The swimming pool and spa code adopted in this article shall be subject to the exceptions and amendments to the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2021 edition, as follows:
The following sections, paragraphs, and sentences of the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code are hereby amended as follows: Standard type is text from the ISPSC. Underlined type is text inserted. Lined through type is deleted text from ISPSC. A triple asterisk (***) identifies a new or revised amendment with the 2021 ISPSC code.
**Section 101.1 Title, is amended as follows:
101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Swimming Pool and Spa Code of Lancaster, Texas, hereinafter referred to as "this code."
**Section 102.9; Change to read as follows:
Section 102.9 Other laws. The provisions of this code shall not be deemed to nullify any provisions of local, state or federal law, to include but not limited to: |
1. | Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS); Standards for Public Pools and Spas; § 285.181 through § 285.208, (TDSHS rules do not apply to pools serving one- and two-family dwellings or townhouses). |
2. | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR); 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS), TAS provide the scoping and technical requirements for accessibility for Swimming Pool, wading pools and spas and shall comply with 2012 TAS, Section 242. (TAS rules do not apply to pools serving one- and two-family dwellings or townhouses). |
Exception: Elements regulated under Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and built in accordance with TDLR approved plans, including any variances or waivers granted by the TDLR, shall be deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of this Chapter. |
**Section 103 Code Compliance Agency, is amended as follows:
103.1 Creation of Agency. The Building Inspections Department is hereby created as the official in charge thereof shall be known as the code official. The function of the agency shall be the implementation, administration and enforcement of the provisions of this code.
**Section 111 Means of Appeal, is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
Any appeal of orders, decisions or determinations made by the code official relative to the application and interpretation of this code shall be heard by the City's Property Standards and Appeals Board as provided for by the City's Code of Ordinances.
**Section 112 Board of Appeals, is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
**Section 113 Violations, is amended by replacing section 113.2, 113.3, and 113.4 with the following:
113.2 Notice of Violation. The code official may, but is not required to, serve a notice of violation or order upon the person responsible for the erection, installation, alteration, extension, repair, removal, or demolition of work in violation of the provisions of this code, or in violation of a detail statement or the approved construction documents there under, or in violation of a permit or certificate issued under the provisions of this code. Such notice or order may direct the discontinuance of the illegal action or condition and the abatement of the violation. |
113.3 Prosecution of violation. The code official, any code enforcement officer, or any law enforcement official of the City may issue a citation regarding any violation of this code, regardless of whether a notice has been previously issued. Any of these persons may also request the legal counsel of the jurisdiction to institute an appropriate proceeding at law or in equity to restrain, correct, or abate such violation, or to require the removal or termination of the unlawful pool or spa in violation of the provisions of this code or of the order or direction made pursuant thereto. |
113.4. Violation penalties. [This section deleted in its entirety] |
***Section 305; change to read as follows:
305.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply to the design of barriers for restricting entry into areas having pools and spas. In only one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses. where spas or hot tubs are equipped with a lockable safety cover complying with ASTM F1346 and swimming pools are equipped with a powered safety cover that complies with ASTM F1346, the areas where those spas, hot tubs or pools are located shall not be required to comply with Sections 305.2 through 305.7.
** Add subsection 305.2.7.1; to read as follows:
305.2.7.1 Chainlink fencing prohibited. Chainlink fencing is not permitted as a barrier in public pools built after January 1, 1994.
***Section 305.4 structure wall as a barrier; changes as follows:
305.4 Structure wall as a barrier. Where a wall of a dwelling or structure of a one- and two-family dwelling or townhouse or its accessory structure serves as part of a barrier and where doors or windows provide direct access to the pool or spa through that wall, one of the following shall be required: |
1. Remainder Unchanged |
2. Remainder Unchanged |
3. Remainder Unchanged |
4. Remainder Unchanged |
5. Remainder Unchanged |
6. Remainder Unchanged |
**Section 305.6; change to read as follows:
305.6 Natural barriers used in a one- and two-family dwelling or townhouse. In the case where the pool or spa area abuts the edge of a lake or other natural body of water, public access is not permitted or allowed along the shoreline, and required barriers extend to and beyond the water's edge a minimum of eighteen (18) inches, a barrier is not required between the natural body of water shoreline and the pool or spa.
