Guide to Building a New Pool/Spa
References: “Municipal Code – City of Warrenton” , “International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2015”, and “National Electric Code, 2014“
These guidelines have been prepared to assist in planning and construction of residential swimming pools/spas which are in compliance with city codes. Nothing contained in these guidelines is intended to replace or supersede the regulations contained in the “Municipal Code – City of Warrenton.”
Pool Permit Information
- All pools above 24” require a permit
- Pools with capacity less than 24” do not require a permit
- Above ground pools with sidewalls in excess of 24” but less than 48” require a fence
- All contractors are required to register with the Building Department at 636-456-3535.
Pool Regulations
Pool Regulations are contained in Chapter 515 of the Municipal Code – City of Warrenton. When in doubt, always check with the Building Department for resolution of any issue. Please contact the City’s Zoning Officer if you are unsure of the zoning for the property in question.
General Regulations
When constructing a private, residential pool, you must abide by the following guidelines:
- A permit must be obtained before installation, construction, enlargement, or alteration of any private residential swimming pool and appurtenance within the City of Warrenton.
- No portion of a swimming pool shall be located at a distance less than eight (8’) feet from any side or rear property time or building line.
- Pumps, filters, and pool water disinfecting equipment shall be located at a distance not less than eight (8’) feet from any side property line and must be fed from a GFCI protected power source.
- All drawings and plans for the construction, installation, enlargement, or alteration of any pool and appurtenance must be submitted with the permit application and those plans must be followed.
- All in-ground swimming pools must be completely enclosed by a fence
- All fence openings or point of entry into the pool area enclosure shall be equipped with a gate.
- The fences and gates shall be forty-eight (48”) inches in height above grade level and gates shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices placed at the top of the gate.
- No fence is required on swimming pools constructed above the ground as to provide by its design a forty-eight (48”) inch barrier above grade but, access ladders to said pools shall be so arranged as to not be accessible when the pool is not in use.
- No source of water other than that secured from an approved system shall be used in swimming pools.
- The system supplying re-circulated water and makeup water to the pool shall be constructed in conformance with the ordinances regulating plumbing.
- Pools shall be equipped with facilities for completely emptying the pool and the discharge of the pool water shall be at a rate not exceeding two hundred (200) gallons per minutes. No direct connection shall be made to the sanitary sewer system.
- Equipment shall be provided for the disinfection of all pool water. Any disinfectant method using materials other than chlorine compounds shall be subject to the approval of the Building Department
- The Building Department shall inspect the bonding and grounding of all pools prior to any concrete work or backfilling
Safety Precautions (pools over three and one-half feet in depth)
- Two (2) or more means of egress in the form of steps and ladders shall be provided for all pools having a variable depth. At least one (1) such means of egress shall be located on a side of the pool at both the deep end and shallow end of the pool. Only one (1) or more means of egress in the forms of steps or ladders shall be provided for all pools having constant depth.
- Location, design, and construction of steps or ladders shall be approved by the Building Commissioner.
- Treads of steps and ladders shall be constructed of non-slip material and be at least three (3) inches wide for their full length and shall have a handrail on both sides.
Filling your swimming pool
In all cases, the customer must notify the Public Works Department during normal business hours at least 24 hours prior to the start of the pool filing in order to receive a credit. No sewer credit will be issued for pool filling of less than 5,000 gallons.
The credit amount will be determined by calculating the gallons used from the pool measurements and the depth of the pool to be filled. City Staff will inspect the pool prior to the pool being filled to get the needed measurements. After the pool has been filled, the Public Works Department must be contacted to make a return visit to ensure the pool has been filled completely and the calculations are correct. Only one pool credit will be issued for each calendar year.
***Under no circumstances will filling of a pool from the fire hydrant be allowed.***
Design and Construction
Construction requirements are contained in Chapter 515 of the Municipal Code-City of Warrenton. Electrical requirements are contained in Article 680 of the National Electrical Code-2014. 2015 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code.
Permit Process
To obtain a permit for a pool, please submit the following items to the Building Department. If you wish to meet with the Building Commissioner, it is recommended that you make arrangements prior to your visit.
- A completed “Miscellaneous Permit” application. Applications are available at the Building Department, located at 200 W Booneslick or on the City website www.warrenton-mo.org.
- A plot plan of the property with the location of the proposed pool (and fence if applicable) must accompany the application. Provide the type of pool whether above ground or in ground pool and type of materials used for construction.
- The depth, diameter, width, and length of the pool.
- A tenant must have an approval letter from the property owner.
- Literature on the pool, if applicable.
Once the permit has been approved, you will be notified to pick up the permit at City Hall. The permit fee is to be paid at the time of pick-up.
Pool Completed
Once the pool is complete, a final inspection will need to be completed to close out the permit. Please call the Building Department at 636-456-3535 to arrange an inspection. All inspections require a 24 hours notice to schedule.
Fees
The fee schedule for Pool Permits can be viewed on the Fees section of the Building permits page.
Appeals and Variances
Please refer to Chapter 500 of the Municipal Code-City of Warrenton for the process for filing an appeal of a decision of the Building Commissioner.
Additional Information
For additional information, or if you have any questions, please call the Building Department. The entire City Code can be found on the City’s website at www.warrenton-mo.org.