Swimming Pools & Hot Tubs

This info will help guide you through adding a swimming pool or hot tub on a residential property. It is important to first obtain the necessary permits, to avoid incurring extra cost to fix deficiencies.

Permit requirements

Development permit

A development permit is not required for an interior or exterior hot tub in a residential district. However, outdoor hot tubs must be a minimum distance from property lines, and they are not allowed in front yards or exterior side yards.

Diagram: examples of placement on lot:

Setbacks for pools & hot tubs

Building permit

A building permit is required for an exterior hot tub 24" deep or more, whether temporary or permanent.

Hot tub safety requirements

Hot tubs (or whirlpools) which have a water depth of 600 mm (24") or more have specific requirements under the Alberta Building Code.

Hot tub unit

  • Unit must be CSA approved.
  • Water fill valve must have backflow prevention.
  • In order to place a hot tub on a deck, engineering will be required.

Fencing

  • Access to the area around any private hot tub (permanent or temporary/seasonal) must be prevented by a minimum 1.8 meter fence, building wall or enclosure.
  • A gate(s) which provide access to the hot tub area must be present, which:
    • Is the same height as the fence
    • Has a self-closing device
    • Has a self-latching device which is minimum 1.5 meters above ground level
    • Is capable of being locked
  • A fence is not necessary around an exterior hot tub for a single family dwelling, provided that:
    • The hot tub does not exceed 2.4 meters (8 feet) across at the widest portion of the water surface, and
    • The hot tub has a cover that has been designed and constructed in conformance with ASTM F1346-91, "Standard Performance Specification for Safety Covers and Labeling Requirements for All Covers for Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs" with lockable devices to prevent unauthorized access to the water.

Wastewater

  • Waste water must be discharged to the City's sanitary sewer system, or infiltrated within the yard of the property.

Overhead wiring

  • Any nearby overhead wiring cannot be above a hot tub extending for a 5.0 meter radius in all directions from the edge of a hot tub.

Electrical requirements

  • All electrical work associated with pools and hot tubs must be performed by a certified electrical contractor.
  • Electrical requirements for temporary/seasonal hot tubs will be evaluated on a per-case basis by a Safety Codes Officer.
  • Receptacles cannot be located within 1.5 meters of the inside walls of a hot tub.
  • The following equipment must be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter:
    • Electrical equipment placed in hot tub water, within hot tub walls or within 3.0 meters of the hot tub, and not separated by a fence, wall or other permanent barrier
    • Audio amplifiers connected to speakers in the water
    • Receptacles which are located between 1.5-3.0 meters of the hot tub
    • Receptacles in wet areas of a building associated with the hot tub (locker, change room)

For more information about hot tub safety, contact a Safety Codes Officer.

Trade permits

Trade permits may be required if the proposed project involves specific considerations:

  • Electrical Permit: specific electrical requirements apply to hot tubs.
  • Plumbing Permit: for installing or modifying plumbing systems or any plumbing equipment.

 

Type of pool Development Permit required City engineering review required Building Permit required
Temporary/seasonal pool, less than 24" deep No No No
Temporary/seasonal pool, 24" deep or more (A) (B) Yes
Permanent pool, less than 24" deep (A) (B) No
Permanent pool, 24" deep or more Yes (B) Yes
Decorative pond, less than 24" deep (C) No No
  • (A): Typically not required, but not allowed to be located in front yard or side yard. Setback restrictions apply; see Setbacks diagram below.
  • (B): Depends on geotechnical considerations with the site, such as slope
  • (C): Conditions may apply. For more information, visit Landscaping and ponds

For more information, contact Planning & Development Services

Development permit

A development permit is required for a permanent pool 24" deep or more. Planning staff will consider the size of your pool (site coverage) and will advise you on necessary distances from property lines. Depending on your lot, other factors may also be applicable. For more info, contact us

See diagram for examples of placement:

Setbacks for pools & hot tubs

 

  

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Before applying for building and trade permits, you must apply for a Development Permit.

