SWIMMING POOLS

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances tit. 5, ch. 89, art. III

in effect

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 89.100 Definitions.

89.100. - Definitions. For the purposes of Title 5, the following terms shall have the stated meanings: Portable swimming pool. Any rubber or plastic swimming pool which can be erected without permanent support. Private residential swimming pool. Any constructed or assembled swimming pool or portable swimming pool which is used or intended to be used as a swimming pool in connection with one- and two-family dwellings as defined in the building code, and available only to the family of the owner and guests. Swimming pool. Any structure, basin, chamber or tank constructed or designed to contain an artificial body of water for swimming, diving, relaxation or recreational bathing, and having a depth of two (2) feet or more at any point. (Ord. No. 2019-034, § 1, 8-23-19)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 89.110 Permit required.

89.110. - Permit required. No person shall construct or erect a private residential swimming pool or reconstruct any such pool or do any alteration, addition, remodeling or repair to such swimming pool that exceeds the value of one hundred dollars ($100.00) without first obtaining a permit from the building official. A permit shall be required for the re-erection of any such swimming pool which was once erected with permit or which was in existence at the date of the enactment of this article, and then disassembled, and which is not re-erected in the same location. (Ord. No. 2019-034, § 1, 8-23-19)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 89.120 Plans to be submitted.

89.120. - Plans to be submitted. Plans and specifications and pertinent explanatory data shall be submitted with the application for a permit. No new plan shall be required for the re-erection of a pool according to a plan previously submitted. The plans shall be reviewed relative to design, operation and maintenance insofar as health and safety features are concerned in accordance with the standards prescribed in this Code. The plans shall be drawn to a scale of not less than one-fourth inch per foot. The plans shall include the following data and such other information as may be reasonably requested by the building official: (1) The general layout of the entire building lot on which the pool is to be located, including the distances of the pool from the lot lines, the location of all utilities, and the location of any source of contamination within fifty (50) feet of the pool; (2) The dimensions of the pool, including the effective length and width of the pool and other similar items; and (3) The source of water supply and method of drainage, including all pipes, inlets, outlets and waste and discharge lines. (Ord. No. 2019-034, § 1, 8-23-19)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 89.130 Construction in accordance with approved plans; deviations.

89.130. - Construction in accordance with approved plans; deviations. Swimming pools, appurtenances, water supply and drainage systems and other features shall be constructed in conformity with the approved plans. If any deviations from such plans are desired, a supplementary plan covering that portion of the work involved shall be filed for approval and shall conform to the provisions of this article. (Ord. No. 2019-034, § 1, 8-23-19)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 89.140 Permit fee.

89.140. - Permit fee. Permit fees shall be pursuant to Chapter 91 of this Code. (Ord. No. 2019-034, § 1, 8-23-19)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 89.150 Design and construction requirements.

89.150. - Design and construction requirements. The design and construction of all private residential swimming pools shall comply with the following: (1) Structural design. The pool structure shall be engineered and designed to withstand the expected forces to which it will be subjected. (2) Overflow and surface drainage. The pool and surrounding area shall be constructed and arranged in such a manner that no splash or overflow water shall return to the pool. No surface or roof drainage shall be permitted to enter the pool. (3) Finish. Pool floor and walls shall have a cleanable, white or similar light-colored and impermeable surface. (4) Handholds. Handholds shall be provided and shall not be more than nine (9) inches above the normal water line and shall extend around the entire periphery of the pool. (5) Pool deck. Unobstructed deck areas not less than forty-eight (48) inches wide shall be provided to extend entirely around the pool. The deck surface shall be such as to be smooth and easily cleaned and of nonslip construction. The deck shall have a pitch of at least one-fourth (¼) inch to the foot, designed so as to prevent back drainage into the pool. If deck drains are provided, drain pipe lines shall be at least two (2) inches in diameter and drain openings shall have an open area of at least four (4) times the cross-sectional area of the drain pipe. The deck drain system shall have indirect connection to the sanitary sewer. The deck drains shall not be connected to the recirculation system piping. No deck, other than the ground surface, shall be required for any pool that is totally above ground and which is less than four (4) feet in height. (6) Steps or ladders. One (1) or more means of egress in the form of steps or ladders shall be provided from any pool having a water depth of thirty-six (36) inches or more. Treads of steps and ladders shall be equipped with nonslip material. (7) Plumbing. All plumbing connected to such swimming pool shall be installed in accordance with the Minnesota State Plumbing Code, Minn. Rule 4714. (8) Water supply. The water supply serving the swimming pool shall be potable water or of a quality otherwise acceptable to the commissioner of health. All portions of the water distribution system serving the swimming pool and auxiliary facilities shall be protected against backflow. Water introduced into the pool, either directly or to the recirculation system, shall be supplied through an air gap. When such connections are not possible, the supply shall be protected by a suitable backflow preventer installed on the discharge side of the last control to the fixture, device or appurtenance. (9) Drainage. Pools shall be equipped with facilities for completely emptying the pool to the sanitary sewer, or other suitable disposal unit acceptable to the building official. There shall be no direct physical connection between the sewer system and any drain from the swimming pool or recirculation system. Any swimming pool or gutter drain or overflow from the recirculation system when discharged to the sewer system, storm drain, or other approved natural drainage course shall connect through a suitable air gap or air break so as to preclude the possibility of backup of sewage or waste into the swimming pool piping system. The water from the pool shall not be drained onto the streets or sidewalk or any other public property or private property not owned by the pool owner. (10) Heaters. All gas-fired or oil burning swimming pool heaters and boilers shall comply with the plumbing code and heating code of the city. (Ord. No. 2019-034, § 1, 8-23-19)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 89.160 Electrical requirements.

