Pools & Spas

PERMIT REQUIREMENTS  In order to obtain a pool or a spa permit, two (2) copies of a site plan and structural details (gunite pools/spas only) must be submitted with the engineer’s stamp on each sheet including the site plan. Portable spas require a permit also.

POOL LOCATION PER APPROVED PLAN

Measurements are taken from the inside wall of the pool or spa. All pools, spas, and related equipment must be a minimum distance if five feet from property lines. Pools in yards adjacent to street are not permitted. Therefore, it must be set per approved plans prior to calling for the first inspection. Any change in location must be approved prior to the inspections.

POOL ENCLOSURE
The pool shall be enclosed by an enclosure no less than 60 inches in height and construction such that no gaps or voids in the  enclosure, will allow the passage of the sphere equal to or greater than four inches in diameter.  The outside surface of the enclosure shall be free of any protrusions, cavities, or other such characteristics that would serve as handholds or footholds for climbing. 

All gates on such enclosures must be self-closing and be equipped with  a self-latching device placed no lower than 60 inches above the ground.  If the house provides part of the enclosure around the pool, all doors from the house leading   into the pool area shall be equipped with one of the following: an alarm and shall be self-closing and self-latching with a latching mechanism placed no  lower than 54 inches above the floor.  In lieu of the alarm or self-latching self-closing doors, a safety pool cover may be installed per ASTM Standard F1346-91.

CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

All pool construction shall confirm to expansive soil details unless a soils report indicates otherwise. Use surcharge details as necessary.

Note: 1. Continuous inspection by special licensed inspector required on pools constructed of gunite. 2. All reinforcing steel have a minimum 3" concrete cover.

OUTDOOR HEATER INSTALLATION

All mechanical shall be set on concrete base above grade. Have manufacturer’s installation instructions available on job for inspection. The heater vent termination must be a minimum of 4 feet from any door, window or gravity air inlet into any building, measured from the closest edge of the vent. Clearance to any wall shall be per manufacturer’s installation instructions and listing and shall not be closer than five(5) feet from any property line. The heater must have working space at access door.

PLUMBING

PVC plastic, schedule 40, pipe and fittings may be used for circulating piping systems. The entire system shall be tested and must hold a static water or air pressure test of not less than 35 psi for 15 minutes. PVC water and air lines to be painted to be protected from ultraviolet rays. A length of plumbing (36" minimum) is required between the filter and the fossil fuel heater for the future addition of solar heating appropriate installation standards. A minimum of two outlets are required and must be separated by a minimum of three feet. All outlets shall be covered by an anti-vortex cover.

GAS PIPING

• METALLIC PIPE - Metallic piping installed underground is prohibited

• NON METALLIC PIPE - Must be PVC plastic, schedule 40. The words "Natural Gas" must appear on the piping. PVC cannot be used above ground. Transition from PVC to metal shall be made with an approved transition fitting only. The horizontal metallic portion of the riser shall extend a minimum of thirty inches (30") before connecting to the plastic pipe. Piping must be buried a minimum of 18 inches below grade (or 12 inches if below concrete). Pressure test is required and must hold 10 psi for 15 minutes. A copper tracer wire (min. #18 AWG) shall be installed with PVC gas piping.

Never cover or conceal piping until inspected and approved. For correct pipe size see Section 513, 1991 Uniform Swimming Pool Code. Do not install or connect gas lines to meter or appliance until pressure test has been approved. Gas shut-off valve required outside of, and within 3 feet of heater.

ELECTRICAL

Permanently installed pools or spas shall have at least one 125-volt convenience receptacle located a minimum of 10 feet from and not more than 20 feet from the inside wall of the pool / spa. Receptacles located within 20 feet of the inside walls of a pool / spa shall be protected by G.F.C.I.. Pool light must have a metallic or nonmetallic raceway. Where rigid nonmetallic conduit is used, a No. 8 insulated copper conductor shall be installed. Junction boxes shall be located 4 feet minimum from pool and 8 inches minimum above flood level or ground level, whichever is greater. Pool light branch circuit to be G.F.C.I. protected. Light fixtures closer than 5 feet horizontally from pools edge shall be a minimum of 12 feet above water level. Overhead electrical and communication lines shall be shown on plans if they occur. Indicate height and horizontal distances from edge of pool.

All metal parts or components within 5 feet of the inside wall of the pool / spa (includes metal straps for posts; metal fences; window and door frames; etc.) ; any enclosures (timer cans, switch boxes, etc.) ; and if a pool light is installed, the housing and junction box thereof shall be bonded with a No.8 AWG unspliced solid copper conductor.

Electrical conduit may be PVC plastic, schedule 40, below grade. It must be a minimum of 18 inches deep (or 4 inches deep when covered with concrete). Must be U.L. listed conduit. Above ground, may be PVC plastic schedule 80 sunlight resistant, or rigid galvanized steel.

STATE ENERGY CODE

All swimming pools / spas with fossil-fuel heaters must contain the following measures mandated by the State Energy Code.

• Any fossil-fueled swimming pool heater shall have a thermal efficiency of at least 75 percent and shall be so identified on the plans and the heater.

• Outdoor pools equipped with a fossil-fuel or electric heater shall also be equipped with a pool cover. Pool cover to be on pool at time of final inspection.

• Heater On-Off switch mounted on the outside of the heater for easy access to allow shutting off the operation of the heater without adjusting the thermostat setting and to allow retarting without the relighting the pilot light.

• Time clock on recirculating pump.

• Directional water inlets for good mixing of pool water.