The pool enclosure shall extend from the ground to a height of not less than 1.53 metres (5 feet)
Swimming Pools
In the County of Brant, owners of private swimming pools must apply for a Swimming Pool Permit to build and maintain fences and gates around their swimming pools. These enclosures are needed to prevent people or animals from entering without your permission.
Find more information on pool enclosure requirements such as heights, openings, materials and ground clearance in the Municipal Swimming Pool Enclosure By-Law (PDF)
On this page:
What is considered a swimming pool?
- Located outdoors on private property
- Capable of holding water in excess of 600 mm (23.5 inches) in depth at any point
Before applying for a Swimming Pool Permit
Step 1 - Conservation Authority and Grading approvals
Conservation
Much of the County of Brant is regulated through various conservation authorities including the Long Point Region Conservation Authority and the Grand River Conservation Authority. Each of these regulatory agencies have different requirements and it is important to know how they may impact your project as many of them are required to be in place prior to applying. View the websites below to determine if your property falls within either authority.
- Visit the Long Point Region Conservation Authority website
- Visit the Grand River Conservation Authority website
Grading
- It is essential that all lots in the County of Brant be graded properly to ensure that surface water drainage is directed away and does not adversely affect the neighbouring properties.
- Prepare a Site Plan showing the location of the swimming pool enclosure, swimming pool and swimming pool equipment on the property in relation to the location of the property lines, street lines, sewage system and all buildings on the property.
Email the completed site plan to the Development Engineering Department for review.
Step 2 - Gather required documents
- Swimming Pool Fence Details Document (PDF) if a fence is being used as the pool enclosure
- Grading comments and/or approved grading plan
- Conservation Authority approvals (if applicable)
- Detailed Site Plan including:
- The address of the property
- All property lines and surrounding streets shown and labelled
- All existing buildings and structures on the property labelled
- Proposed location and size of the pool
- Distances from the proposed pool to existing structures and property lines
- Location of the pool equipment
- Location of the fence pool enclosure (if applicable)
- Location of septic system (if applicable) and distance to the proposed pool
Pool Enclosure Requirements
Chain link fence:
- Shall not have any openings having a diameter exceed 38.01mm (1.5 inches).
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Must be supported by a minimum of 38.01 mm (1.5 inches) galvanized steel posts, spaced not more than 2.44 metres (8 feet) apart.
- Must have the bottom rail located a maximum of 76.01 mm (3 inches) from the ground.
Wood:
- Must be constructed of solid panels, vertical boards or vertical pickets having horizontal rails not less than 1.22 m (4 feet) apart vertically from the top of the bottom horizontal rail to the top of the upper horizontal rail.
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Openings between the panels must be spaced not more than 3.81 cm (1.5 inches) apart
- Must be supported by posts that measure a minimum of 100.1 mm x 100.1 mm (4 x 4 inches), spaced not more than 2.44 metres (8 feet) apart.
Wrought iron or other metal type:
- Have horizontal members, including top and bottom rails, that are spaced at least 1.22 m (4 feet) apart and vertical members that are spaced no more than 100.1 mm (4 inches) apart on the exterior face of the fence.
The space at any point between the pool enclosure and ground level must not exceed 76.01 mm (3 inches) and the ground beneath the pool enclosure cannot be loose gravel or other material that can be easily removed so as to afford access under the pool enclosure.
All horizontal structural members must be located inside of the pool enclosure as to prevent easy climbing.
Location of Pool:
- Your pool can be located in the interior side yard or rear yard.
- It cannot be closer than 1.2 m (4 feet) to any lot line and in the case of a corner lot shall be no closer than 3.5 metres from the exterior side lot line.
Location of Pool Equipment:
Equipment with circulating water or treating equipment, such as pumps or filters shall be located minimum 3 metres (9.84 ft) to any side or rear lot line.
Every owner shall ensure that every gate forming part of a pool enclosure:
- is constructed in accordance with the standards prescribed in Section 5 of the By-law.
- is supported on substantial hinges,
- is equipped with a self-closing device and with a self-latching device that is located at the top and on the inside of the gate, at least 1.22 m (4 feet) above the ground level.
For assistance or inquiries, contact us below.
- A Swimming Pool permit fee of $250.00 is required prior to approval of the application.
- A lot grading review fee may be applicable.
After your swimming pool enclosure has been constructed, call 519.44.BRANT(519.442.7268) or e-mail the Bylaw Division to arrange for a mandatory inspection by a Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Officer.
The inspection must be completed before the pool is filled with water.
Page last updated on June 23, 2025
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