Pools and Hot Tubs | City of Oshawa

“Pool” means any body of water located outside of a building contained in whole or in part by artificial means in which the depth of water at any point can exceed 0.6 metres (24 inches) and includes swimming pools, hydro massage pools, hot tubs, spas, whirlpools and decorative ponds but does not include a Storm Water Management Facility or a Natural Body of Water.

The permit application contains a questionnaire that will determine the types of permits that are required for your pool.

Apply for permits

Below is a list of permits which may be required, along with helpful information to consider before beginning your pool or hot tub installation.

Site alteration permit

All installations and landscaping projects require review by our Engineering Division in Economic & Development Services. The review ensures that the intent of the existing grading on your property is respected to prevent an adverse impact to the neighbouring properties.

Site alteration application requirements

One (1) plan view sketch of the proposed work indicating the applicable dimensions and property size. The plan view sketch must show:

The details of the proposed pool and pool equipment pad
Proposed or existing landscaping
Property lines
Dimensions throughout
Overland flow drainage pattern of land
Proposed construction access
The land within 0.6m of the property line to remain undisturbed

Application fee: $600

Security Deposit: $1000 (returned when the work is done to the satisfaction of the City)

Pool enclosure permit

All properties in Oshawa which contain a pool, hot tub or decorative pond:

With a depth of 30 cm (12 in) to 60 cm (24 in) must have an enclosure with a minimum height of 120 cm (48 in);
With a depth exceeding 60 cm (24 in) must obtain a Pool Enclosure Permit and comply with specific standards related to the style and construction of the fence/enclosure.

Pool enclosure application requirements

Pool Enclosure Drawing to include:

- Lot lines
- Buildings: locations and what they are
- Location of proposed pool
- Enclosure: including fencing and location of gate(s)
- Door access to pool area and where it leads to in the dwelling
- Streets the lot is facing
- Driveway location

An Owner Authorization Form will also be required if someone other than the owner is submitting the application.

Application fee: $250

Enclosure requirements

The enclosure including gate must be between 1.5 m (5 ft.) and 2.2 m (7 ft. 2 in.) in height.
Gates must have a self‑closing mechanism and self-latching device located on the interior face (pool side) near the top of the gate.
Doors from a garage into the enclosure must be self‑closing with a self‑latching device at least 1.5 m (5 ft.) above the bottom of the door.
No gaps beneath or beside the fence may exceed 100 mm (4 in.).
No climbable objects may be within 0.9 m (35.4 in.) of the fence exterior, unless the fence height is increased to 1.8 m (6 ft.).

Pool enclosure options

Vertical wooden

Lattice does not count toward the required 1.5 m (5 ft.) fence height.
All wooden boards must be installed vertically.
Fence posts must be embedded at least 1.2 m (4 ft.) into the ground.
Maximum spacing between boards is 100 mm (4 in.).

Chain link

Fence height is measured from exterior grade to the top horizontal rail.
Mesh openings, including vinyl, must not exceed 38 mm (1½ in.) for a 1.5 m (5 ft.) fence or 50 mm (2 in.) for a 1.8 m (6 ft.) fence.
Mesh must be securely fastened to all posts, rails, and supports.
Fence posts must be set 1.2 m (4 ft.) deep in concrete.
A bottom tension wire is required for all chain‑link fences.

Metal

Minimum spacing between horizontal rails must be 0.9 m (35.4 in.).
Vertical rail spacing must be 100 mm (4 in.) or less.
Fence posts must be embedded 1.2 m (4 ft.) below grade.
Metal gates require a metal or plexiglass cover plate, at least 0.3 m × 0.3 m (12 in. × 12 in.) and 6.3 mm (1/4 in.) thick, over the latching device.

Gates

Gates must have a self‑closing mechanism and self-latching device located on the interior face (pool side) near the top of the gate.
All gates must be a minimum of 1.5 metres (5 ft.) in height.
Gates must have sturdy hinges capable of supporting their weight.
No plastic decorations or openings ≥ 100 mm (4 in.) are permitted on gates.
Double gates must have one self‑closing, self‑latching device; the other must be secured with a ground pin and remain closed unless supervised.

Full pool enclosure requirements can be found in the Pool Enclosure By-law.

Park Access Permit

A Park Access Permit is required if you need to access your property through City owned land.

Park access application requirements

Certificate of Insurance for the Contractor:

Minimum of $2 million General Liability insurance
City of Oshawa must be named as Additional Insured
Valid for dates Park/trail to be accessed

Application fee: $85

Security Deposit: Varies depending on site conditions and scope of work

Road Occupancy Permit

A Road Occupancy Permit is required if you need to store equipment and/or materials on the City roadway, boulevard or sidewalk or occupying roadway for a concrete truck or for a container to load/unload material or cross the boulevard or sidewalk.

Road Occupancy application requirements

Certificate of Insurance
- Applicant and Contractor, or
- Applicant with Contractor named as Additional Insured (as well as City being named as additional insured)

Property owner (considered the 'Applicant') must be listed as insured
2 million General Liability insurance
City of Oshawa must be named as Additional Insured
Certificates required for:
Certificates to be checked for effective dates and to see if site specific

Application fee: $85

Other considerations

The City is unable to provide any form of approvals related to pool construction, within new lots/subdivisions in which the grading of your lot has not yet received approval or “certification” from your home builder.

If you reside within a property that has been recently built (<2 years), you will be required to obtain approval of your proposed work through your builder, prior to proceeding. We recommend that you contact your respective builder to determine the status of your lot certification, as building a pool prior to receiving lot grading certification may be in contravention to your home purchase and sale agreement. Once you have confirmed that your lot grading has been approved/certified – we would be happy to proceed with your application.

The information above is for standard pool installations and landscaping projects. Special conditions may apply for corner lots, properties adjacent to Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (C.L.O.C.A.) lands, and more major projects.

All pools are required to be located in an enclosed side or rear yard. See the illustration to help determine yard locations on the property.

If you are building a deck and/or other structure or renovating the house in conjunction with the pool installation, a Building Permit may be required.

An owner may authorize another person to act as an agent on their behalf by filling out the Owner Authorization Form. The agent can represent the owner and attend inspections at the property if the owner is unable to do so.