Swimming Pools

Applications for Private Swimming Pool Building Licences

All private swimming pools, below or above ground, require a building licence. In order to expedite your building licence, the following information is required to be indicated on the site plan.

1. If an isolated fence is to be provided, the location of the fence must be clearly shown on the site plan.
   Any gate in the fence must open away from the pool and show that it is to be fitted with self closing and self latching mechanisms.
2. Where fences are provided between the dwelling and the boundary perimeter fence, the plan should indicate that they are unscaleable and 1200 or more in height. Any gates shall open away from the pool and it should be indicated that they will be fitted with self closing and self latching mechanisms.
3. Where it is proposed to use a wall of the dwelling as part of the swimming pool enclosure, the plan should indicate that any door which accesses the pool area is to be fitted with self closing and self latching mechanisms. The door may open in any direction.
4. Where there are windows within the pool enclosure, the sills of which are less than 1200 above floor level, it must be clearly indicated that the windows are to be fitted with a grille with apertures of not less than 100mm, or that devices will be fitted to the windows which will prevent them from being opened more than 100mm.

If all this information is correctly provided and, where relevant, engineer signed drawings of the proposed pool are also provided, there should be no delay in the issue of a building licence.

A building licence for a swimming pool will not be issued unless the dwelling has been completed and is occupied. Exceptions are concrete pools which must be fitted with an outlet, clearly indicated on the plan, so that stormwater or any other water will not collect in the pool. The principal building surveyor may also permit a fibreglass pool to be installed subject to the pool being covered with reinforcement mesh with maximum rod spacing of 100mm x 100mm.

The mesh is to be supported by suitable supports and tied to steel star pickets so that it cannot be accepting responsibility for ensuring the mesh will be maintained until suitable fences and gates are provided, must be provided before approval will be given.