Kohler said there are two major safety concerns associated with the need for permits: electrical shock and making sure pools are secured to protect children. Kohler said city inspectors want to make sure that residents have their pools plugged into a properly grounded electrical system and they are within a fenced in area to keep out toddlers and children.
“We’ve had some frightening instances where residents have put these pools in their front yard and run ungrounded extension cords across a wet lawn with no fence around it,” Kohler said. “People have even placed these pools underneath electrical lines, which is also not a good idea.”
City code calls for the following:
• A building permit application must be completed that includes a plot plan that indicates that the pool is within a fenced area with self locking gates and at least four feet in height. The plan also must indicate that the pool is located at least 6 feet from any structures, underground septic systems or 10 feet from overhead electric lines.
• The building permit application must also indicate if the pool contains an electrical re-circulating pump. If the pool contains an electrical re-circulating pump, it must be connected to a ground faulted electrical source. The plot plan must indicate the location of the source.
• If the pool contains an electrical re-circulating pump and a ground fault supply does not exist, then an electrical permit must also be completed in order to install the required ground fault electrical receptacle.
The building permit application charge is $70 if a ground fault supply is in place or the owner installs the ground fault supply, Kohler said. The charge is $120.50 if a contractor is hired to install an new ground fault supply. After the first inspection, the city will charge a $35 re-inspection fee for each additional inspection needed to verify compliance with the safety standards.
For addition information, residents can call (513) 425-7975.