The words, terms or phrases listed below, for the purpose of
this chapter, shall be defined as follows:
PRIVATE SWIMMING POOL
Any body of water, tank or receptacle for water, whether
artificially or semi-artificially constructed or portable, having
a depth at any point greater than two feet and used or intended to
be used for swimming or bathing solely by the owner, his family or
guests of the household and constructed, installed, established or
maintained outside any building in or above the ground upon any premises
as an accessory use to the residence.
[Amended 3-14-1966]
PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL
Any pool used and maintained by an individual, firm, corporation,
club or association of persons for use by the public or club members
and their invitees and guests.
WADING POOL
Any artificially constructed pool, not designed or used for
swimming, with a maximum depth of two feet, whether permanent or portable,
but shall not include a portable "wading pool" no part of which is
permanently installed, which has a capacity of less than 250 gallons
and is intended for use by children.
[Amended 3-14-1966]
It shall be unlawful to construct or establish a private swimming
pool, wading pool or public swimming pool as herein defined without
obtaining a permit therefor in the manner hereinafter described.
Application for a permit for the construction of a swimming
pool or wading pool shall be made to the Building Inspector. Each
application shall be accompanied by duplicate sets of plans, specifications
and plot plans of the property. The location of the pool on the property
shall be shown, together with the location, height and type of fencing
or walls and accessory buildings. No permit shall be issued until
the plans, specifications and plot plan has been approved by the Building
Inspector and approval has been certified on said plans. A fee of
$20.00 shall be paid for a swimming pool permit, and a fee of $5.00
shall be paid for a wading pool permit.
[Amended 3-14-1966]
On or before June 1 of each year, the owner of each swimming
pool or wading pool shall obtain from the Borough Clerk a permit for
the operation of said pool for the current calendar year. Application
for each permit must be made in writing. Within 10 days after the
receipt of such application, an inspection of the pool shall be made
by an authorized representative of the Borough of Merchantville to
ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter. When such inspection
is completed and the pool approved, said permit shall be issued. There
shall be a fee of $5.00 for each annual swimming pool or wading pool
permit.
Construction and design of such pools shall be such that same
may be maintained and operated as to be clean and sanitary at all
times. The owner of every such pool shall be responsible to maintain
said pool in such condition as to prevent breaks in the pool chassis
or water from the pool overflowing into adjacent public or private
property. Sand or earth bottoms shall be constructed, equipped and
maintained in strict conformity with the currently published provisions
of the Swimming Pool Code issued by the State Board of Health.
There shall be no connection between a potable public or private
water supply system and a pool at a point below the maximum flow line
of the pool. No pool water shall be discharged or siphoned into a
potable water supply system.
Each swimming pool and wading pool as herein defined shall be
provided with one drain pipe which shall not be over two inches in
diameter. Such drain pipe shall provide drainage from such pool to
the property of the owner or to a storm sewer, stream or, where approved
by Borough Council, to the gutter at the curbline. No pool drain shall
be connected to a sanitary sewer without the written consent of the
appropriate sewer authority.
[Amended 3-14-1966]
No private swimming pool or wading pool shall be erected, installed
or maintained nearer than 15 feet to any property line or structure
nor nearer to the street line on which said premises fronts than the
main rear wall of the dwelling erected thereon. No private swimming
pool or wading pool shall be constructed or installed on any lot unless
on said lot shall be located a residence building or unless said lot
is part of a residence curtilage.
[Amended 3-14-1966]
All permanent private swimming pools and wading pools shall
be completely surrounded by a fence or wall of the type and dimensions
hereinafter specified:
A. All portable private swimming pools and portable wading pools, unless
enclosed by a fence or wall of the type and dimensions hereinafter
specified, shall, when not in use or unattended, be either emptied
or covered with a suitable, strong protective covering, securely fastened
or locked in place.
B. Whenever a fence or wall is required to be erected under this chapter,
it shall be not less than five (5) feet nor more than six (6) feet
in height and shall be constructed so as not to have openings, holes
or gaps larger than four inches in any dimension, except for doors
or gates. If a picket fence is erected or maintained, the horizontal
dimension shall not exceed four inches. A dwelling house or accessory
building may be used as part of such enclosure. All gates used in
conjunction with the fence or wall shall meet the same specifications
as the fence or wall itself and shall be equipped with approved locking
and latching devices which shall be locked at all times when the pool
is not in use.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this
chapter shall be held for any reason to be unconstitutional or invalid,
such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this chapter.
This chapter shall take effect immediately upon final passage and publication according to law; provided, however, that §
75-10 shall not become effective as to existing pools until six months thereafter.