[Ord. 78-4, 7/11/1978, § 1]
This Part shall be known as the "Private Residential Swimming
Pool Ordinance of the Township of Valley."
[Ord. 78-4, 7/11/1978, § 2]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
The Zoning Officer of said Township or such other officer
as shall be appointed for such duties from time to time by the Board
of Supervisors.
Any swimming or wading pool over two feet in depth or with
a surface area exceeding 150 square feet, located upon private residential
property in connection with a private residence and intended only
for the use of the individual owner, his family and friends. This
shall include portable or temporary type pools installed entirely
above ground elevation. The provisions of this Part shall apply to
all existing or new swimming pools as defined in this Part except
where otherwise indicated.
[Ord. 78-4, 7/11/1978, § 3; as amended by Ord. 99-5, 11/3/1999]
Private residential swimming pools, as regulated by this Part, shall be permitted in residential zones as defined by the present or hereafter adopted Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 27). Pools and appurtenant equipment including, but not limited to, pumps, filters and water disinfection equipment shall not be permitted in any area required for front, side or back yards under the Valley Township Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 27), as amended. The provisions of this section shall not apply to private residential swimming pools of a permanent nature constructed prior to the effective date of this Part.
[Ord. 78-4, 7/11/1978, § 4; as amended by Ord. 99-5, 11/3/1999]
1.
Installation Permit. It shall be unlawful to install, enlarge or
alter any private residential swimming pool within Valley Township
unless a permit therefor shall first have been obtained from the permit
officer. The permit fee for the erection, construction or alteration
of a private residential swimming pool shall be in amounts as established,
from time to time, by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. 78-4, 7/11/1978, § 5]
1.
Drawings and Plans. All drawings and plans for the construction,
installation, enlargement or alteration of any private residential
swimming pool and appurtenances shall be presented to the permit officer
for examination and approval as to location and construction. All
drawings shall be complete, showing the lot lines and including information
pertaining to fence construction, water supply system, liquid capacity,
drainage and water disposal system and all appurtenances to the pool.
2.
Material and Structural Design. Private residential swimming pools
shall be constructed of impervious material. The pool structure shall
be designed to withstand the water pressure from within and to resist
pressure of the earth when the pool is empty against the forces to
which it will be subjected. No pool shall be constructed in such proximity
to adjoining property as to cause a weakening of any adjoining foundations
or collapse of soil.
3.
Plumbing and Electricity. Private residential swimming pools, as controlled by this Part, shall comply with the present or hereafter adopted Borough Plumbing Code (Chapter 5) and meet the present or hereafter adopted specifications and regulations of the Middle Department Fire Underwriters. No current-carrying electrical conductors shall cross private residential swimming pools either overhead or underground. All metal fences, enclosures or railings near or adjacent to said pools which might become electrically alive as a result of contact with broken overhead conductors or from any other cause shall be effectively grounded.
4.
Fences. All outdoor private residential swimming areas or areas in
which the pool is located shall be completely enclosed by a fence
or other physical barrier not less than four feet in height, adequate
to restrain children. All openings or points of entry into the pool
area enclosure shall be equipped with gates. All gates shall be equipped
with self-closing and self-latching devices placed where they are
inaccessible to small children.
5.
Steps or Ladders. There shall be one or more means of egress in each
pool. Steps or ladders shall be constructed so as to be safe and sanitary.
Recesses which may support vegetable or animal life shall be avoided.
6.
Diving Boards. Diving boards or platforms more than one meter (39.37
inches) above water level shall be approved by the permit officer
prior to installation.
7.
Floor Slope. Floor slope in the shallow end of the pool (up to 4 1/2
feet) shall be sufficiently gradual to avoid slipping into deep water.
8.
Water Depth in Pools with Varying Depths. Markings showing the depths
of the deep and shallow ends of the pool shall be plainly visible.
9.
Skimmers. All private residential swimming pools shall be equipped
with hand or automatic skimmers or approved overflow gutters.
10.
Rescue Equipment. Every private residential swimming pool shall be
equipped with rescue equipment, including at least one or more light,
strong poles with blunted ends, not less than 12 feet in length or
2/3 of the diameter for circular pools, for making reach assistance
or rescues.
