The purpose of this chapter is to ensure that residential swimming
pools are used and enjoyed in a responsible manner that protects the
health, safety and well-being of all residents, guests and visitors
within the City of Rehoboth Beach.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms, phrases,
words, and their deviations shall have the meanings given herein.
When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present
tense include the future, words in the plural number include the singular
number, and words in the singular number include the plural number.
The word "shall," as used herein, is mandatory and not merely directory.
DISCHARGE
The water used for pool maintenance operations, including
but not limited to backwashing filters or cleaning filters, and includes
water splashed out of the pool by users.
DRAINAGE
The water removed from a pool to empty or partially empty
the pool or to control water level.
HOT TUB or SPA
A pool containing heated water which is not emptied after
each use, has a maximum depth of four feet, is large enough for the
immersion of at least one person and may have a high-velocity air
and/or water jet system.
QUALIFIED POOL OPERATOR
An individual, that is at least 18 years old, that is responsible
for the operation and maintenance of the pool water quality system
and the associated infrastructure and who has successfully completed
a pool operator training course recognized by the Delaware Division
of Public Health.
SWIMMING POOL (POOL)
Any structure intended for swimming, recreational bathing
or wading that contains water over 24 inches deep, including in-ground,
aboveground and on-ground pools; hot tubs; spas; and fixed-in-place
wading pools.
SWIMMING POOL, PRIVATE (PRIVATE POOL)
A swimming pool used in conjunction with a residential housing
unit governed by the International Residential Code (IRC), as amended,
and which unit and swimming pool are used solely by the owner, or
his/her family, and by guests, invitees, or friends invited to use
them without payment of any fee.
SWIMMING POOL, RENTAL (RENTAL POOL)
A swimming pool used in conjunction with a residential housing
unit governed by the International Residential Code (IRC), as amended,
and where the unit is rented for a fee.
All installations of pools and related equipment shall meet
the requirements of the International Residential Code, 2012, Appendix
G, "Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs," as adopted by the City of
Rehoboth Beach.
Circulating pumps and filters must be located inside the primary
structure or in an enclosure that reduces the amount of noise and
vibration produced.
A. The enclosure must be built to the requirements of the Building Code
and be insulated to reduce vibration and noise.
B. Such enclosures shall have appropriate louvered areas, including
vents, panels or doors, as well as ventilation required for exhaust
fans and heating systems.
C. The enclosure must have access that is accessible in case of an emergency.
D. Pool equipment legally existing at the time of adoption of this chapter
is not required to be enclosed until replacement or a permit is issued
for changes to the pool or its systems.
Rental pools shall be maintained by a qualified pool operator
as defined by the Delaware Division of Public Health. The pool operator
shall:
A. Maintain written records pertaining to the operation of the pool,
including the dates and times the pool was visited, the types of chemicals
used, the dates and times of chemical and bacterial tests, and the
dates and times of cleaning of the pool and backwashing of filters.
The required information may be provided in the form of a pool log
which must remain on site and be readily available for review.
B. At all times the property is rented, make, at a minimum, weekly visits
to the pool to ascertain its condition and perform necessary maintenance.
No private pool or rental pool shall be used until a pool operation
license has been obtained from the City.
A. Rental pool licenses shall be issued on an annual basis covering
the period from January 1 through December 31 of each calendar year,
and the annual fee shall be $50.
[Amended 5-4-2020 by Ord. No. 0520-02]
B. Private pool licenses shall be issued on a one-time basis to the
owner of the property, and the one-time fee shall be $50; however,
pools existing on the date of adoption of this section shall be exempt
from paying the initial fee but must otherwise obtain a license. An
initial inspection shall be conducted in conjunction with the issuance
of the pool license for the purpose of documenting site conditions.
Additional inspections may be required should changes to the pool,
pool equipment, or site be proposed through the application for a
permit or otherwise.
C. Each property shall be required to obtain a separate license of the
appropriate classification.
D. License fees shall not be prorated for a partial year.
E. Pool operation licenses do not transfer when property ownership changes.
F. A safety certification form shall be completed by the owner, or the
owner's reprsentative, as part of the annual rental pool licensing
process. Any owner may also request a rental pool inspection by the
City in lieu of completing the annual safety certification form.
[Amended 4-24-2019 by Ord. No. 0419-01]
G. Any new rental pool, or pool that has changed ownership, shall be
inspected by the City for compliance with the provisions of this chapter
and the building, health and safety requirements of the City and State
of Delaware. Following an inspection, a notice of compliance or listing
of deficiencies will be provided to the owner or the owner's
representative.
[Amended 4-24-2019 by Ord. No. 0419-01]
H. The City shall inspect all rental pools triennially and may conduct
additional inspections when deemed advisable by the City.
[Added 4-24-2019 by Ord.
No. 0419-01]
I. The City shall keep a registry of all licensed pools.
[Added 4-24-2019 by Ord.
No. 0419-01]
The carrying on of any commercial undertakings at a private,
residential or family pool entailing sales of food, drinks, novelties
or other merchandise is hereby prohibited.