Updated as of June 2018
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Article I: Private Swimming Pools
[Adopted 5-23-1966]
As used in this article, the following words, terms and phrases shall have the following meanings:
A fence, wall or other substantial barrier not less than four feet high with a self-closing, self-latching gate of the same height as the fence and of such character as reasonably to prevent access to the pool. A dwelling or accessory building may be used as part of such “fence.” The gate shall be locked at all times when the swimming pool is not in use. No part of the said “fence” shall be nearer than five feet to said pool. The “fence” shall be constructed in such a way that no person may gain access to the pool beneath or through said “fence.” All existing private swimming pools shall be fenced within 60 days after adoption of this article.
A body of water artificially constructed, in whole or in part, having a depth at any point greater than 18 inches when full, located outdoors within 500 feet of any residence other than that to which it is appurtenant, used or intended to be used for swimming, bathing, wading, etc., by the owner of the pool and members of his or her household or other guests.
88-2Compliance by certain irrigation ponds.
Irrigation ponds within 500 feet of any residence, other than one located on the property to which the irrigation pond is appurtenant, shall comply with the provisions of this article.
88-3Fencing required; exceptions.
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to maintain a private swimming pool or an irrigation pond as herein set forth not completely surrounded by a fence, except that portable private swimming pools erected above the ground shall be either:
Emptied when not in use and unattended, or
Covered with a suitably strong protective covering sufficient to support 200 pounds, securely fastened or locked in place, when not in use or unattended; or
Completely surrounded by a fence.
Nothing herein contained shall require a portable private swimming pool erected above the ground to a height of at least four feet to be completely surrounded by a fence, provided that any and all steps, ladders or other approaches leading into said pool are removed at all times when the said pool is not in use and is unattended.
[Amended 4-10-1978 by Ord. No. 0-78-7]
Violators of the provisions of this article shall be punished, upon conviction, by a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment in the Middlesex County Jail for not more than 90 days, or both.
Each and every day in which any violation exists shall be a separate offense.
Article II: Public Swimming Pools
[Adopted 5-8-1978 as Ord. No. 0-78-11]
88-5Standards adopted by reference.
A code regulating and controlling the location and construction, alteration and operation of swimming pools, the issuance of licenses to locate and construct, alter or operate swimming pools and declaring and defining certain swimming pools as nuisances and fixing penalties for violations is hereby adopted, pursuant to c. 188, P.L, 1950 (N.J.S.A. 26:3-69.1 to 3-69.6). A copy of said code is annexed hereto and made a part hereof without inclusion of the text thereof herein.
88-6Title; clarification of term.
The said code established and adopted by this Article is described and commonly known as the “Swimming Pool Code of New Jersey (1970).” Pursuant to the definition of “swimming pool” contained within the aforementioned code, this article shall not include within its control naturally or artificially constructed outdoor ponds, rivers or lakes or swimming or wading pools established or maintained upon any premises by any individual for his own or his family’s use or use by guests of his household.
Three copies of the said Swimming Pool Code of New Jersey (1970) have been placed on file in the office of the Clerk of Plainsboro Township upon introduction of this article and will remain on file in said office for use and examination by the public.
88-8Amendments and additions to standards.
The first sentence of Section 2.1 of the code shall be changed to read as follows: “Licenses or permits shall not be issued until the administrative authority has received and approved a letter or application therefor, together with letters of approval as to the structural plans from the Building Department, as to the location of a pool from the Zoning Officer, and final plans…..,” the balance of said first sentence to remain unchanged.
The plans, specifications and reports required by Section 2.2(a) of said code shall also include the following:
| Soil logs prepared in strict conformity with the directions and procedures for the same established by the Construction Official for the Township of Plainsboro.
A temporary four-foot fence, not less than 10 feet from all construction activities, to be erected and maintained until permanent fencing is completed. |
The following sentence shall be added to Section 3.1 of said code: “In areas determined by the administrative authority to have a high water table, the site shall be prepared, prior to the construction of any rigid pool, with suitable hydrostatic relief providing positive and continuous drainage from under and beside the pool.”
