Department of Development & Permits - Plan Review & Code Compliance Division

Swimming Pools

Private residential swimming pool means any swimming pool located on private residential property under the control of the homeowner, the use of which is limited to swimming or bathing by members of the homeowner's family and their invited guests.

Existing residential swimming pools do not require a yearly inspections; however, if the pool has not been maintained in a good condition and endanger the health, safety or life of any person, the Department of Development & Permits , Neighborhood Inspections will request the property owner to repair and maintain the swimming pool to meet the code for safety purposes.

Public swimming pool means any swimming pool, other than a private residential swimming pool serving an individual dwelling, intended to be used collectively by numbers of persons for swimming or bathing or therapeutic purposes, operated by any person, whether the owner, lessee, operator or concessionaire, regardless of whether a fee is charged for such use; including but not limited to commercial pools, community pools, apartment house pools, public or private school pools, gymnasium pools, health establishment pools, townhouse pools, condominium pools, mobile home park pools, homeowner association pools and spas and hot tubs.

Annual Inspection for Existing Public Swimming Pool

The Department of Development & Permits requires an annual pool inspections for public pool. This inspection is enforced in all public pools for the safety of citizens. The Pool Inspections Notification is delivered by mail to all commercial pool's owner or agent in April. Failure to comply with the pool inspection, the inspector will result in a "shut down" of the facility until compliance is obtained.

There is a pool inspection fee of $15.00 per a swimming pool or Jacuzzi/hot tub/spa. Please contact the Department of Development & Permits at (757) 382-8002 to schedule your pool inspection.

The code official may order a public swimming pool closed, if the pool is determined that a violation exists which endangers the life or safety of any person. The Department of Development & Permits does not issue certificates of occupancy for any premises on which a public swimming pool is located until a permit to operate such pool has been issued by the director of public health.

Effective April 1, 2005

Residential swimming pool applicants will be required to get a Pool Fence Affidavit signed by the property owner and notarized by the Notary Public.

A building permit for residential swimming pool will require a Pool Fence Affidavit signed by the property owner and notarized by the Notary Public. By completing the affidavit, the property owner assumes full responsibility to ensure that building permit for the pool fence enclosure is obtained and property will be protected by a fence or barrier during and after construction. The pool must be protected by a fence or barrier immediately once water is placed in the pool.

Our permit technician will verify that the Pool Fence Affidavit is submitted by the permit applicant and the property owner has initialed his/her name for an existing fence or new fence. A copy of the complete affidavit will be returned to the permit holder and the original form will be attached to the permit.

The swimming pool contractor is responsible for completing the installation of the pool and to ensure that all inspections of the work: building, electrical, mechanical and gas (if applicable) are finalized. The inspector shall inspect the fence or barrier protection as part of the final building inspection or at any other time as deemed necessary due to site conditions.

For more information, see the Building Code Guidelines For Home Pools.