If you own a residential pool with a depth of 400mm or more, it is your responsibility to make sure that your pool fencing or barrier complies to the Building Code. This is to ensure children under the age of five are kept safe at all times.

This still applies even if you don’t have any young children living at your property.

Council Compliance Officer Allan Charles says completing inspections in the winter months identifies matters that may need attention to ensure the barrier is compliant and the pool is safe before the swimming season starts.

“But also, because pools need to be safe at all times of the year.”

Aside from pool fencing, pool owners should also be monitoring and trimming any vegetation that grows near the barrier, and removing other climbable objects that are less than 1.2 metres from the fence.

“Examples are garden furniture like chairs, tables and sun lounges, as well as play equipment and plant pots,” says Allan.

“Another matter is pool barriers that are on the property boundary. Regularly checking on the neighbour’s side of the barrier may be necessary to ensure the neighbour’s side remains compliant, as things may change that assist child access without your knowledge.”

There are approximately one thousand pools in Waimakariri that must be inspected every three years under the Building Act 2004. These mandatory inspections do not apply to small heated pools, such as spa pools and hot tubs, where the barrier is a safety cover and other criteria is met to deem the small heated pool exempt.

If your pool is due for inspection, Council will contact you by email or post. If we do not hear from you within seven days, the inspector will enter your property during Council business hours to undertake the inspection.

If you require that the inspector visits on a specific day or time or if access to the pool is restricted (for example the property is securely gated or there are unrestrained dogs on the property) please contact us to arrange a mutually agreeable time to visit.

If you have become the owner of a residential pool within the last three years, or your contact details have changed, please let us know. Keeping your details up to date will help prevent any unexpected visits from our inspectors.

More information

• You can find more information about swimming pool safety and barrier requirements on our website
• Register your pool online
• Call us on 03 311 8906 if you need to update your details, or if you have any questions.