The following sentence shall be added to Section 3.8 of said code: “Such conspicuous marking at change of slope locations shall include a horizontal life line, having colored floats at no greater than five-foot intervals, installed two feet toward the shallower portion of the pool from the change of slope. Such life line shall be securely fastened in recessed, hazard-free wall anchors of corrosion-resistant materials.”
The following clause shall be added to Section 3.13 of said code: “, with a maximum eight-inch rise between step treads.”
The following new subsections shall be added to Section 3.16 of said code:
| (c) | The current version of said Electrical Code shall apply. | |
| (e) | Separate switching shall be provided for all underwater lighting at each end of the pool. |
The following sentence shall be added to Section 4.3 of said code: “This headroom shall be measured from the center of the front end of the diving board or stand, and shall extend at least eight feet to each side and 16 feet ahead of the measuring point.”
The following sentence shall be added to Section 6.4 of said code: “Complete instructions, in duplicate, shall be furnished, complete with such drawings and tagging of all drains and valves as are necessary to clearly define required maintenance procedures. In addition, all pipes shall be color-coded: green for city or potable water, red for waste water, yellow for circulating, etc., and otherwise to the satisfaction of the administrative authority.”
The following clause shall be added to Section 8.5 of said code: “provided that use of such other materials or methods has been approved in writing in advance of such use by the administrative authority.”
A new Section 10.6 of said code shall be added as follows:
| 10.6 Exemption — No swimming pool constructed as part of an apartment/housing complex and limited solely to use by residents and their guests shall be required to provide either dressing rooms or bathhouses pursuant to this section. |
A new Section 11.5 of said code shall be added as follows:
| 11.5 Exemption — No swimming pool constructed as part of an apartment/housing complex and limited solely to use by residents and their guests shall be required to provide showers pursuant to this section. |
A new Section 12-4 of said code shall be added as follows:
| 12.4 Exemption — No swimming pool constructed as part of an apartment/housing complex and limited solely to use by residents and their guests shall be required to provide toilets and lavatories pursuant to this section.
|
The following shall be added to Section 13.1 of said code: “The shepherd’s crooks shall be at least 10 feet in length for pools up to 20 feet in width, and 15 feet in length for pools wider than 20 feet. The life lines attached to each ring shall be not less than 1 1/2 times the width of the pool measured at its widest point.”
No person shall locate and construct, alter or operate a swimming pool until licenses therefor shall have been issued by the Construction Official.
The following fees and charges are herewith established:
For the issuance of a license to locate and construct a swimming pool: $10.
For the issuance of a license to alter a swimming pool: $10.
For the issuance or renewal of a license to operate a swimming pool:
[Amended 11-2-1984 by Ord. No. 0-84-20; 12-9-1998 by Ord. No. 0-98-24]
Seasonal pool: $175.
Year round pool: $350.
For the issuance or renewal of a license to operate a spa/hot tub:
[Added 12-9-1998 by Ord. No. 0-98-24]
Seasonal spa: $175.
Year round spa: $350.
88-11Term of license; renewal.
Licenses issued for the operation of a swimming pool shall expire annually on April 1 of each year, and application for renewal thereof shall be submitted, together with the required fee, prior to March 31 of each year.
88-12Denial or suspension of license; hearing.
Licenses required by this article or code may be denied or suspended by the Construction Official for failure to comply with this article or code.
Any person whose license to locate and construct, alter or operate has been denied or suspended shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard before the Township Committee at a public hearing and following said hearing to be informed by that Committee’s decision as hereafter provided by Section 2 of the code.
88-13Violations and penalties.
Any person or persons, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this article or the Swimming Pool Code of New Jersey (1970) made a part hereof shall, upon conviction thereof, pay a penalty of not less than $25 nor more than $200 for each violation.
Each day a particular violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
For more information on New Jersey pool fencing laws and regulations, or if you are interested in what designs work best around your pool, visit Carl’s at www.bycarls.com or call 732-504-3372.
