Chapter 75. Swimming Pools

Chapter 75 SWIMMING POOLS

§ 75-1. Definitions.

§ 75-2. Applicability.

§ 75-3. Compliance with provisions required.

§ 75-4. Plans and permits.

§ 75-5. Filing of application; approval or rejection.

§ 75-6. Fees.

§ 75-7. Design and construction.

§ 75-8. Water supply; treatment and drainage systems.

§ 75-9. Appurtenant structures and accessories.

§ 75-10. Safety precautions.

§ 75-11. Emergency equipment for all public and semipublic swimming pools.

§ 75-12. Supervision and maintenance of public and semipublic swimming pools.

§ 75-13. Violations and penalties.

§ 75-14. Severability.

§ 75-15. When effective.

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Gloucester 5-6-60 as Ord. No. 256. Amendments noted where applicable.]

General References

Building Code - See the BOCA Uniform Building Code.

Sewer: Connections, rates and charges - See Ch. 70.

Zoning - See Ord. No. 0-83-26A.

Plumbing Code - See National Standard Plumbing Code.

Sanitary sewer connections - See Ch. 98.

Be it ordained by the Township Council of the Township of Gloucester, in the County of Camden and State of New Jersey, as follows:

§ 75-1. Definitions.

The words, terms or phrases hereinafter listed in this ordinance shall be defined and interpreted as follows:

APPROVED - Accepted or acceptable under applicable specifications state in this ordinance or accepted or suitable for the proposed use under the procedures and powers of administration delegated in this ordinance.

BOARD OF HEALTH - Includes the representative of the Board of Health or other duly authorized representative thereof, except in such case when the Board is referred to in a manner that contem­plates action by it as a body.

CONSTRUCT - The construction, building, erection, creation or installation of a new swimming pool, portable pool or wading pool, as above defined, or the enlargement of an existing pool, as aforesaid, or of any of its facilities.

INSPECTOR - Includes the Building Inspector.

PERSON - Includes natural persons, corporations, companies, associations, partnerships and joint-stock companies.

PORTABLE POOL - Includes any above-surface swimming, bathing or wading pool that is constructed of canvas, rubber, plastic or other material and which is not designed or intended to be stationary or permanently fixed but one which is so designed and intended as to be removable and storable.

PRIVATE SWIMMING POOL - Any constructed pool which is used or intended to be used as a swimming pool in connection with a single-family residence and available only to the family of the householder and his private guests. (Added 10-14-81 by Ord. No. 0-81-37.)

PUBLIC OR SEMI-PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL - Any swimming pool, other than a private swimming pool, shall be classified as a public or semipublic swimming pool. (Added 10-14-81 by Ord. No. 0-81-37)

SWIMMING POOL - Includes a private, public or semipublic pool which is either outdoor or indoor, above or below grade level, and which is installed and constructed to provide recreational facilities for swimming, bathing and wading, and whether perma­nently constructed or of the portable type and the depth of which pool is more than eighteen (18) inches below the level of the surround land, or an above-surface pool having a depth of more than thirty (30) inches. For purposes of this ordinance, pools are classified a private swimming pools or public and semipublic swimming pools as defined below. (Amended 10-14-81 by Ord. No. 0-81-37.)

TOWNSHIP INSPECTOR - Includes the Building Inspector or other duly authorized representative thereof.

WADING POOL - A private pool, as above described, which is not designed for or capable of being used for swimming and one which is not included within the definition of "swimming pool" afore­said.

§ 75-2. Applicability.

A. This ordinance shall not be applicable to permanently installed swimming pools, portable pools or wading pools, as aforesaid, which have been constructed prior to the passage of this ordinance, except that such pools shall not be subject to requirements of § 75-7 unless an enlargement of facilities is sought.

B. Persons having or maintaining pools as aforesaid are exempt from the requirements of obtaining permits and payment of fees therefor as hereinafter mentioned, unless an enlarge­ment of facilities is sought.

C. Pools, as aforesaid, shall be subject to all of the provisions and regulations relating to safety and sanitation as hereinafter set forth and which may hereinafter be enacted by the Township of Gloucester or any of its agencies.