**Section 307.1.4 Accessibility; add exception to section to 307.1.4 as follows:
Exception: Components of projects regulated by and registered with Architectural Barriers Division of Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shall be deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
***Section 307.2.2.2; add to read as follows:
Section 307.2.2.2. Adjacency to Structural Foundation. Depth of the swimming pool and spa shall maintain a ratio of 1:1 from the nearest building foundation or footing of a retaining wall. |
Exception: |
A sealed engineered design drawing of the proposed new structure shall be submitted for approval. |
**Section 310; change to read as follows:
310.1 General. Suction entrapment avoidance for pools and spas shall be provided in accordance with APSP 7 (ANSI/PHTA/ICC 7) or for public swimming pools in accordance with State of Texas Rules for Public Swimming Pools and Spas, Title 25 TAC Chapter 265 Subchapter L, Rule § 265.190. |
[Remainder unchanged] |
**Section 402.12; change to read as follows:
402.12 Water envelopes. The minimum diving water envelopes shall be in accordance with Table 402.12 Texas department of State Health services, Administrative Code Title 25, Chapter 265, Section 186(e) and Figure: 25 TAC 256.186(e)(6). (Delete Table 402.12 and Figure 402.12)
ADD: Figure: 25 TAC § 265.186(e)(6)
Maximum Diving Board Height Over Water | 3/4 Meter | 1 Meter | 3 Meters |
|---|
Max. Diving Board Length | 12 ft. | 16 ft. | 16 ft. |
Minimum Diving Board Overhang | 2 ft. 6 in. | 5 ft. | 5 ft. |
D1 Minimum | 8 ft. 6 in. | 11 ft. 2 in. | 12 ft. 2 in. |
D2 Minimum | 9 ft. | 10 ft. 10 in. | 11 ft. 10 in. |
D3 Minimum | 4 ft. | 6 ft. | 6 ft. |
L1 Minimum | 4 ft. | 5 ft. | 5 ft. |
L2 Minimum | 12 ft. | 16 ft. 5 in. | 19 ft. 9 in. |
L3 Minimum | 14 ft. 10 in. | 13 ft. 2 in. | 13 ft. 11 in. |
L4 Minimum | 30 ft. 10 in. | 34 ft. 7 in. | 38 ft. 8 in. |
L5 Minimum | 8 ft. | 10 ft. | 13 ft. |
H Minimum | 16 ft. | 16 ft. | 16 ft. |
From Plummet to Pool Wall at Side | 9 ft. | 10 ft. | 11 ft. 6 in. |
From Plummet to Adjacent Plummet | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 10 ft. |
**Section 411.2.1 and 411.2.2; change to read as follows:
411.2.1 Tread dimensions and area. Treads shall have a minimum unobstructed horizontal depth (i.e., horizontal run) of 12 inches and a minimum width of 20 inches. not be less than 24 inches (607mm) at the leading edge. Treads shall have an unobstructed surface area of not less than 240 square inches (154838mm2) and an unobstructed horizontal depth of not less than 10 inches (254 mm) at the center line. |
411.2.2 Risers. Risers for steps shall have a maximum uniform height of 10 inches, with the bottom riser height allowed to taper to zero except for the bottom riser, shall have a uniform height of not greater than 12 inches (305 mm) measured at the center line. The bottom riser height is allowed to vary to the floor. |
**Section 411.5.1 and 411.5.2; change to read as follows:
411.5.1 Swimouts. Swimouts, located in either the deep or shallow area of a pool, shall comply with all of the following: |
1. | Unchanged |
2. | Unchanged |
3. | Unchanged |
4. | The leading edge shall be visibly set apart and provided with a horizontal solid or broken stripe at least 1 inch wide on the top surface along the front leading edge of each step. This stripe shall be plainly visible to persons on the pool deck. The stripe shall be a contrasting color to the background on which it is applied, and the color shall be permanent in nature and shall be a slip-resistant surface. |
411.5.2 Underwater seats and benches. Underwater seats and benches, whether used alone or in conjunction with pool stairs, shall comply with all of the following: |
1. | Unchanged |
2. | Unchanged |
3. | Unchanged |
4. | Unchanged |
5. | The leading edge shall be visually set apart and provided with a horizontal solid or broken stripe at least 1 inch wide on the top surface along the front leading edge of each step. This stripe shall be plainly visible to persons on the pool deck. The stripe shall be a contrasting color to the background on which it is applied, and the color shall be permanent in nature and shall be a slip-resistant surface. |
6. | Unchanged |
7. | Unchanged |
**Section 610.5.1; change to read:
610.5.1 Uniform height of 9 10 inches. Except for the bottom riser, risers at the centerline shall have a maximum uniform height of 9 10 inches (229 254 mm). The bottom riser height shall be permitted to vary from the other risers.
**Section 804 Diving Water Envelopes; change to read as follows:
Section 804.1 General. The minimum diving water envelopes shall be in accordance with Table 804.1 and Figure 804.1, or the manufacturer's specifications, whichever is greater. Negative construction tolerances shall not be applied to the dimensions of the minimum diving water envelopes given in Table 804.1.
(Ordinance 2017-04-14 adopted 4/10/17; Ordinance 2025-03-23 adopted 3/24/2025)
