State law changes rules for inflatable pool owners

Lackawanna, NY (WBEN) New York State established a new law in the new year requiring owners of inflatable pools to take the same safety and permit measures as standard pools.

"The major change to that is that now any pool that is capable of holding 24 inches or more of water is now considered a pool by state code standards, so that would include these inflatables and what they call the quick set pop up pools that traditionally homeowners have used on a temporary basis to enjoy summertime," says Lackawanna City Spokesman Chuck Clark. He says the code really reflects the fact it's not so much the structure of the pool anymore, whether it's temporary or permanent, but the depth of water and the safety issue associated with that depth of water. He says any pool that holds 24 inches or more are required to have the same permitting and electrical permitting requirements as a regular pool, as well as safety fencing, safety gate latching, and all the other requirements that come with a standard traditional pool.

In Lackawanna, Clark says a pool permit would cost about $60. "If there were electrical and other things involved, which usually for those quick sets isn't, but that would be another $65 So, in essence, if somebody had to start totally from scratch and do all of those accommodations, it would be $125 but if there's no electrical or any of those things involved, you're just running to an existing ground wire or something. It would be the $60 pool permit in Lackawanna," explains Clark.

Clark says the city is taking an approach of education and gradual enforcement because this is a major change for residents. "Lackawanna is an older housing stock community, not a lot of yards are large enough for traditional pools, so these blow-ups and quick sets have been the option to enjoy summertime outside of going to a beach or public pool, and so we're taking an education-first approach," notes Clark. "Our code enforcement officers are very experienced, they've been out in the community for many years, and they know many of the residents who use these pools, because actually the residents have been great and have reached out to us over the years to ask questions about compliance." He says code compliance officers currently have a list of people to talk to, but as they receive comments or concerns or questions about these pools, the city is educating people first. "We're encouraging folks who are considering installing them, or even buying them before they install them, to talk with us and get an understanding of the new state requirement," adds Clark.

Officials say the goal is to reduce drownings and other accidents.