City of Hamilton, Ohio - Residential Pool Permit Information

Residential Swimming Pools

The following information is provided to assist in the planning and construction of swimming pools within the City of Hamilton. Submit the application and plans well in advance of construction. This will allow time for us to review the plans and for any corrections required by the Codes to be made. Any swimming pool having a depth of 18” or greater requires a permit be obtained and inspections made to provide assurance that the pool meets minimum safety standards. Swimming pools are regulated by zoning, building, electrical and plumbing codes for the City of Hamilton and a digest of those codes are listed below. Answers to explicit questions on the various codes will be supplied upon request.

A swimming pool permit is required prior to starting any work. Building Permit Fees are due when the permit is issued. In order to obtain a Building Permit, an application must be filed. Two (2) copies of the plans and/or specifications showing how the pool will be constructed are also required. If the pool is of a pre-manufactured type, the company that manufactured the pool should supply copies of these plans. If the pool is a kit type, then the installation plans that came with the pool would satisfy this requirement. If the pool has been custom designed, then plans from the architect or engineer who designed it must be submitted.

In addition to the pool plans, two (2) copies of the site plan or plot plan are required. The plot plan must show the location of the proposed swimming pool in relationship to the property lines, easements of record, other buildings and structures on the property, and the set back to electric, cable, telephone, and any other overhead wires. Zoning regulations apply to all above ground pools over 30" high as they would apply to any other structure. Most rear yards are required to be 10' and the side yard requirements will vary from district to district. Yard set backs for in-ground pools are not required by the Zoning Code. These plans should be drawn to scale and show dimensions in feet and inches for the above information.

All swimming pools having a depth of 18” or more are required to be completely enclosed by a wall or fence at least 48” in height. Fencing material cannot have openings that exceed 4” in any dimension. Doors or gates that are located within the swimming pool enclosure are required to be self-closing and self-latching. The doors or gates are to be securely closed when the pool is not in use. The location and type of fence or wall must also be shown on the plot plan along with notes concerning the gates and doors located in the enclosure.

The applicant for the pool permit is responsible to ascertain that all of the following requirements have been complied with and that final inspections for the electric, plumbing, if applicable, and the pool enclosure have been approved prior to filling the pool.

All ELECTRICAL installations shall meet all requirements of Article 680 of the National Electric Code (NEC), some particular items as follows:

No receptacles are permitted within 5' of the inside wall of the pool. All receptacles installed outdoors must be GFCI protected and also be protected by a cover that is weatherproof while in use (Bubble type cover).
2All permanently installed pools, above ground or in-ground, must be equipped with at least one 125 volt convenience outlet protected with GFCI and located between 10' and 20' of the pool.
Wiring for the pump motor must contain an insulated green ground wire and be at least #12 AWG. 12-2 UF cable cannot be used for this installation.
All metal parts, including the pool wall and motors must be bonded together with at least No. 8 AWG solid copper per 680-26 NEC.
Service drop conductors, telephone cables, cable TV conductors or any other open conductors shall not be over the pool or within 10' of the pool, measured from the inside of the pool, unless they are 22.5' above the water surface or platform as required by 680.8 NEC.
All underground wiring must be in accordance with 680-10 NEC and all underwater lighting must be in accordance with 680-23 NEC.

A PLUMBING PERMIT is not required if there is no direct connection made between the pool and the water or sewer lines. If a water heater is installed, a permit will be required. If a hose is used to fill the pool, a backflow preventer must be installed on the faucet where the hose is connected.

Any ELECTRIC WORK OR PLUMBING WORK that is required to be done can be done by the homeowner/occupant after obtaining the required permits (single family residence homeowner exemption). If the owner is going to have electric or plumbing done by someone else, it will have to be done by a contractor who is licensed or registered to do work in the City of Hamilton.

If you have any questions concerning the above-mentioned items, please feel free to call the Construction Services Division at 785-7360.