Building Regulations Pools

The Building Regulation requires pool owners are responsible for:

  • The maintenance of pool safety barriers to ensure they are operating effectively at all times
  • Ensuring access gates have a working self-closing/self-latching device
  • Ensuring household objects that could be used for climbing, such as tree branches, pot plants, pool pumps, chairs and BBQs are not within a 900mm radius of the gate or fence
  • Ensuring fences, especially boundary timber paling fences, are still in good repair and are not climbable
  • Ensuring pool gates are locked when not in use

There are penalties for failure to comply with pool laws. Significant fines and penalties apply for failure to obtain the necessary approvals for your pool or spa and barrier fencing.

  • You may be issued with a penalty, which can range from $500 - $1500
  • Council may seek to recover costs associated with enforcement activities
  • Breaches of building and control legislation may attract penalties of up to $70,000

Pool Types

Large portable or inflatable pools and spas:

  • Water height/depth 300mm (30cm) or greater (must be fenced by law)
  • Can be filled with a water capacity greater than 2,000 Litres*

*All pools with a water capacity of 2,000 litres or more require approval by Council or an accredited private certifier.

Pools with a filtration system - If your pool or spa has a filtration system you will need to:

  • Obtain approval from Council
  • Provide a fence/barrier that complies with the requirements of the Swimming Pool Act

Pools or spas on a deck or near a retaining wall

Check with Council if you are installing a pool or spa in the following areas

  • On a deck
  • On a balcony
  • On a suspended floor
  • Near a retaining wall

You may need engineering advice to determine if the structure can safely take the weight of the pool or spa.

Contact our Customer Service Team for more details: P: 1300 ASK SVC (1300 275 782) or E: [email protected]

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