 

 

 

Building permit

A building permit is required for a swimming pool 24" deep or more, whether temporary or permanent, outdoor or indoor. To learn more, visit: Building Permits

Private pool safety requirements

Swimming pools which have a water depth of 600 mm (24") or more have specific requirements under the Alberta Building Code.

These safety requirements are for private above-ground pools. For further requirements for private below-ground pools or public swimming pools, contact a Safety Codes Officer

Fencing

  • Access to the area around any private pool (permanent or temporary/seasonal) must be prevented by a minimum 1.8 meter fence, building wall or enclosure.
  • A gate(s) which provide access to the pool area must be present, which:
    • Is the same height as the fence
    • Has a self-closing device
    • Has a self-latching device which is minimum 1.5 meters above ground level
    • Is capable of being locked

Deck

  • The deck surface must be nonslip when wet.
  • If the deck is 600mm (2 feet) or more above ground level, guards are required
  • Deck and guards may be combined to meet the fencing requirements.

Wastewater

  • Waste water must be discharged to the City's sanitary sewer system.

Overhead wiring

  • Any nearby overhead wiring cannot be above the pool, diving structure, or any other pool structure, or above the area extending 5.0 meters horizontally from the pool edge.

Electrical requirements

  • All electrical work associated with pools and hot tubs must be performed by a certified electrical contractor.
  • Electrical requirements for temporary/seasonal pools (e.g. pumps) will be evaluated on a per-case basis by a Safety Codes Officer.
  • Pumps for permanent pools must have hardwired connection.
  • No electrical receptacles can be located within 3.0 meters of the inside wall of a pool.
  • The following must be bonded together by a copper bonding conductor:
    • Any metal parts of the pool and other non-electrical equipment within 1.5 meters of pool (piping, ladders, diving boards, fences etc.)
    • Non-current carrying metal parts of electrical equipment
  • Bonding conductors cannot be smaller than #6 AWG for a permanent pool or in-ground pool.
  • The following equipment must be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter:
    • Electric pump, if located within 3.0 meters of pool wall
    • Electrical equipment placed in pool water, within pool walls or within 3.0 meters of the pool, and not separated by a fence, wall or other permanent barrier
    • Audio amplifiers connected to speakers in the pool water
    • Receptacles in wet areas of a building associated with the pool (locker, change room)

For more information about pools safety, contact a Safety Codes Officer

Trade permits

Trade permits may be required if the proposed project involves specific considerations:

  • Electrical Permit: dependent on electrical requirements of the planned pool.
  • Plumbing Permit: dependent on plumbing requirements of the planned pool.
  • Gas Permit: dependent on heating requirements of the planned pool.

To learn more, see: Trade Permits

How to apply

Apply for a swimming pool (permanent or temporary) or hot tub

Apply online

New to ePermit?
See user guide

We can help you apply online. Contact us by email or phone (403) 529-8374.

Online:

  • Visa or Mastercard

In-person:

  • Debit
  • Cash
  • Cheque
  • Visa or Mastercard

Mail:

  • Cheque

Fees and charges

How long will it take to approve permits?

  • Development permits: Timelines vary based on application type and the impact to the community.
  • Building permits: Typically within 15 business days, provided that an approved Development permit (if required) has been issued. The timeline of a Building permit application will increase if amendments or resubmissions are needed from the applicant.
  • Trade permits: Typically within 5 business days, provided the associated Building permit (if required) has been issued.

When planning an outdoor swimming pool or hot tub, it is important to know where utilities are located on your property. Locates are free of charge but require at least three days notice.

To obtain line locates, visit:

Line locates

To book required inspections for construction work, visit:

Inspections

By not obtaining permits for work done on your home, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to potential future legal and financial issues when selling your property or making an insurance claim. There could also be consequences if you do not correct the situation, such as:

  • Enforcement action issued by a Safety Codes Officer.
  • A fine for building without a permit.
  • Having to undo work that has been completed.
  • Future legal and financial issues when selling your property or making an insurance claim.
  • Having to do more work than was originally planned and budgeted, to fix deficiencies.
  • Potential liability to you, the homeowner, in the event of an accident.

As a homeowner, you are responsible for paying any penalties, even if you hired a contractor who assured you that permits were not required.

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