The following information was compiled as a guide for residents who wish to install a pool (above- ground or in-ground), hot tub or spa. A swimming pool is defined as a pool intended for swimming or bathing, being 24 inches or greater in depth or having a surface area of 250 square feet or greater.

To obtain the permit for your pool, spa or hot tub, please bring the following information to the Department of Community Development in City Hall, 200 North Second Street, Suite 303, (636) 949-3227:

• A copy of your site plan showing location of the pool on your lot. Show dimensions from lot lines.

• Provide information from manufacturer showing that the pump is UL listed and showing pool specifications.

• The name of a licensed electrician who will do the electrical work.

• If a deck is to be built accessing the pool, submit the appropriate deck plans. Deck must be 5 feet from any property lines.

• The pool and any accompanying deck cannot be built on any easements.

• There are no regulations governing distance between a residence and a pool.

The review process takes approximately five working days.

The following is a list of code requirements for the electric and for the barrier which is required around the pool or spa. Please examine these requirements carefully, since the barrier/fence is the most misunderstood aspect of pool installations.

• All pools in excess of 24 inches in depth require a 4 foot high enclosure surrounding the pool area or yard.

• The top of the barrier shall be at least 48 inches above finished grade and should be measured on the outside of the fence. The maximum clearance between finished grade and the barrier is 2 inches.

• Solid barriers shall not contain indentations or protrusions.

• Barriers containing horizontal members spaced less than 45 inches apart must have those members located on the side of the barrier facing the pool. Decorative cutouts may not exceed 1 3/4 inches in width and spacing between vertical members may not be more than 1 3/4 inches.

• Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is 45 inches or more, spacing between vertical shall not exceed 4 inches.

• The mesh of chain link fences must not exceed 1 1/4 inches unless the fence is provided with slats fastened at the top and bottom which reduce the openings to no more than 1 3/4 inches.

• All access gates must swing out away from the pool, be self -closing and self-latching.

• The gate latch must be a minimum of 54 inches above grade. If lower, it must be on the pool side of the gate at least 3 inches below the top of the gate and any opening within 18 inches of the latch must not be larger than ½ inch.

• Any door from the residence with direct access to the pool must be equipped with an audible alarm which sounds within 7 seconds of the door being opened and continues to sound for at least 30 seconds. The alarm must automatically reset and an override switch located at least 54 inches above the door
threshold must be provided to temporarily deactivate the alarm for a maximum of 15 seconds.

• Where an above-ground pool is used as a barrier and the means of access is a fixed or removable ladder, the ladder must be surrounded by a barrier which meets the above requirements. A removable ladder will not constitute an acceptable alternative to the enclosure requirements.

• A receptacle that provides power for a pump motor shall be permitted between 5 and 10 feet from the inside wall of the pool and shall be protected by GFCI.

• For permanently installed pools, at least one 125-volt receptacle shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from and not more than 20 feet from the inside wall of the pool.

• Overhead electrical lines must maintain a minimum of 10 feet horizontally from the pool walls. Underground lines must maintain a 5 foot horizontal distance from the pool walls.

                                                                 DRAWINGS