Building and installing pools and pool fencing

If you are building or installing a swimming or spa pool you will need building consent regardless of the size or capacity of the pool. Pools and fencing must also comply with the requirements of the North Shore City District Plan therefore resource consent may also be required if:

• The pool is built/installed in close proximity to property boundaries
• You are excavating to a depth of 1.5m or more
• The pool fence is in close proximity to property boundaries and over 1.8m high
• Other zoning restrictions apply.

If you are planning to build a deck around your pool, additional building and resource consent restrictions may also apply.

You will need to meet standard plumbing and drainage requirements to prevent chemically treated pool water backwashing into the water supply. There are also rules about installing pools in close proximity to council stormwater or sewer pipes (see our ‘Building near public sewers' brochure).

Building near public sewers PDF (676KB)

Alternatively, contact Actionline on 486 8600 to obtain a copy.

Your building consent application for a swimming pool must include:

• Three copies of the site plans to a minimum scale of 1:100 (must be of good quality and in ink).

Plans must show:

• Accurate location of the pool and fences
• Distance of the pool from boundaries and other buildings
• Plan and cross sections of the pool with dimensions
• Location of existing public drains - if in close proximity to the pool, position and depth of drains must be confirmed by an engineer or surveyor
• Existing buildings and position of existing storm and foul water drains
• Details of new and existing fences to show compliance with the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987, with the guidance of the New Zealand Standard NZS 8500:2600 - Safety Barriers and Fences Around Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs.  Two sets of specifications and producer statements where applicable.
• Two sets of specifications and producer statements where applicable.

Your pool installer, architect, consultant and/or builder will be able to advise you on meeting the relevant building and resource consent requirements for pools and fences.

Please note, obtaining a building consent and passing related building inspections does not necessarily mean your obligations have been met under the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act and a separate pool inspection is required to ensure fencing compliance.

Visit our building and resource consent pages by clicking the links below for more information. Consent application forms are available from Actionline on 486 8600, our Area Offices and Environmental Services.

Building consents
Resource consents

Best practice pool fence example

Spa Pool Fencing

Above-ground spas and hot tubs

Above-ground spas and hot tubs shall meet all of the following:

(a)        The top of the spa pool or hot tub shall be positioned with the entire top surface not less than 760mm above the surrounding ground or deck;

(b)        The cover shall be lockable and shall be kept locked when the spa pool or hot tub is not being used or supervised.  A locking device shall contain a mechanical locking or a self-locking mechanism in addition to latching shut;

(c)The locks shall not be able to be readily opened or released by a child up to the age of six years;

(d)        When locked the cover shall be fitted so that if lifted it does not release the locking device or provide a clearance greater than 100mm;

(e)        the cover shall be made of a material that if walked on cannot collapse and can withstand the weight of at least 20 kg to ensure that it will more than take the weight of  a child up to six years of age;

(f)         The cover shall be constructed of material that meets ASTM F1346-91 to allow easy movement on and off the spa pool or hot tub;

(g)        The cover shall be constructed with a taper from the centre hinge to the outside edge of the cover so that water will not pond on top of it;

(h)        The cover shall have an evenly spaced mechanical locking device as required in (b) which shall be positioned to ensure the cover cannot be lifted more than 100mm by a child up to six years of age, and ensures that the cover is fixed securely to the spa pool or hot tub;

(i)         The cover and locks shall be maintained at all times in a good state of repair;

(j)         Warning stickers/signs shall be placed on the cover to advise that it shall be locked in place when the spa pool or hot tub is not being used or supervised;

(k)        Removable steps, movable furniture, or other objects that can assist a young child to climb onto the cover, shall be stowed/stored away at least 1200mm from the side of the spa pool or hot tub.

Non-compliant above-ground spa pools and hot tubs

Failure to comply with the above will require a barrier/fence complying with the Standard.

In-ground spa pools are classified as a swimming pool and need to comply with the same requirements for fencing as a swimming pool.

You will need Acrobat Reader to view PDF documents which can be downloaded free from www.adobe.com.