Stock image of outdoor, in-ground swimming pool.

Pool Enclosure Permits

In the Town of Saugeen Shores, owners of private swimming pools must apply for a pool enclosure permit to build and maintain fences and gates around their swimming pools. These enclosures are needed to prevent people or animals from entering without your permission.

Find more information on pool enclosure requirements, like heights, openings, materials and ground clearance in our Pool Enclosure By-law.

What is considered a 'swimming pool'?

You need a pool enclosure permit if your "swimming pool" or "pool" is an excavation, structure or product that is:

Located outdoors on private property;
Capable of being used for the purposes of swimming, wading, paddling or bathing;
Capable of holding water in excess of 0.76 metres (30 inches) in depth at any point; and
Includes a landscape pond meeting the above criteria.

Pools and bodies of water not included in the Pool Enclosure By-law

Pools not included in the Pool Enclosure By-law include:

A pond or reservoir to be utilized for farming purposes or as part of a golf course;
A hydro massage pool with locking cover;
A pool owned by any public or governmental body, agency or authority, or is under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Building Code;
An existing natural body of water or stream; or
A privately owned stormwater management facility.

Pool Enclosure Requirements

Height

The pool enclosure shall extend from the ground to a height of not less than 1.22m (4 feet). Height shall be measured from the finished ground level on the outside (not the pool side) of the pool enclosure.

Openings and Materials

Chain link fence - shall not have any openings that would allow the passage of a spherical object having a diameter exceed 38mm (1.5 inches).

Vertical and horizontal members - if horizontal structural members are greater than 114.3cm (45 inches) apart, the horizontal members can be located on the outside of the pool enclosure and the spacing between vertical member shall not exceed 100mm (4 inches). If horizontal structural members are less than 114.3cm (45 inches) apart, the horizontal members must be located inside the pool enclosure and the spacing between each vertical member should not exceed 44.45mm (1.75 inches).

Ground Clearance

The space at any point between the pool enclosure and the finished ground level and/or finished floor level must not exceed 100 mm (4 inches) and the ground beneath the pool enclosure cannot be loose gravel or other material that can be easily removed so as to afford access under the pool enclosure

Framing and Braces

All horizontal structural members must be located inside of the pool enclosure as to prevent easy climbing;

Location

Location of Pool Enclosure

The pool enclosure should only enclose the immediate pool area and shall be located not less than 0.61m (2 feet) from any fence or structure

Location of Pool (as per Zoning By-law)

Your pool can be located in the interior side yard or rear yard.

It cannot be closer than 1.5 m (5 ft) to any lot line and no closer to any street than the setback required accordingly.

Location of Pool Equipment

Equipment with circulating water or treating equipment, such as pumps or filters or any accessory building or structure that contains this equipment (like a pump house) cannot be closer than 1 m (3 ft) to any lot line.

Gates

Every owner shall ensure that every gate forming part of a pool enclosure:

is constructed in accordance with the standards prescribed in section 5 of this By-law;
is supported on substantial hinges, capable of supporting 90.72kg (200 lbs.) in body weight;
is equipped with a self-closing device;
is equipped with a self-latching device that is located at least 1.22m (4 feet) above the finished floor level and/or finished ground level (see Figure 7); and
is equipped with a lock.

Pool Enclosure Permit

How to apply for a permit

The Town is pleased to offer residents, builders, and the business community an online application system to apply for and track your building permits.

The online building permit system allows you to apply for and to see the status of your application anywhere, at any time. You can start an application and finish it later, and receive email updates on the status of your permit application. You can even request inspections!

Apply for a pool enclosure permit

Need help getting started with Cloudpermit? A step-by-step guide to help you from login, to submitting your first application is available.

Guide to Cloudpermit

If you are having difficulty using Cloudpermit, please contact the Building Department for assistance at building@saugeenshores.ca or 519-832-2008 ext. 118. You can also access support through Cloudpermit's online portal.

Cloudpermit Support

What documents are required for the permit?

You will be required to upload the following information to Cloudpermit as part of your permit application:

Site plan showing:

pool and property dimensions;
distances to the house and lot lines;
location of any doors and windows in the house adjacent to the pool area; and
location and height of proposed fence and gates.

Detail drawing showing:

Fence details showing compliance with the pool enclosure requirements listed above

How much is the permit fee?

A pool enclosure permit fee of $159.19 is required prior to approval of the application. See our methods of payment accepted.