Waka Toa Ora

Important update for residential pool owners

Selwyn District Council media release: 30th January 2024

If you own a pool, including a portable one, it’s important that you are aware of, and comply with, the safety requirements. This will likely mean you need to install a barrier or fence, which may require a building consent.

Any pool or spa normally used for swimming, paddling, or bathing that is capable of holding a depth of water of 400mm or more, is required to have a physical barrier that safeguards against accidental access by unsupervised children under 5 years.

Pop-up pools sold by retailers also require a compliant pool barrier; even if you don’t fill up your pool all the way or only use it for a short time.

There are strict requirements for the barrier depending on the type of pool. A building consent is required for most pool barriers, except where the pool is a small, heated pool (like a spa) with a water surface area of 5m² or less that has a compliant safety cover. Inflatable spa pools will generally need to be fenced because most do not have covers that meet the small, heated pool safety cover requirements.

We keep a record of all the pools in the district, and the barriers surrounding each pool need to be inspected every three years.

Council charges a fee of $215 for this pool inspection, which covers the onsite inspection and associated administration. Our building compliance team are currently focusing on outstanding non-compliant pools.

If your pool has previously been inspected, and found to be non-compliant, you can expect a follow up visit from one of our inspectors in the next two months. If your pool remains non-compliant, you will receive a notice to fix, providing you with 30 days to comply. If you don’t meet this timeframe you will be given an infringement notice and charged a fee of $500.

Get more information about:

• Requirements for swimming pools and small heated pools; and
• Safety guidance for pool owners.