Oakville has enacted a bylaw that says you cannot have an inflatable pool unless you have fences, gates, locks, and a $50 permit. No, I am not making this up. And apparently other municipalities in the GTA including Toronto are thinking about doing the same.

I guess it's just another bylaw that ensures that all you can do with your house is eat, sleep and pay taxes.

Only in Canada!

quote:

To reflect the latest trends in pool design, Council approved a new Pool Enclosure Bylaw and fee structure for all forms of pools, including temporary above-ground inflatable pools, landscape pond features and hot tubs. According to the new bylaw approved at Monday night's Planning and Development Council meeting, permits are required for most forms of pool structures, including the popular inflatable pool -- fast becoming the trend in backyards across the GTA. According to local retailers, more than 1000 of these pools were sold in the Oakville area within the last few years. Of those 1000 that may have made their way to backyards in Oakville, only four were filed with the Town. "Inflatable pools are incredibly affordable and that's the reason why we're seeing an influx of them across the Town," explained John Kwast, Director of Development Services for the Town of Oakville. "But just like any pool, inflatable ones are a safety risk if owners aren't protecting them properly." The Town's Pool Enclosure By-law, 2006-071 states that pools must be enclosed by a fence, restricted by a lockable gate if the depth capacity exceeds 60 cm (2 ft) and adhere to the appropriate setbacks from the property line. These enforced regulations are also applicable to backyard landscaping ponds, often overlooked as potential safety threats. Hot tubs require lockable lids if the property is not fenced or gated. Residents are required to apply for a permit for all forms of pools. The fee for temporary pool permits has been reduced to a one-time charge of $50. This fee covers the administration work necessary to allow staff to meet with the homeowner, explain the bylaw restrictions and ensure that a proper design drawing depicting the location of the pool is filed with the Town. The drawing then goes on record to serve as a reference for when the pool is reinstalled the following year. Another option and for an additional $50, staff will conduct a single inspection of the property to ensure compliance. Mr. Kwast advises that "although this option is not required, it is recommended." According to the Lifesaving Society of Canada, drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death in Canada for people 60 years of age and under. In fact, year after year the data shows that the majority of people who drown have no intention of going into the water. Their immersion is sudden and unexpected. "Not only are we encouraging homeowners to educate themselves about pool enclosures, but we're asking local retailers to let their customers know about this bylaw as well," says Mr. Kwast. "Our goal is to meet with local retailers in Oakville and have information about pool enclosures in all stores. An informed public is an aware public."

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Originally posted by jester Everything in this country is illegal.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery…" Winston Churchill

‎"If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law" - Winston Churchill