News

Aug 23, 2023

What to know about installing a pool in CT, from permits to decks

The pool at the home on 1287 Rock Rimmon Road in Stamford, Conn., which was

The pool at the home on 1287 Rock Rimmon Road in Stamford, Conn., which was previously owned by the "King of Swing," Benny Goodman.

Connecticut residents got a glimpse of summer weather last week as temperatures climbed to a record high in parts of the state. For some, that meant it was time to open or install their pool.

According to its most recent State Building Code, Connecticut requires that in-ground and above-ground pools, spas and hot tubs contain water over 24 inches deep and have fewer than 5,000 gallons. For those considering installing a pool for cooling off in the summer, here are some basics you need to know.

The state of Connecticut requires pool owners to obtain a permit if they want to "construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move or demolish" a pool or spa, according to the 2022 Connecticut State Building Code. Residents with prefabricated swimming pools, on the other hand, do not need a permit and can continue to use it in its original design. They also do not need a permit to replaster or resurface an existing pool.

Applicants should fill out the form provided by the town and send it to the code official. The application involves paying permit fees and including construction documents that have drawings of the boundaries of the property, any structure on the property and the pool's location. These documents must also detail information about the pool alarm, pool ladder and pool barriers.

Once the application and construction documents are approved, the code official would then inspect the site and conduct tests. If the site complies with Connecticut's code, the permit holder would receive a notice of approval.

Owners of in-ground and above-ground pools, or spas are required to construct a fence. The enclosure must be greater than four feet high and its openings must be smaller than a four-inch sphere.

The gap between the bottom of the fence and the ground must be less than two inches. The space between horizontal pieces should be less than 45 inches and spacing between vertical or diagonal members should be less than 1.75 inches. The fencing can't have any protrusions and must be a solid barrier, meaning a stone wall doesn't qualify as a fence. Pools must also have an access gate with self-latching devices and pool alarms.

However, a pool with a powered automatic cover that complies with ASTM F1346 standards does not need a fence. Connecticut adopted these new regulations from the 2021 International Swimming Pool Spa Code on Oct. 1, 2022, along with many other standards.

Pool decks must be slip resistant and the open gap between decks and the adjoining walkaways should be less than 0.75 inches. For wood decks, the gaps between the deck boards should be consistent with approved engineering methods for the type of wood used, according to the 2021 International Swimming Pool Spa Code.

Step risers for decks of residential pools and spas shouldn't be taller than 7.5 inches and the tread distance from front to back should be greater than 10 inches.

A patio off the rear of the house wraps around the in-ground pool and leads to the pool house.

To file a permit application, it is essential that owners know their property line, which they can find on a property plat. The rules around distance from the property line apply to both pool equipment and the structure, and the regulations vary by town.

For example, in Norwalk, the pool wall should be greater than six feet from the rear or side property line or more than 10 feet from the street property line. In Bristol, a swimming pool must be aligned with the back of the house and located more than five feet away from the property line. Waterbury requires that residents install their pools at least ten feet away from the house.

Many towns in Connecticut require that residents place swimming pools in their backyards, as required by the Basic Building Code of the State of Connecticut.

In West Hartford, for example, swimming pools, pumps, filters and pool-water disinfection equipment installations should be located more than 10 feet away from "any side or rear property line or building line."

Above and in-ground pools share pretty much the same barrier, property and permit requirements. Pools must have a means of entry and exit and must have a ladder or ladder/staircase combo, according to the 2021 International Swimming Pool Spa Code. Ladders must have a physical barrier to prevent children from swimming through the riser openings and behind the ladder, and it must have two handrails.

Owners of above-ground also need to install safety signs such as "no diving" signs that are provided by the pool manufacturer and should place them in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Owners also should place their cantilevered decks less than one inch higher than the top of the pool wall and non-cantilevered decks should be placed at the same height as the pool wall.