Community Corner
Residential Pools Require Adherence to State Laws and Local Ordinances
Make sure your pool, fence, and gates are up to standard before swimming this summer.
With the Memorial Day weekend serving as the unofficial start of summer, many area residents with pools are ready to start the swimming season. If you’re just getting a pool, or have even had one for a while, be sure to review the requirements and laws that are in place before filling the pool.
Pool safety laws were designed to protect your family, friends and neighbors from accidental drowning, injury or electrocution. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) there are more than 3,000 deaths from drowning each year not related to boats as well as many more injuries from near-drowning incidents.
The CDC also reports that fatal drowning remains the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years.
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Since 2004, the Pennsylvania statewide building code requires the following laws be met to ensure safety related to private pools. This is in effect for all areas of Pennsylvania.
- Any body of water more than 24-inches deep is considered a pool and must meet required safety standards.
- All pools must be fenced on all sides with a structure at least 48-inches high.
- For above ground pools—The sides of the pool, if 48 inches, may be considered the fence. A removable or locking ladder is required and it must be removed or locked when the pool is not in use.
- For in-ground pools – All fence gates must be self-closing and latching. A house may be used as the fourth side of the fence, but all doors leading to the pool area must have an audible warning device if no other gate or door is between the house and the pool. A power safety cover may also be used.
- Hot tubs and spas do not require fencing as long as they have a cover that complies with the American Society for Testing and Materials F1346 standard. Covers that come from the hot tub manufacturer are in compliance with this standard.
Local ordinances for the required setback distance of a pool from the front, rear, and side property lines varies by municipality and zoning districts within municipalities. Check with your municipality office on the exact requirements for your zone.
