Hot tubs, pools and ponds

Hot tubs and swimming pools are required to be 1.2 m from side and rear property lines and may not be located in the actual front setback without a development permit.

There can be no wires over a hot tub, unless it is covered by an overhead structure. Any existing overhead wiring is required to be clear of any hot tub or swimming pool 5.0 m vertically and 5.0 m horizontally.

If a hot tub is supported by a structure that elevates the floor of the hot tub above grade, such as a deck or patio, an engineer’s stamp is required, regardless of the height of the structure.

If you’re putting your hot tub in a gazebo that is more than 10 m², or if the height of the gazebo floor is more than 0.6 m above ground level, the gazebo must have its own approved building permit.

If you plan to enclose a hot tub in a covered structure, such as a gazebo, accessory residential building rules will apply. Any covered structure over 10 m² in floor area will require a building permit. Any covered structure with a finished floor 0.6 m or more above grade will require an approved development permit.

As per Alberta Building Code, the water depth of a hot tub should not exceed 1.2 m measured from the hot tub floor to the water surface. The depth of water to a seat or bench in a whirlpool must not exceed 0.6 m.

Please review locking covers and fence and gate requirements for pool and hot tub building code standards. Please note that all permanently installed hot tubs and swimming pools must be wired by a qualified electrical contractor.

Please contact the Technical Assistance Centre for code-related inquiries about:

• Building
• Plumbing
• Gas
• Electrical
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
• Construction methods
• Building safety
• Fire regulations

For all other inquiries (i.e. Land Use Bylaw), please contact our Planning Services Centre.

Division B 7.2.2.1 of the 2014 Alberta Building Code

A fence and gate are not required for a single family dwelling, outdoor hot tub provided:

1. The hot tub includes a cover that:
   • has been designed and constructed in conformance with ASTM F 1346, “Safety Covers and Labeling Requirements for All Covers for Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs,” and
   • is provided with lockable devices to prevent access to the water by unauthorized persons.

Division B 7.2.2.1 of the 2014 Alberta Building Code

1. The entire area of an outdoor swimming pool must be protected by a fence, building wall or enclosure to prevent unauthorized access, and its height above grade must be a minimum of:
   • 1.8 m for a private swimming pool; and
   • 2.4 m for all other swimming pools
     
     A fence is not required for a swimming pool / hot tub if it:
   • is provided with a cover that has been designed and constructed in conformance with ASTM F 1346, “Safety Covers and Labeling Requirements for All Covers for Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs,” and
   • is provided with lockable devices to prevent access to the water by unauthorized persons.
2. Access through a fence shall be protected by a gate that is:
   • the same height as the fence;
   • equipped with a self-closing device;
   • equipped with a self-latching device installed at least 1.5 m above grade inside the gate; and
   • lockable.
3. The fence and gate shall be constructed:
   • so that all horizontal and diagonal support boards face the swimming pool side so the fence cannot be easily climbed, and
   • to prevent objects greater than 100 mm from passing through the fence boards.
4. Barbed wire cannot be used on or as a fence or gate.
5. Electric fencing and/or gates are not permitted.
6. A fence is not required around any portion of an above-ground outdoor private swimming pool if the top of the pool’s outside wall is at least 1.8 m above grade and is constructed so that the only access point is through a gate.