[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township
of Shaler 7-8-2014 by Ord. No.
1925[1]. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall apply to all outdoor swimming pools hereafter
constructed as well as existing swimming pools, either above ground
or in the ground, having a depth of 24 inches or more at any one point.
A.
Before any work is commenced on the construction of a swimming pool
or on any alteration, addition, remodeling or other improvement to
a swimming pool, an application for a permit for construction, together
with plans and specifications pertinent to the construction, as well
as explanatory data, shall be submitted to the Building Inspector
of the Township for approval. No part of the work shall be commenced
until such approval has been granted to the applicant by a written
permit.
B.
All plans shall include a plot plan that bears the name and seal of a registered architect or registered engineer. The plot plan shall show the location of all buildings and the proposed pool on the property, together with the distances to all property lines in the immediate vicinity of the swimming pool and dwelling, together with any other auxiliary facilities and structures, including, but not limited to, source of water supply, plumbing facilities, discharge facilities, electrical wiring and fixtures. The plot plan shall also show the location, height and type of all fencing or enclosures as may be required by § 199-3 of this chapter. The plot plan shall also show the locations of any wells and sewage disposal systems as well as all rights-of-ways and easements on the property.
A.
Every outdoor swimming pool shall be completely surrounded by a fence,
wall or similar enclosure not less than four feet in height, which
shall be so constructed as to have no openings, holes or gaps larger
than four inches in any dimension. If the fence or wall is a picket
fence, the horizontal dimensions maintained shall not exceed four
inches. A dwelling or accessory building may be used as part of such
enclosure.
B.
All gates or door openings through such enclosure shall be equipped
with a self-closing, self-latching device on the pool side for keeping
the gate or door securely closed at all times when not in use, except
that the door of any dwelling or any accessory building which forms
a part of the enclosure need not be so equipped.
C.
Fences shall be erected around all new swimming pools prior to their
use.
A.
Non-corner lots. On non-corner lots, a swimming pool shall be located
directly behind the applicant's dwelling and shall be set back
a minimum of 10 feet from all property lines.
B.
Corner lots abutting two streets. On corner lots abutting two streets,
a swimming pool shall be located behind the rear facade line of the
applicant's dwelling and shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet
from any non-street-abutting property line.
D.
No swimming pool shall be so located as to interfere with the operation
of a well or on-site septic system or to be located where there is
a potential danger of a septic system discharging into the pool or
onto the adjacent area around the pool.
E.
No swimming pool or appurtenances shall be erected within a public
right-of-way or municipal easement unless the applicant has first
entered into a license agreement allowing the structure to be located
within the public right-of-way under terms and conditions agreed to
by Shaler Township and its Municipal Solicitor.
The application fee for the construction or alteration of a
swimming pool shall be in the same amount as determined by the Township,
based on the estimated cost of construction.
No permit to construct a new swimming pool shall be issued unless
and until the swimming pool complies with the following requirements:
A.
Material. The material used for lining a swimming pool shall be one
which is light in color, is impervious and will provide a tight tank
with easily cleaned surfaces. Sand or dirt bottoms are prohibited
if uncovered.
B.
Walls and bottoms. All pool walls and bottoms shall be designed to
withstand water pressure from within and to resist the pressure of
earth or groundwater when the pool is empty.
C.
Makeup water. Pools shall be equipped with suitable facilities for
adding makeup water as required. There shall be no physical connection
between the water supply line and the pool system. When makeup water
is added to the pool, the inlet shall be at least six inches above
the pool water surface.
D.
Drainage outlet. A drain line for a swimming pool may be connected
to a public storm sewer if one is available. Where a storm sewer is
not available, a pool drainage system shall be constructed to permit
the water to drain evenly over the property of the owner of the swimming
pool and in such a way that it does not create a hazard or nuisance
or danger to adjacent or abutting property owners.
E.
Recirculation. Provision shall be made for complete circulation of
water through all parts of the pool. The system shall be designed
and constructed so that a "turnaround" of at least one time in every
12 hours shall be provided. Recirculation systems shall consist of
pumping equipment, hair-and-lint catcher, filters, together with all
necessary pipe connections to the pool inlets and outlets, facilities
and pipe connections necessary for backwashing or cleaning filters.
All pools, including existing pools, shall be equipped with
a ladder or suitable stairs. Other equipment, consisting of life preservers,
ropes or poles, shall be readily available at the pool site.
Portable aboveground pools having walls four feet or greater in height may be excluded from the enclosure requirements of § 199-3, provided such pools are equipped with access ladders which may be raised and locked in a near vertical position or removed when the pool is unattended. All aboveground pools having walls four feet or greater in height and which are served by ladders or steps which cannot be raised and locked so as to prevent access by small children shall be enclosed in accordance with § 199-3 of this chapter.
Lights used to illuminate any swimming pool shall be so arranged
as to reflect light away from adjoining premises.
A.
All electrical installations shall conform to the specifications
of the National Electric Code. No electric wires or conductors shall
cross, either overhead or underground, on any part of a swimming pool,
nor shall any electric wiring be installed to any pool wall closer
than five feet, if underground, unless enclosed in a rigid conduit,
or within five feet, if overhead.
B.
All underwater lights must be watertight, self-contained units with
"ground" connections running from a waterproof junction box to a proper
ground facility or medium. All underground electric wires supplying
current to said lights within a distance of five feet of the pool
wall or walls shall be enclosed in rigid conduits.
C.
All metal fences, enclosures or railings near or adjacent to a swimming
pool which might become electrically charged as a result of contact
with broken overhead conductors, or from any other cause, shall be
effectively grounded.
The Building Inspector shall inspect or cause to be inspected
all pools at such times as deemed necessary to carry out the intent
of this chapter. The Building Inspector is hereby authorized to enter
upon any premises to take such samples of water from such pools at
such times as may be deemed necessary and to require the owner to
comply with the provisions of this chapter. The Building Inspector
shall have the power to suspend the construction or use of said pool
until such time as the provisions of this chapter are fully complied
with.
A.
Any person, persons, firm, partnership or corporation that violates § 199-2 of this chapter shall, upon conviction by the Magisterial District Judge for the magisterial district which includes the Township of Shaler, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $600 plus costs of prosecution, or imprisoned not more than 90 days, or both. Each and every day that a violation occurs shall constitute a separate and distinct summary offense under this chapter and shall be subject to separate and distinct penalties.
B.
Any person, persons, firm, partnership or corporation that violates any provision of this chapter except § 199-2 shall, upon conviction by the Magisterial District Judge for the magisterial district which includes the Township of Shaler, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs of prosecution, or imprisoned not more than 90 days, or both. Each and every day that such a violation occurs shall constitute a separate and distinct summary offense under this chapter and shall be subject to separate and distinct penalties.
No provision of this chapter shall prevent the Township from
instituting proceedings and seeking relief in the courts of equity
of the commonwealth if the Township shall deem such action necessary
to abate any violation of this chapter which constitutes a public
nuisance.
