HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06 PoolCITY OF LAKE ELMO
COUNTY OF WASHINGTON
STATE OF MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO.2022-06
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LAKE ELMO CITY CODE BY AMENDING THE
POOL CODE
SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Lake Elmo hereby ordains that Title 105
Zoning; Chapter 105.08: Building Regulations Code, Section 160 is hereby amended by
changing the following section (Proposed language is underlined, deleted language is shown
with stril exgh):
105.08.160 Swimming Pools; Generally
a. Permits required. No person, corporation, partnership, or firm shall construct, repair,
enlarge, alter, change, remodel, or otherwise significantly improve a swimming pool in the
city without first having obtained a permit from the building official or their designee.
b. Definitions. Unless specifically defined in this section, common definitions, words, and
phrases used in this section shall be interpreted so as to give them the same meaning as
they have in common usage through this Code. Definitions are found in LEC 1.08.
c. Land coverage. The water surface of a pool shall be deemed pervious surface. All other
pool features, such as the pool apron and equipment pad, shall be deemed impervious
surface.
d. Application for permit. The building official may require plans, specifications, and
pertinent explanatory data be submitted with an application for a permit.
1. An application for a permit which includes a site plan showing:
a. The type and size of pool, location of pool, location of house, garage,
fencing, and other improvements on the lot;
b. The location of structures on all adjacent lots;
c. The location of filter unit, pump, and writing indicating the type of the units;
d. The location of back -flush and drainage outlets, grading plan, finished
elevations, and final treatment (decking, landscaping, and the like) around
pool;
e. The location of existing overhead or underground wiring, utility easements,
trees, and similar features;
f. The location of any water heating unit;
g. The location of water supply systems, buried sewers, and sewage disposal
systems, other utilities and proximate sources of possible contamination of
the pool; and
h. All dimensions, including the length, width, depth of the pool, the size of
the pool deck, and the liquid capacity of the pool; plans shall be drawn to a
scale of not smaller than one-fourth inch to one foot;
2. The application shall be accompanied by the permit fee the council establishes by
resolution.
3. Pools shall not be located within 20 feet of any septic tanlddrainfield nor within six
feet of any principal structure or frost footing. Pools shall not be located within any
required front or side yard setbacks.
4. Pools shall not be located beneath overhead utility lines nor over underground
utility lines of any type.
5. Pools shall not be located within any private or public utility, walkway,
drainageway, or other easements.
6. In the case of underground pools, the necessary precautions shall be taken during
the construction to:
a. Avoid damage, hazards, or inconvenience to adjacent or nearby property;
and
b. Ensure that proper care shall be taken in stockpiling excavated material to
avoid erosion, dust, or other infringements upon adjacent property.
7. All access for construction shall be over the owner's land and due care shall be
taken to avoid damage to public streets and adjacent private or public property.
a. To the extent feasible, back -flush water or water from pool drainage shall
be directed onto the owner's property or into approved public drainageways.
b. Water shall not drain onto adjacent or nearby private land.
8. The filter unit, pump, heating unit, and any other noise -making mechanical
equipment shall be located at least 50 feet from any adjacent or nearby residential
structure and not closer than ten feet to any lot line.
e. Pool piping. Pool piping systems shall be constructed of materials prescribed in the city
plumbing code. Installation of the piping, including the pool water supply line, shall be
inspected by the building official prior to covering the piping.
f Main outlets. Pools shall be equipped with facilities for completely emptying the pool and
effecting surface drainage (by gravity, if elevations permit). The drainage system shall be
constructed in accordance with the provisions of the city plumbing code.
g. Water supply. Water supplies serving all swimming pools shall be of a safe sanitary quality
and be acceptable to the county health officer. The installation of the pool water supply
piping and connection to the source of supply shall be in accordance with the city plumbing
code.
h. Electrical requirements. All electrical installations provided for, installed, and used in
conjunction with residential swimming pools shall conform with the state electrical code
and shall be inspected and approved by the state electrical inspector. No current -carrying
electrical conductors shall cross residential swimming pools, either overhead or
underground or within 15 feet of the pools, except as necessary for pool lighting or pool
accessories.
i. Heating requirements. Permits shall be required for all heating units used in conjunction
with swimming pools. Installation shall be made in accordance with the city heating
building code in effect at the time of installation.
j. Pressure relief valves. Pools shall be designed and constructed with under -drain systems
and pressure relief valves to prevent pool flotation, where the building official determines
the same to be necessary.
k. Shield lights. Lights used to illuminate any swimming pool shall be so arranged and
shielded so as to reflect light away from adjoining properties.
1. Location. All swimming pools or appurtenances to swimming pools shall be located in the
rear yard and meet the setback requirements of the district in which it is located. Requests
for a variance from the provisions of this section shall be referred first to the planning
commission for its study and recommendation and then to the council.
m. Fences. All swimming pools shall be completely enclosed by a non -climbable type fence.
All fence openings or points of entry into the pool area shall be equipped with gates. The
fence and gates shall be at least four feet in height and shall be constructed of a minimum
number 11 gauge woven wire mesh corrosion -resistant material or other material approved
by the building official. All gates shall be equipped with self -closing and self -latching
devices placed at the top of the gate or otherwise be inaccessible to small children. All
fence posts shall be decay- or corrosion -resistant and shall be set in concrete bases or other
suitable protection. The openings between the bottom of the fence and the ground or other
surface shall not be more than four inches.
n. Above ground swimming pools. Ladders or stairs which are attached to or placed against
the outside of above ground tank -type swimming pools having a depth of 24 inches or more
shall be removed from the outside of the pool when it is not being used by the owner or
owner's authorized guests. All other applicable provisions of this section shall apply to
above ground pools.
o. Public or semi-public swimming pools. Swimming pools, other than residential pools, shall
be constructed and operated in conformance with standards for the installations established
by the state board of health. In addition, the person, firm, corporation, or agency proposing
the construction of a swimming pool other than residential shall file with the building
official, prior to the beginning of any construction, a copy of the report prepared and issued
by the state health department showing approval of the plans, and one set of pool plans
upon which the approval is indicated by stamp, seal, or other official marking of that
agency.
SECTION 2. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption
and publication in the official newspaper of the City of Lake Elmo.
SECTION 3. Adoption Date. This Ordinance 2022- was adopted on this 7 ��'` day of JL(, V) G
2022, by a vote of _5 Ayes and _Nays.
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL
Charles Cadenhead, May
ATTEST:
Jule lulson, iWClerk
This Ordinance 2022- was published on the t 0�hday of art { f _, 2022.