of this ordinance shall be exempt from the following provisions of this ordinance unless enlargement of facilities is sought:
Section 71-4 pertaining to applications, permits and fees for new construction.
Section 71-9 pertaining to location of pools.
71-4Permanent swimming pools: requirements for obtaining permit.
No person shall construct or enlarge a private swimming pool, portable pools excepted, within the Borough of Paulsboro, without first having obtained a permit from the Building Inspector.
All applications for permits shall be filed in duplicate on such form or forms as may be required by the Building Inspector and shall be accompanied by duplicate sets of the following:
Plans and specifications for the proposed swimming pool, showing piping arrangements, pumps and all auxiliary structures and appurtenances related thereto.
A plot plan drawn to scale, showing the entire lot upon which the proposed pool is to be constructed, and indicating thereon the exact size, shape and location of said pool and the distance therefrom to the property lines and to all structures on said lot, and showing thereon the location of the enclosure or fence called for in § 71-11 herein.
In addition to such other information as may be required by the Building inspector, said application shall include the following:
A clear description of the enclosure or fence required in § 71-11 herein, describing the type of material to be used, the height thereof and the number of gates or doors.
All information pertaining to the method proposed to dispose of the waste water from the swimming pool, and means of emptying the pool.
Details and specifications for water treatment units.
All applications for permits shall be accompanied by a fee of $10, to defray the cost of processing the application and inspecting the site before and after issuance of the permit.
Upon the filing of a properly executed application, the Building Inspector shall forthwith file the duplicate application and accompanying information with the Board of Health.
Within 45 days after receipt of a properly executed application, the Building Inspector shall issue a permit for the construction of such pool, if the same complies with the provisions of this ordinance, the requirements of the Sanitary Code, the Building Code, the Zoning Ordinance and other pertinent ordinances and regulations, and has received approval from the Board of Health of the Borough of Paulsboro.
The permit issued and the fee paid hereunder shall be in addition to any permits and fees which may be required by the Board of Health to regulate the operation of swimming pools in a sanitary manner.
71-5Portable swimming pools: application, permits and fees.
Application for permits and fees for portable swimming pools.
No person shall install a portable private swimming pool without having first obtained a permit from the Building Inspector.
All applications for permits shall be filed in duplicate on such form or forms as may be required by the Building Inspector, giving the information requested therein. Every portable swimming pool shall meet the requirements with regards to a fence to enclose it in § 71-11 of this ordinance, unless it is covered securely or emptied when it is unattended by an adult or not in use.
All permits shall be valid for a period of three years from the date of issuance, after which they shall be renewed. Each application shall be accompanied by a fee of $1 to defray the cost of processing the application and inspecting the site.
Section 71-4E and G herein shall also apply to any pools installed or maintained under this section.
71-6Permanent pools: material and construction.
All private permanent swimming pools shall be constructed and installed in such manner as to be waterproof and susceptible of being readily cleaned. Sand or earth bottoms shall not be permitted. The bottom and sides of the pool shall be either white or a light color, but no aluminum or toxic paint may be used as a finish.
In addition to the provisions of this ordinance, the construction, installation, maintenance and operation of any private swimming pool shall be subject to any regulations now or hereafter provided in the Sanitary Code of the Borough of Paulsboro.
The water in every private swimming pool shall be so maintained at all times as to comply with the physical, chemical and bacteriological standards established by the Board of Health of the Borough of Paulsboro. The Board of Health is authorized to take whatever samples of the water it may deem necessary, all of which shall be considered as one sample during the period of one day. Free chlorine residuals and pH values shall be maintained within the following ranges:
| pH | Free Chlorine Residual
(parts per million) |
||
| 7.0 – 7.6 | 0.4 – 0.6 | ||
| 8.0 – 8.4 | 2.0 – 5.0 | ||
| No one having any communicable disease or being the carrier of any such disease shall be permitted to be
Immersed in or to use a private pool. |
|||
Physical connections between potable water systems and swimming pool circulation systems shall not be permitted. Potable water for makeup and filling purposes shall be introduced into the pool by means of a discharge pipe turned downward, either over a float-controlled surge tank or over the pool itself, having in either case an air gap of at least four inches between the orifice of the discharge pipe and the pool or tank overflow level.
All private swimming pools having a capacity of 900 gallons or more shall have a filtration system which shall be adequate to filter properly the maximum amount of water which can be placed therein.
Provision shall be made for drainage of the pool and for backwash water disposal. No nuisance shall be created by virtue of disposal of such waste water from any pool.
Permission for the use of storm or sanitary sewers may be obtained from the Superintendent of Public Works upon written application and approval, providing the applicant agrees to regulations established by the Department of Public Works.
In no case shall the size of the discharge pipe connecting to a storm or sanitary sewer exceed four inches.
71-9Restrictions as to location.
No private swimming pool shall be constructed or installed on any lot unless:
Upon said lot shall be located a residence dwelling, as defined in the Zoning Ordinance[1] of the Borough of Paulsboro, or unless said lot shall be located immediately adjacent to the owner’s residence.
Editor’s Note: See Ch. 80, Zoning.
The distance from the side lines of any lot to the closest outside face of the pool shall be not less than six feet on one side, and not less than nine feet on the other side.
The distance from the inside face of the pool to any residence shall not be less than 10 feet.
The distance between the street on which the property fronts and the fence as required in § 71-11 shall be not less than the setback as established by the Zoning Ordinance of the Borough of Paulsboro, and in no event shall said fence have a setback less than any existing structure on said lot.
The distance from the rear lot line and the inside face of the closest pool wall be not less than 10 feet.
All pumps and filtration systems be located not closer than five feet from any property line.
All outside lights for illumination of the pool and the surrounding area shall be so installed and maintained as to eliminate glare or annoyance to adjoining properties.
All permanent private swimming pools shall be completely enclosed by a wood, plastic or metal fence of durable construction six feet in height from the level of the surrounding area. Said fence may have gaps, openings or slots not greater than three inches wide.
Every gate or door opening through such enclosure shall be of the same height as the fence or wall enclosure and shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device, which shall keep such gate or door securely closed at all times. In addition, the gate shall be locked by means of a key-operated lock or other means at all times when the pool is not in use.
All portable swimming pools shall be completely enclosed by a permanent barrier, fence or obstruction not less than 42 inches nor more than eight feet in height, which enclosure shall bar all reasonable and normal access to such pool, except for a substantial self-closing gate or gates of a height of not less than 42 inches equipped with facilities for locking said gate when the pool is unattended and unguarded. The fence or barrier shall be constructed in such a manner as to prevent footholds so that young children cannot gain access by climbing. Every gate or door opening through such enclosure shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device capable of keeping such gates and doors securely closed. It shall be deemed that there is sufficient compliance with this section when the owner’s entire property is completely enclosed by a fence not less than 42 inches in height with gates of the above-mentioned type. Any access ladder or step that is used in connection with portable pools must be removed or retracted from such pools when the same are not used.[2]
Editor’s Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
Editor’s Note: See Ch. 32, Fences.
The police, Sanitary Inspector and Building Inspector have the right to inspect pool areas and appurtenances.
71-13Violations and penalties.
Any person or persons violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding $200 or by imprisonment not exceeding 90 days, or both.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this ordinance.
71-15Inconsistent ordinances repealed.
Any other ordinance or ordinances in conflict with any of the provisions are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency or conflict.
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