Canadian Swimming Pool Laws

BC does not appear to have a uniform provincial code for private swimming pools. Check your local laws. Here is an example from the city of Surrey, BC.

Alberta does’t seem to have regulations for residential swimming pools. Calgary provides us with this information. You will need to check where you live. 

Regina has provided this: Private Swimming Pool Bylaw No. 2004-81. When trolling the Internet for useful information about pools in Saskatchewan, a lot of information shows up about Wheat Pool. I’ll guess that’s no better for swimming than a football pool. Go Roughriders!

Private Pools (over 24” deep or 60cm.)
While no building permit is required for an above ground swimming pool in every jurisdiction, the following regulations exist under the Manitoba Building Code:
An outdoor private pool shall be enclosed with a fence or other suitable barrier
constructed with the following requirements:
a. A minimum height of 1.5m
b. There shall be no openings, other than a door to a building or a gate as described in clause (c) and it shall not be possible for a child to crawl under either the fence or gate.
c. Any gate shall be self closing, shall be at least 1.5m in height and shall be equipped with a lockable latch to prevent unauthorized entry.
d. Where a chain link is used, the mesh size shall not exceed 50mm and the wire shall be at least number 11 gauge.
e. Where other than chain link fence is used, the outside surface of the fence or gate shall be relatively smooth so as not to provide foot or toe holds.
f. If, in the opinion of the Building Inspector, there is any undesirable feature pertaining to the enclosure, suitable steps shall be taken to correct the situation.

Winnipeg does require a permit and so may where you live, so check!

Ontario proposed Bill 74 regarding a province-wide law specifying fencing requirements, but it never received Royal Assent. Cities, Towns and Regional authorities have lots of rules, so check on where you live. Here is an example from Mississauga.

Quebec has a fairly comprehensive residential swimming pool law that even includes the blow up pools you might cool your feet in while your todler sits and splashes. 

You have fencing and setback requirements in New Brunswick. Scroll to the bottom of the page and read from 16.1. A building permit will likely be required, as can be seen in the example from Quispamsis, NB. 

Summerside, PEI has provided us with their private swimming pool regulations. Like many localities, they won’t allow you to install a pool in your front yard. Charlottetown offers this 300+ page monster. See 4.12 Swimming Pools.

There doesn’t appear to be a provincial regulation in place for Nova Scotia, but Halifax gives us this lovely brochure. Check your local planning office for information related to where you live. 

You’re doing it right on the Rock. Newfoundland has consolidated municipal information on one page, so if you live in Corner Brook, Gander, or Happy Valley/ Goose Bay, then you’re all set. Sorry Grandfalls – Windsor, your town’s site is down.    

It might be tough to have any kind of swimming pool in Nunavut. Especially a fiberglass pool that needs to ship by ocean from Montreal. Iqaluit made a really nice brochure to show us how they live.

Nothing could be found regarding swimming pool regulation in NWT. However, there is much information about pools in the Northern Territory of Australia. No links to that content will be forthcoming, but if you know something we don’t about the Northwest in Canada, please drop a line. 

Similar to the previous two entries, no information could be found about private swimming pools in the Yukon. I guess it just doesn’t come up that often. I think a Yukon above ground pool is a great idea. Talk to us about our efficient heater options and hard covers.