Greater Sudbury is looking at harmonizing the rules around backyard pool enclosures.
Currently, pool enclosures are governed by seven bylaws in the city, a leftover from the days of regional government 16 years ago. The goal is to protect young children who may wander into dangerous areas “during a lapse in supervision,” says a report going to city council next week.
The existing bylaws were first drafted and adopted in 1978 for the City of Greater Sudbury, Capreol, Onaping Falls, Walden and Valley East. Rayside Balfour’s bylaw was passed in 1981 and Nickel Centre’s in 1993.
It's time to have one bylaw for everyone, the report said, with the new standards for pool enclosures, and the need to harmonize the rules across the city.
“The goal is primarily to ensure clarity and improve safety standards for the various forms of enclosures currently available,” the report said.
“A consolidated bylaw would also provide minimum standards for the construction and maintenance of fences around private outdoor swimming pools for the above all purpose of protecting small children. The security fencing would prevent access to bodies of water on private properties that present a potential safety hazard.”
Changes under consideration include:
- Requiring that gates be locked at all times when the pool isn't being used. Currently that's the rule in the former Nickel Centre. Other bylaw only require a lockable gate.
- Requiring a temporary fence around the construction area while an in-ground pool is being built. While most pool installers do set up a temporary pool enclosure, there are no established specifications or standards they must follow.
- Hot tubs and whirlpools with lockable lids would be exempted from the rule requiring pool enclosures.
- Bylaw would allow the perimeter of an above-ground pool to be part of the enclosure, provided the pool is at least 52 inches off the ground, and there's an enclosure around the ladder or steps leading into the pool.
- “The measures proposed would bring the new pool enclosure bylaw up-to-date with current construction technologies and enhance public safety with limited additional costs to pool owners and the industry,” the report said.
In addition to the single bylaw, staff is also recommending an annual public education campaign in the early spring “to help focus public attention and improve public safety related to pools.
“The proposed public education campaign will also recognize that to ensure the safety of young children, direct supervision from a parent or guardian is essential.”