In Ontario’s Durham region, the Township of Brock is making changes to its pool fence bylaw to ensure compliance in effort to increase pool safety.
The updated bylaw incorporates a new fee structure and penalties to address existing deficiencies.
According to a report by DurhamRegion.com, under the updated bylaw, a $250 fee is now mandatory for a pool enclosure permit, encompassing above-ground and inground pools and hot tubs. A $500 fine is introduced for unauthorized work.
The report further indicates the reason for these changes emerged during a review of the Fences around Pools and Hot Tubs Bylaw (1936-2005-PP), which mandates proper enclosures for pool and hot tub owners. The previous $75 fee proved insufficient in covering the expense associated with processing applications and carrying out essential assessments and inspections. Further, there was no consequences for unauthorized installations.
According to the report, these adjustments are based on the estimated time and resources required for permit processing, including administrative tasks, plan assessments, and on-site inspections for compliance. The township’s goal is to address shortcomings in the current system and harmonize its regulations with neighbouring municipalities. For instance, Scugog charges between $300 and $600 for pool permits, while the fees in Whitby are $450.
