This article and the provisions set forth herein shall apply to a pool, herein defined as any pool, spa, hot tub, or other water-containing device used, designed, or intended for recreational or therapeutic use that has a depth of water of at least twenty-four (24) inches, and a capacity of at least 5,000 gallons. Unless otherwise expressly provided, this article shall not apply to a tank or cistern that has a fixed roof or top, which is designed, used and intended for use for solely irrigation purposes, or to ponds, lakes or bodies of water in a natural state.
(Ordinance 2007-09-124 adopted 6/19/07)
(a) 
No person, firm or association shall install, construct, equip, operate or maintain a pool without first having applied for and been issued a valid permit. Permit applications shall be made on a form furnished by the town and shall be accompanied by the appropriate permit fee as set by the town council.
(b) 
The mayor or his designee may deny, suspend or revoke a permit if the applicant or occupant or owner of the property on which the pool is situated is in violation of any of the terms of this article, if the mayor or his designee determines that the pool is kept or maintained in a condition that presents a risk of danger or injury to persons or property, or if a property owner or occupant fails to allow access to the premises on which the pool is or may be situated for the purposes of inspection.
(c) 
If a permit is denied, revoked or suspended, a new permit application may be made, and the appropriate permit fee paid, or a request to lift the suspension may be made, if the violation or condition that caused the denial, revocation or suspension is corrected.
(d) 
The denial, suspension or revocation of a permit by the mayor or his designee may be appealed to the town council. Action by the town council shall be final.
(Ordinance 2007-09-124 adopted 6/19/07)
(a) 
Distance from property lines and structures.
The minimum distance from the water's edge to the side and rear property line of the property on which the pool is situated shall be not less than fifteen (15) feet. The minimum distance from the water's edge to any structure (dwelling or accessory building) shall be not less than fifteen (15) feet.
(b) 
Location in front yard or easement.
No pool shall be located within the required front yard setback or within a public or private easement.
(c) 
Access from dwelling unit.
A door in an exterior wall of a dwelling unit which allows direct access to a pool shall have a latching device installed on the interior side of the door which does not require the use of a key in order to exit the dwelling unit and must be located between forty (40) and forty-eight (48) inches above floor level.
(d) 
Covering or enclosure of hot tubs and spas.
Hot tubs and spas shall be enclosed by either a fence or a rigid cover that completely covers the surface of the spa or hot tub when not in use.
(e) 
State requirements.
All state requirements relating to on-site waste water and pools must be met.
(Ordinance 2007-09-124 adopted 6/19/07)
[1]
Editor’s note–Former section pertaining to fencing and deriving from Ordinance 2007-09-124 adopted 6/19/07, was repealed and deleted in its entirety by Ordinance 202212-01-101 adopted 1/3/2023.
(a) 
All swimming pool, spa and hot tub pumps shall be equipped with a time clock or timer, maintained in good working order, so that the pump may be set for the minimum time necessary to maintain the water in a clean and sanitary condition.
(b) 
No electrical equipment shall be placed within five (5) feet of the water's edge without prior approval by the town.
(c) 
No exterior convenience outlet shall be closer than ten (10) feet horizontally from the water's edge. Existing exterior convenience outlets that are within ten (10) feet of the water's edge shall be removed or permanently disconnected and covered.
(d) 
Ground fault circuit interrupters shall be installed so as to protect all exterior convenience outlets.
(e) 
Overhead conductors shall not be closer than twenty (20) feet horizontally from the water's edge.
(f) 
Filter backwash water must be tied into the sanitary sewer, if available, and must be properly trapped and vented.
(g) 
All electrical work shall be performed by a licensed electrician. The installation of a P-trap and any gas heater or other appliance using natural gas or propane shall be performed by a licensed plumber.
(Ordinance 2007-09-124 adopted 6/19/07)
(a) 
The following inspections shall be required prior to the issuance of a final permit:
(1) 
Belly steel inspection for swimming pools;
(2) 
Electrical, plumbing, gas, fence and decking inspections;
(3) 
Underground electrical inspection; and
(4) 
Gas line and P-trap inspection.
(b) 
The town may inspect any pool at any reasonable time and has the authority to enter upon the premises where a pool is located to the extent necessary to make a full examination. Water samples from a pool may be taken.
(Ordinance 2007-09-124 adopted 6/19/07)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful to maintain any pool which is not fenced in accordance with the requirements of this article or this code.
(b) 
A pool shall be continually kept and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, free of algae and harmful bacteria. The water clarity of a pool shall be continually maintained so that the bottom surface of the pool is visible.
(c) 
No person shall keep or maintain any body of water, whether or not defined as a pool by this article, on property owned or under that person's control such that the pool, cistern, tank, pond, lake or other body of water contains stagnant water, may constitute a public or private nuisance, may produce disease, or may constitute a breeding ground or harborage for rodents, vermin, or parasites.
(d) 
Any person, individual, firm, corporation or association violating any provision of this section or article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall upon conviction be fined in accordance with the general penalty provided in section 1.01.009 of this code.
(Ordinance 2007-09-124 adopted 6/19/07; Ordinance adopting Code)
(a) 
In addition to any other remedy allowed herein or by other law, in the event that any person, owner or occupant of premises on which a pool is situated fails to comply with the requirements of this article, the town may issue and serve written notice of such as follows:
(1) 
Delivered personally to the owner and occupant in writing;
(2) 
By letter addressed to the owner at the owner's address as recorded in the appraisal district records of the appraisal district in which the property is located;
(3) 
If personal service cannot be obtained or the owner's or occupant's address is unknown:
(A) 
By publication in the town's official newspaper at least once;
(B) 
By posting the notice on or near the front door of each building on the property to which the violation relates; or
(C) 
By posting the notice on a placard attached to a stake driven into the ground on the property to which the violation relates.
(b) 
If the owner or occupant of the property does not comply with the notice and this article within seven (7) days of notice of the violation given as stated above, the town may, on written request with good cause demonstrated, grant up to twenty-one (21) additional days for correction of the violation, or may:
(1) 
Issue a citation charging such owner or occupant with a violation of this article;
(2) 
Do the work or make the improvements required, including but not limited to draining or filling; and
(3) 
Pay for the work done or improvements made and charge the expenses to the owner of the property.
(c) 
The town may assess expenses incurred under this section against the real estate on which the work is done or improvements made in accordance with this section.
(d) 
To obtain a lien against the property, the mayor or his designee, including any other designated town official, must file a statement of expenses with the county clerk of Wise County. The statement of expenses must identify the name of the owner, if known, and the legal description of the property.
(e) 
The lien obtained by the town is security for the expenditures made and interest accruing at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum on the amount due from the date of payment by the town for the work done or improvements made. The lien is inferior only to tax liens and liens for street improvements.
(f) 
The town may authorize a suit for foreclosure in the name of the town to recover the expenditures and interest due. The statement of expenses or a certified copy of the statement is prima facie proof of the expenses incurred by the town in doing the work or making the improvements.
(g) 
The remedy provided in this section is in addition to any fine which may be imposed for a violation of this article and is cumulative of and in addition to any other remedies which may be provided for by this code or other law, whether civil or criminal.
(Ordinance 2007-09-124 adopted 6/19/07)