D. The provisions of this ordinance shall not apply to wading pools, however, unless specific reference is made in any section herein to such type of pool.

§ 75-3. Compliance with provisions required.

It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, maintain, install or create a swimming or bathing pool in the Township of Gloucester without first having complied with the provisions of this ordinance.

§ 75-4. Plans and Permits.

(Amended 10-14-81 by Ord. No. 0-81-37.)

A. Permits. A swimming pool or appurtenances thereto shall not be constructed, installed, enlarged or altered until a permit has been obtained from the building official. The approval of all municipal, county and state authorities, where required, shall be obtained before applying to the building official for a permit. Certified copies of these approvals shall be filed as part of the supporting data for the application for the permit.

B. Plans. Plans shall accurately show dimensions and construction of pool and appurtenances and properly estab­lished distances to lot lines, buildings, walks and fences, details of water supply system, drainage and water disposal systems and all appurtenances pertaining to the swimming pool. Detailed plans of structures, vertical elevations and sections through the pool showing depth shall be included.

C. Locations. Private swimming pools shall not encroach on any front or side yard required by this Code or the governing zoning law. A wall of a swimming pool shall be located not less than ten (10) feet from any rear or side property line or thirty (30) feet from any street property line.

§ 75-5. Filing of application; approval or rejection.

A. Upon the filing of an application for a permit hereunder, properly executed, the Building Inspector shall forthwith file the duplicate application and accompanying plan and specifications with the Board of Health for its recommenda­tions and approval.

B. The Building Inspector, within thirty (30) days after receiving a properly executed application for a permit as aforesaid, shall act upon the same in the following manner:

1. Approve the application submitted and cause a permit to be issued therefor.

2. Approve the application subject to any correction, modifications, additional information required to be furnished in order to assure proper compliance with the provisions of this ordinance. Upon receipt of the application so amended, the Building Inspector shall cause a permit to be issued.

3. Reject the application when it is determined that a permit should not be issued. In case of such a re­jection, an appeal therefor shall be available to applicant in the manner hereinafter provided.

§ 75-6. Fees.

A. The fee accompanying an application for a permit to construct, install, enlarge and maintain a swimming or bathing pool, as aforesaid, authorized under this ordinance, shall be as follows:

1. For installation of a new swimming or bathing pool, as aforesaid, whether permanent or stationary in nature, or for enlargement of such existing swimming or bathing pool, as aforesaid, a charge of five dollars ($5.), and one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) for each five hundred dollars ($500.) of the estimated cost of construction or fraction thereof.

2. No payment shall be required for a portable pool as defined in this ordinance.

B. The fees required in the foregoing subsection are intended to defray the cost of processing the application and the cost of inspection of the site before and after issuance of the permit.

C. The permit issued and the fee paid hereunder shall be in addition to any permits and fees which may be required by the Board of Health for the location and operation of a swimming or bathing pool in a sanitary manner and to defray the inspection and examination costs incident thereto.

§ 75-7. Design and construction.

(Added 10-14-81 by Ord. No. 0-81-37 )

A. Structural design. The pool structure shall be engineered and designed to withstand the expected forces to which it will be subjected.

B. Wall slopes. To a depth up to five (5) feet from the top, the wall slope shall not be more than two (2) feet horizon­tal in five (5) feet vertical.

C. Floor slopes. The slope of the floor on the shallow side of transition point shall not exceed one (1) foot verticle to seven (7) feet horizontal. The transition point between shallow and deep water shall not be more than five (5) feet deep.

D. Surface cleaning. All swimming pools shall be provided with a recirculating skimming device or overflow gutters to remove scum and foreign matter from the surface of the water. Where skimmers are used there shall be at least one (1) skimming device for each one thousand (1,000) square feet of surface area or fraction thereof. Where overflow gutters are used, they shall be not less than three (3) inches deep, pitched one-fourth (¼) inch per foot to drains and constructed so they are safe, cleanable and that matter entering the gutters will not be washed out by a sudden surge of entering water.