11.
Indoor Swimming Pools. Indoor swimming pools, in addition to the
relevant or pertinent requirements promulgated for outdoor pools,
must also have the approval of the permit officer in relation to ventilation,
natural and artificial lighting and the use of structural material.
[Ord. 78-4, 7/11/1978, § 6; as amended by Ord. 99-5, 11/3/1999]
1.
Any source of water (public or private) used to fill the pool shall
be equipped with protection against accidental backflow or back siphonage
from the pool water. Its protection shall be in the nature of a free-fall
gap or other device that would meet the approval of the permit officer.
2.
Water Treatment. Chlorine disinfectant in the form of sodium or calcium
hypochlorite shall be applied either by hand or by mechanical feeder
as frequently as needed to assure at least 3/10 of a part per million
of chlorine residue throughout the pool volume while the pool is in
use. Other recognized or accredited methods of disinfecting the pool
water shall be permitted providing advance approval is granted by
the permit officer.
A.
Acidity - Alkalinity pH. The water shall show a natural or alkaline
reaction as indicated by a pH of seven to eight at all times while
the pool is in use.
B.
Test Kit. A test kit with permanent color standards shall be provided
at all pools and be used at frequent intervals to check on the adequacy
of disinfection and to determine the acidity or alkalinity of the
water.
3.
Water Clarity. Whenever the pool is in use the water shall be sufficiently
clear to permit a black disc or disc of contrasting color 12 inches
in diameter on the bottom of the pool, at the deepest point, to be
clearly visible from the adjacent pool sidewalks.
4.
Waste Water. Disposal or discharge of pool wastewater must be accomplished
in such a way that nuisance or damage to other property can be avoided.
When discharged into storm sewers, care must be taken to avoid overtaxing
the capacity of such sewers. No pool water is to be discharged into
sanitary sewers.
5.
Inspection. During the period in which the pool is in use, it shall
be the duty of the permit officer of the Township to make periodic
inspections to see that the proper tests and water conditions meet
the requirements.
[Ord. 78-4, 7/11/1978, § 7]
The buildings, grounds and all other pool facilities shall be
kept clean and in a sanitary condition and maintained free from garbage,
trash and other refuse.
[Ord. 78-4, 7/11/1978, § 8]
No private residential swimming pool shall be so located, designed,
operated or maintained as to interfere unduly with the enjoyment of
property rights by owners of property adjoining the pool or located
in the neighborhood.
[Ord. 78-4, 7/11/1978, § 9]
Lights used to illuminate any private residential swimming pool
shall be so arranged and shaded as to reflect light away from adjoining
premises.
[Ord. 78-4, 7/11/1978, § 10]
It shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause
to be made or continued at any private residential swimming pool any
loud, unnecessary or unusual noise or any noise which annoys, disturbs,
injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety
of others. In the operation of a private residential swimming pool,
the use or permitting the use or operation of any radio, musical instrument,
phonograph or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing
of sound in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort
of the neighboring inhabitants or at any time with louder volume than
is necessary for convenient hearing of the person or persons who are
on the pool premises shall be unlawful.
[Ord. 78-4, 7/11/1978, § 12; as amended by Ord. 96-4, 5/7/1996, § 23; by Ord. 97-2, 3/18/1997, § 23; and by Ord. 99-7, 11/3/1999, § 18]
Any person who shall violate any provision of this Part shall
be guilty of a summary offense punishable by a fine not to exceed
$1,000, together with all court costs and reasonable attorney's
fees incurred in such enforcement proceeding, and may further be punished
by imprisonment to the extent permitted by law for summary offenses.
Each day that a violation continues may be considered a separate offense.
[Ord. 78-4, 7/11/1978; as added by Ord. 99-7, 11/3/1999, § 19]
Any administrative appeal of a decision of the Code Enforcement
Officer regarding this Part must be filed in writing with the Township
Secretary within 10 days after notification to the appellant of that
decision. Such appeal must contain a concise statement of the reason(s)
for the appeal and must be accompanied by such fee as may be approved
by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