89.160. - Electrical requirements. All electrical installations installed and used in conjunction with a residential swimming pool or portable swimming pool shall conform to the Minn. State Electrical Code. (Ord. No. 2019-034, § 1, 8-23-19)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 89.170 Chemical treatment.

89.170. - Chemical treatment. Gaseous chlorinating systems shall not be used as a disinfecting method for a private residential swimming pool or portable swimming pool. Below ground pools shall meet the requirements for recirculation, disinfection and water quality maintenance as required for public swimming pools as set forth in the state department of health miscellaneous environmental health rules. (Ord. No. 2019-034, § 1, 8-23-19)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 89.180 Fences.

89.180. - Fences. Outdoor private residential swimming pools shall be protected by a fence, wall, building or other enclosure or any combination thereof. All fence openings or points of entry into the pool area enclosure shall be equipped with gates. The fence and gates shall be at least four (4) feet in height. All gates shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices placed at the top of the gate or otherwise inaccessible to small children and provided with hardware for permanent locking devices. The openings between the bottom of the fence and the ground or other surface shall not be more than four (4) inches. (Ord. No. 2019-034, § 1, 8-23-19)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 89.190 Approval of other design and equipment.

89.190. - Approval of other design and equipment. Any swimming pool, the design and equipment of which incorporates features other than those set forth herein, shall be subject to review and approval by the building official and the commissioner of health in accordance with acceptable standards and in conformance with current public health and safety practices. (Ord. No. 2019-034, § 1, 8-23-19)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 89.200 Location.

89.200. - Location. No portion of a swimming pool or appurtenances thereto shall be located from the lot line at a distance less than that required for a side yard, as set forth in the zoning code. (Ord. No. 2019-034, § 1, 8-23-19; Ord. No. 2023-035, § 1, 5-25-23)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 89.210 Dangers to life and health prohibited.

89.210. - Dangers to life and health prohibited. No private residential swimming pool or portable swimming pool shall be used, kept, maintained or operated in the city if such use, keeping, maintaining or operating shall be the occasion of any nuisance or shall be dangerous to life or detrimental to health. (Ord. No. 2019-034, § 1, 8-23-19)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 89.220 Retroactivity.

89.220. - Retroactivity. The provisions of this article shall be applicable to all private residential swimming pools existing on September 8, 1972, except that sections 89.110 through 89.140 and 89.200 of this Code shall not apply unless such pool is disassembled. (Ord. No. 2019-034, § 1, 8-23-19)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 89.230 Enforcement officers specified.

89.230. - Enforcement officers specified. The building official, zoning administrator, and director of environmental health are authorized and directed to administer and enforce the provisions of this article. (Ord. No. 2019-034, § 1, 8-23-19)

Source: City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Park and Recreation Board Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/minneapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT5BUCO_CH89OTRE_ARTIIISWPOFetched: 11/2/2026