E. Walkways. All public or semipublic swimming pools shall have walkways not less than four (4) feet in width, extend­ing entirely around the pool. Where curbs or sidewalks are used around any swimming pool, they shall have a nonslip surface for a width of not less than one (1) foot at the edge of the pool and shall be so arranged to prevent return of surface water to the pool.

F. Steps and ladders. One (1) or more means of egress shall be provided from the pool. Treads of steps or ladders shall have nonslip surfaces and handrails on both sides, except that handrails may be omitted when they are not more than four (4) steps or when they extend the full width of the side or end of the pool.

§ 75-8. Water supply; treatment and drainage systems.

(Added 10-14-81 by Ord. No. 0-81-37²)

A. Water supply. All swimming pools shall be provided with a potable water supply, free of cross connections with the pool or its equipment.

B. Water treatment.

1. Public and semipublic swimming pools shall be designed and installed so that there is a pool water turnover at least once every eight (8) hours. Filters shall not filter water at a rate in excess of three (3) gallons per minute per square foot of surface area. The treatment system shall be so designed and installed to provide in the water, at all times when the pool is in use, excess chlorine of not less than four-tenths (0.4) parts per million (ppm) or more than six-tenths (0.6) parts per million or excess chloramine between seven tenths (0.7) and one and zero-tenths (1.0) parts per million or disinfection may be provided by other approved means. Acidity-alkalinity of the pool water shall not be below seven point zero (7.0) or more than seven point five (7.5). All recirculation systems shall be provided with an approved hair and lint strainer installed in the system ahead of the pump.

2. Private swimming pools shall be designed and installed so that there is a pool water turnover at least once every eighteen (18) hours. Filters shall not filter water at a rate in excess of five (5) gallons per minute per square foot of surface area. The pool owner shall be instructed in proper care and maintenance of the pool by the supplier or builder, including the use of hightest calcium hypochlorite (dry chlorine) or sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine) or equally effective germicide and algacide and the importance of proper pH (alkalinity and acidity) control.

C. Drainage systems. The swimming pool and equipment shall be equipped to be completely emptied of water, and the discharged water shall be disposed of in an approved manner that will not create a nuisance to adjoining property.

§ 75-9. Appurtenant structures and accessories.*

(Added 10-14-81 by Ord. No. 0-81-37 )

A. Appurtenant structures. All appurtenant structues, installations and equipment, such as showers, dressing rooms, equipment houses or other buildings and structures, including plumbing, heating, air conditioning, amongst others appurtenant to a swimming pool, shall comply with all applicable requirements of this code and the Zoning Law.

B. Accessories. All swimming pool accessories shall be designed, constructed and installed so as not to be a safety hazard. Installations or structures for diving purposes shall be properly anchored to ensure stability and properly designed and located for maximum safety.

§ 75-10. Safety precautions.

(Added 10-14-81 by Ord. No. 0-81-37 )

A. Equipment installations. Pumps, filters and other mechanical and electrical equipment for public and semipub­lic swimming pools shall be enclosed in such a manner as to be accessible only to authorized persons and not to bathers. Construction and drainage shall be such as to avoid the entrance and accumulation of water in the vicinity of electrical equipment.

B. Swimming pool safety devices. Every person owning land on which there is situated a swimming pool, which contains twenty-four (24) inches or more of water in depth at any point, shall erect and maintain thereon an adequate enclosure­ sure either surrounding the property or pool area sufficient to make such body of water inaccessible to small children. Such enclosure, including gates therein, must be not less than four (4) feet above the underlying ground; all gates must be self-latching with latches placed four (4) feet above the underlying ground or otherwise made inaccessible from the outside to small children. A natural barrier, hedge, pool cover or other protective device approved by the governing body may be used so long as the degree of pro­tection afforded by the substituted devices or structures is not less than the protection afforded by the enclosure, gate and latch described herein.

§ 75-11. Emergency equipment for all public and semipublic swimming pools.

(Added 10-14-81 by Ord. No. 0-81-37.)

