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City of Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO
St. Louis County
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Cross reference — Pools of stagnant water to constitute public nuisance, § 13-60.
[Code 1964, § 26A-2]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated in this section:
PRIVATE SWIMMING POOL
Shall mean any constructed pool which is used or intended to be used as a swimming pool in connection with a single-family residence and available only to the family of the householder and his private guests.
PUBLIC OR SEMIPUBLIC SWIMMING POOL
Shall mean any swimming pool other than a private swimming pool.
[1]
Cross reference — Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.
[Code 1964, § 26A-1]
(a) 
Pools used for swimming and bathing shall be in conformity with the requirements of this section; provided that, these regulations shall not be applicable to any such pool less than twenty-four (24) inches deep or having a surface area less than two hundred fifty (250) square feet except when such pools are permanently equipped with a water recirculating system or involve structural materials. For purposes of this chapter, pools are classified as private swimming pools or public and semipublic pools as defined in section 25-1.
(b) 
Materials and constructions used in swimming pools shall comply with the applicable requirements of the city's building code.
(c) 
Pools used for swimming or bathing and their equipment or accessories which are constructed, installed and maintained in accordance with the applicable standards shall be deemed to conform to the requirements of the city's building code, provided, that the requirements of section 25-8 are included in the installation.
[Code 1964, § 26A-3]
(a) 
Permits. No swimming pool or appurtenances thereto shall be constructed, installed, enlarged or altered until a permit has been obtained from the city engineer.
(b) 
Plans. Plans shall accurately show dimensions and construction of pool and appurtenances and properly established distances to lot lines, buildings, walks and fences, details of water supply system, drainage and water disposal systems and all appurtenances pertaining to the swimming pool. Detail plans of structures, vertical elevations and sections through the pool showing depth shall be included.
[1]
Cross reference — Licenses and miscellaneous business regulations, Ch. 15.
[Code 1964, § 26A-4]
Private swimming pools shall not encroach on any front or side yard required by the city's building code or the governing zoning law.
[Code 1964, § 26A-5]
(a) 
Structural design. The pool structure shall be engineered and designed to withstand the expected forces to which it will be subjected.
(b) 
Wall slopes. To a depth up to five (5) feet from the top, the wall slope shall not be more than two (2) feet horizontal in five (5) feet vertical.
(c) 
Floor slopes. The slope of the floor on the shallow side of transition point shall not exceed one (1) foot vertical to seven (7) feet horizontal. The transition point between shallow and deep water shall not be more than five (5) feet deep.
(d) 
Surface cleaning. All swimming pools shall be provided with a recirculating skimming device or overflow gutters to remove scum and foreign matter from the surface of the water. Where skimmers are used, there shall be at least one (1) skimming device for each one thousand (1,000) square feet of surface or fraction thereof. Where overflow gutters are used, they shall be not less than three (3) inches deep, pitched one-quarter inch per foot to drains, and constructed so they are safe, cleanable and that matter entering the gutters will not be washed out by a sudden surge of entering water.
(e) 
Walkways. All public or semipublic swimming pools shall have walkways not less than four (4) feet in width extending entirely around the pool. Where curbs or sidewalks are used around any swimming pool, they shall have a nonslip surface for a width of not less than one (1) foot at the edge of the pool and shall be so arranged to prevent return of surface water to the pool.
(f) 
Steps and ladders. One (1) or more means of egress shall be provided from the pool. Treads of steps or ladders shall have slip-resistant surfaces and handrails on both sides; except, that handrails may be omitted when there are not more than four (4) steps or when they exceed the full width of the side or end of the pool. Exterior steps or ladders for portable pools shall be designed so as to allow the pool owner to make the pool inaccessible to unauthorized persons.
[Code 1964, § 26A-6]
(a) 
Water supply. All swimming pools shall be provided with a potable water supply, free of cross connections with the pool or its equipment.
(b) 
Water treatment. Public and semipublic swimming pools shall be designed and installed so that there is a pool water turnover at least once every eight (8) hours. Filters shall not filter water at a rate in excess of three (3) gallons per minute per square foot of surface area. The treatment system shall be so designed and installed to provide in the water, at all times when the pool is in use, excess chlorine of not less than 0.4 p.p.m. or more than 0.6 p.p.m., or excess chloramine between 0.7 and 1.0 p.p.m., or disinfection may be provided by other approved means. Acidity-alkalinity of the pool water shall not be below 7.0 or more than 7.5. All recirculation systems shall be provided with an approved hair and lint strainer installed in the system ahead of the pump. Private swimming pools shall be designed and installed so that there is a pool water turnover at least once every eighteen (18) hours. Filters shall not filter water at a rate in excess of five (5) gallons per minute per square foot of surface area. The pool owner shall be instructed in proper care and maintenance of the pool, by the supplier or builder, including the use of high test calcium hypochlorite (dry chlorine) or sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine) or equally effective germicide and algaecide, and the importance of proper pH (alkalinity and acidity) control.
(c) 
Drainage systems. The swimming pool and equipment shall be equipped to be completely emptied of water and the discharge water shall be disposed of in an approved manner, that will not create a nuisance to adjoining property.
[Code 1964, § 26A-7]
(a) 
Appurtenant structures. All appurtenant structures, installations and equipment, such as showers, dressing room, equipment houses or other buildings and structures, including plumbing, heating and air-conditioning, amongst others appurtenant to a swimming pool, shall comply with all applicable requirements of the city's building code and the zoning law.
(b) 
Accessories. All swimming pool accessories shall be designed, constructed and installed so as not to be a safety hazard. Installations or structures for diving purposes shall be properly anchored to insure stability and properly designed and located for maximum safety.
[Code 1964, § 26A-8; Ord. No. 1352, § 11, 7-2-1987]
(a) 
Overhead electrical conductors. No overhead electrical conductors shall be installed within fifteen (15) feet of any swimming pool. All metal fences, enclosures or railings near or adjacent to swimming pool to which bathers have access, which may become electrically alive as a result of contact with broken overhead conductors, or from any other cause, shall be effectively grounded.
(b) 
Equipment installations. Pumps, filters and other mechanical and electrical equipment for public and semipublic swimming pools shall be enclosed in such a manner as to be accessible only to authorized persons and not to bathers. Construction and drainage shall be such as to avoid the entrance and accumulation of water in the vicinity of electrical equipment.
(c) 
Swimming pool safety devices. Every person owning land on which there is situated a swimming pool, fish pond or other body of water, which constitutes an obvious hazard and contains twenty-four (24) inches or more of water in depth at any point, shall erect and maintain thereon an adequate enclosure either surrounding the property or pool area, sufficient to make such body of water inaccessible to small children. Such enclosure, including gates therein, must be not less than four (4) feet above the underlying ground. All gates must be self-latching with latches placed four (4) feet above the underlying ground and otherwise made inaccessible from the outside to small children.