Stay safe this summer: Oshawa’s Pool Enclosure By-Law reminder

With summer around the corner, the City of Oshawa is reminding residents with swimming pools, hot tubs and decorative ponds in their backyards about the importance of complying with the standards under the Pool Enclosure By-Law.

The City’s Pool Enclosure By-Law was established to help reduce the risk of water-related incidents and improve safety by requiring enclosures that meet minimum standards. These protective barriers assist in restricting access to swimming pools, hot tubs, and decorative ponds, particularly in helping safeguard young children.

All properties in Oshawa which contain a pool, hot tub or decorative pond must ensure that their enclosures meet the following standards:

• Pools, hot tubs, or decorative ponds with a depth between 30 cm (12 in) and 60 cm (24 in) must have an enclosure with a minimum height of 120 cm (48 in).
• For pools, hot tubs, or decorative ponds with a depth greater than 60 cm (24 in) a Pool Enclosure Permit is required, and enclosures must meet more specific requirements (e.g., a 1.5 m (5 ft) enclosure, appropriate latching and closing devices, and more depending on the type and style of the enclosure).

While pools can be a fun way to cool off in the summer, they also come with serious safety responsibilities. Research from the Lifesaving Society and Parachute Canada shows that properly designed pool enclosures significantly reduce the risk of drowning. Where enclosure details were known, 60% of drowning fatalities in private pools involved non-compliant or missing enclosures.

To support public safety, the City’s Municipal Law Enforcement Officers will be undertaking a compliance and education initiative throughout spring and summer to inform and assist residents in meeting the by-law’s standards.

To learn more about the Pool Enclosure Permit process, visit oshawa.ca/Pool or contact Licensing and Standards at 905-436-3311 ext. 2299.

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