A. Rescue equipment. Public and semipublic swimming pools shall be equipped with at least two (2) poles or shepherd's crooks. There shall also be provided at least two (2) life rings at least fourteen (14) inches in diameter with a sufficient length of one-fourth-inch line firmly attached to each ring. Such equipment shall be properly stored and readily accessible.

B. Emergency equipment. Public and semipublic swimming pools shall be equipped with a minimum of first-aid equipment listed below, which shall be properly stored and readily available at all times when the pool is open for use:

1. Aromatic ammonia.

2. Tincture of iodine or equivalent.

3. Individually compressed sterile guaze.

4. Absorbent cotton.

5. Adhesive tape.

6. Bandages of various widths.

7. Rubbing alcohol.

C. Personnel. At least one (1) person capable of administering first aid shall be in attendance at all times when the pool is open for use.

§ 75-12. Supervision and maintenance of public and semipublic swimming pools.

(Added 10-14-81 by Ord. No. 0-81-37 )

A. General. Public and semipublic swimming pools, when open for use, shall, at all times, be under the supervision of a competent director who shall be responsible for all phrases of pool operation, including the applicable provisions of this Code.

B. Lifeguard platform. Public and semipublic swimming pools operated primarily for unorganized use and having an area of more than two thousand two hundred fifty (2,250) square feet of water surface shall be provided with at least one (1) elevated lifeguard platform or chair located so as to provide a clear unobstructed view of the pool bottom.

C. Personal regulations. Personal regulations covering admission, bathing and conduct of patrons shall be conspicu­ously posted and shall include the following:

1. Any person showing evidence of skin disease, sore or inflamed eyes, cold, nasal or ear discharges or any communicable disease shall be refused admission.

2. Persons with excessive sunburn, open blisters, cuts or bandages shall be refused admission.

3. No dogs or other animals shall be allowed in the pool area, dressing rooms or other parts of the pool enclo­sure.

4. Preferably no food or drinks shall be used or consumed within the pool enclosure. Where food and drinks are permitted, no containers of glass shall be used.

5. Persons in street shoes or other spectators shall not be permitted in the pool area.

6. Unnecessary expectoration, spouting of water, rough­ness, rowdyism or other conduct affecting the safety and comfort of others shall not be permitted.

D. Maintenance. All dressing rooms, toilets, showers, pool proper and surroundings shall be kept clean and orderly at all times. A suitable disinfectant shall be used daily on floors, walls, mats and other interior portions of dressing rooms. Toilets, lavatories and shower rooms shall be cleaned with a detergent and water, disinfected daily and kept in good repair. Toilets shall be kept supplied with sufficient amount of toilet tissue. Lavatories shall be supplied with soap and suitable receptacles for disposal of paper towels. Common towels shall not be permitted.

E. Chemicals. All pool chemicals shall be handled, stored and used in strict accordance with manufactures instructions. A separate storage room or closet shall be provided for these chemicals.

§ 75-13. Violations and penalties.

(Added 10-14-81 by Ord. No. 0-81-37 )

Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine not to exceed the sum of two hundred dollars ($200.) or imprisonment not to exceed thirty (30) days; each day that such violation continues shall be deemed to be separate offense.

§ 75-14. Severability.

(Amended 10-14-81 by Ord.No. 0-81-37)

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or this ordinance should be held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this ordinance.

§ 75-15. When effective.

(Added 10-14-84 by Ord.No. 0-81-37)

This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon final passage and publication as required by law.

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Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former § 75-15, Severability.

Editor's Note: Former § 75-16, When effective, which immediately followed this section, was repealed 10-14-81 by Ord. No.0-81-37.

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Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former § 75-7, Location and distance requirements.

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²Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former § 75-8, Materials specifications.

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Editor's Note: This ordinance repealed former § 75-9, Chlorination, filtering; connection to potable water supply.

Editor's Note: See 0-83-26A.

Editor's Note: This ordinance repealed former § 75-10, Drainage waste.

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Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former § 75-12. variances.

Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former § 75-13, subject to sanitary regulations.

Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former § 75-14 violations and penalties.