Swimming Pool Construction

Swimming Pool Construction Requirements

1. Obtain Pool Ordinance No. 594.
2. Building, Electrical, and Plumbing Permits are required.
3. A site plan is required.  For an example of a site plan, contact the Building Department at (248) 546-2366.
4. All pools permanent or portable over 12 inches deep require a fence not less than 48 inches in height and a self-locking and closing device on all gates.
5. All overhead wires must be 10 feet horizontally away from the pool edge, platforms, diving structure and observation stands.
6. All fences to be grounded with 5/8" x 8' galvanized or copper clad rod.
7. Pool bonding grid #8 AWG solid copper wire not to be broken.
8. Wading and kiddie pools must be protected by vacuum breakers on hose bibs.
9. Swimming pools must be protected by backflow preventor down stream from water meter plus vacuum breakers on hose bibs.
10. Additional electrical requirements and a detailed diagram are available by contacting the Electrical Inspector at (248) 546-2366.

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Ordinance No. 594

In accordance with City of Ferndale Ordinance No. 594, the following shall apply:

Section I
It is hereby determined that private outdoor pools may endanger the public safety unless carefully regulated and supervised:

Section II. Definitions

1. Swimming Pool.  Any contained body of water with a depth of 18 inches or more.
2. Wading Pool.  Any contained body of water between 12 and 18 inches in depth.
3. Kiddie Pool.  Any contained body of water with a maximum depth of 12 inches.
4. In Ground Pool.  Any swimming pool that is of a permanent nature, anchored into the ground that cannot readily be disassembled and moved.
5. Above Ground Pool or Portable Pool.  Any swimming pool that is readily disassembled and may be moved.

Section III
It shall be unlawful for any person to construct or maintain a swimming pool or a wading pool without first making application to the Building Inspector and obtaining a permit therefore.

Section IV

1. Such application shall show the name of the owner, the location of the proposed pool, the manner in which its use shall be supervised, the safety precautions to be made to protect those making use thereof, or who might be endangered thereby, and shall be accompanied by such other information necessary for the protection of the public health and safety as may be required by the Building Inspector.
2. It shall be unlawful to have unlocked gates in the area of the pool.
3. The entry of the pool area by uninvited persons over a fence, where the gate is locked, will be unlawful and a violation of this ordinance.

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Section V

1. A private swimming pool and its service area shall not encroach on any front or side yard requirements as established in the City of Ferndale Zoning Ordinance.
2. A six (6) foot screening fence, or an eight (8) foot screening fence in the event the pool has an elevated deck, must be installed on the fence lines, unless a written waiver is obtained from adjoining property owners, and is renewed should ownership of adjoining property change.  If written waivers are obtained, a forty-eight (48) inch fence will be sufficient.  The pool service area may extend to the property line.  No swimming pool shall be located less than six (6) feet from any side to rear property line or ten (10) feet from any street property line.

Section VI

No swimming pool shall be located under any overhead electrical conductor.  Further, all metal fences, enclosures or railings near or adjacent to such swimming pool, to which bathers have access, which may become electrically alive as a result of contact with broken conductors, or from any other cause, shall be effectively grounded, according to the National Electrical Code and Uniform Electrical Rules.

Section VII

1. No swimming or wading pools or contained bodies of water over 12 inches in depth as defined in Section II, shall be constructed, installed, or operated out-of-doors unless it is located within a fenced enclosure not less than forty-eight (48) inches in height, above the underlying ground, and shall be locked at all times in accordance with fence gate and lock system as defined in Section VIII.
2. Kiddie pools need not be within a fenced enclosure, but when filled, must be attended by a responsible person.  Such kiddie pools must be emptied on a daily basis, for purposes of safety and health.

Section VIII

1. All required fences around pool areas shall be a minimum of forty-eight (48) inches above ground level and shall be of rigid-type construction.
2. No fence will have horizontal members to facilitate climbing such as a rail, corral, woven, farm-wire type, etc.
3. All fences incorporating gates shall have a self-locking device opened only with a key.

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Section IX

No person shall maintain an outdoor swimming pool on his/her premises without providing adequate supervision at all times when the pool is in use so that no person may be injured or drowned therein.

Section X

Any outdoor swimming pool shall not be used unless adequate public health measures are periodically taken to insure that the use thereof shall not cause the spread of disease.  The water of all pools shall be sterilized by chlorinated water.  The current standards set by the State Department of Public Health and the Oakland County Department of Public Health to protect heath (public) in the use of such swimming pools are hereby adopted and made a part of this ordinance.

Section XI

Lot coverage requirements for swimming pool installations must meet the requirements specified in Article II, Section 2.01 and in Article XX of the City of Ferndale Zoning Ordinance.

Section XII

Any person violating any of the terms or conditions of this ordinance thereof shall be punished by a fine of not to exceed $100.00 or by imprisonment of not to exceed thirty days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, or one in lieu of the other, at the discretion of the court.

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The City of Ferndale, Michigan
300 East Nine Mile Road
Ferndale, Michigan  48220
(248) 546-2525