Pool Enclosure and Fence By-Law

The City of St. Catharines' Fence By-laws govern the rules and regulations around the construction, location, heights, maintenance and use of fences on private property. Properly constructed fences help protect your safety, improve property values and maintain the standards of the city.

Report an issue

You can report an issue around a Fence By-law infraction online.

We will contact you with an anticipated date that our inspector can make a site visit to determine if the issue is a valid infraction. If it is a valid infraction, we will send a notice to the resident, detailing the infraction, what is required for by-law compliance and how long the resident has to complete the modifications.

Anyone who does not comply with the notice may be subject to legal action.

Pool enclosure permits

If you are planning to construct a pool, whether it be an inground or above ground pool, a permit is required.

In general a pool enclosure permit is required for all inground pools and above ground pools capable of holding water more than 0.6m (approximately 24 inches) deep at any given section of the pool. In addition, decks around above ground pools may require a building permit. Permits are necessary to ensure compliance with zoning requirements, the Ontario Building Code for structural and safety standards, and other applicable Provincial and Municipal regulations. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to ensure a permit is obtained prior to any construction. Constructing a pool without a permit can result in numerous problems including:

Complaints from neighbours
Not conforming with the zoning and fencing by-laws
Difficulty selling the property
Incurring liability should an injury occur to someone (visiting your property) as a result of a structure not complying to the zoning or fencing By-laws
Extra cost in having to reconstruct the structure according to zoning and fencing by-laws
Creating drainage problems due to disturbing grades

What is the cost to apply for a pool enclosure permit?

Applying for a permit

The City's Building Permit Application Portal accepts submissions for installation of in-ground and above-ground pools and enclosures. If you are applying in person, please complete a Sign or Swimming Pool Enclosure Permit application. You also require two sets of detailed fence construction drawings, site plan and the required pool permit fees and deposit. Pool permits may be applied for by a property owner or by an agent on behalf the owner, such as the contractor or designer. Once we've issued your permit, you'll need to schedule a Pool Enclosure inspection, as outlined on the permit, at least 48 hours in advance.

Required drawings

Two complete copies of detailed fence drawings are required with the submission of an application. A complete detailed site plan and elevation drawing of the surrounding fences must be submitted. All applications are subject to approval by Horizon Utilities.

The following must be shown on the site plan:

North arrow
Scale
Easements
Street names
Lot dimensions
Location of fence enclosure and gates
Setbacks to all property lines at the proposed pool location & square footage of all buildings on the lot

The following must be shown of the fence elevation:

Spacing between posts
Spacing between vertical boards
Spacing between horizontal rails
Height of fence
Depth of posts in the ground
Indicate which side of the fence is the pool side and neighbour side

Decks and porches

If a deck for an above ground pool is to be constructed, drawings for the deck must be submitted with the pool permit application.

City of St Catharines “Site Plan” and “Guidelines for Decks” are available at the Planning and Building Services department.

The City of St. Catharines pool enclosure By-law and Zoning By-Laws contain regulations governing location of pools and fence requirements around privately owned pools.

Location: For information on the minimum setbacks from property lines for swimming pools please contact a zoning technician in the Planning and Building Services department at 905.688.5601 ext 1660.

Fence and gate requirements

All required fence and gates shall have a minimum height of 5’ above grade. They shall also maintain a maximum of 2” clearance under the required fence if the ground is primarily grass or earth and 4” maximum if the ground is primarily concrete or asphalt. Fence posts must be set a min 3’-0” below grade and treated with a wood preservative. Gates shall be self-closing and equipped with a self-latching device placed at the top and inside of the gate with a minimum distance of 4 feet above grade.

Refer to the examples of required fence drawings below for more information:

Site Plan Example:

Wood Fence Example:

Drawing of an example of a wood fence around a pool