Is your pool setup safe?

  • May 14, 2025
  • Family, Housing
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Homme tenant un crayon et une planchette à pince observant la clôture qui entoure une piscine extérieure.
Corps

Pools usually mean fun with family or friends. But the risks related to swimming are very real, especially for children. This is why residential pool owners have to know and comply with a number of safety standards.

Is your pool outdoors and can the water be up to 60 cm deep? Whether your pool is inground, semi-inground, aboveground or portable, you must choose a safe setup.

Before you start the work to set up your pool, ask your municipality about the permits required.

Controlling access

Exceptions
An enclosure is not mandatory for aboveground models at least 1.2 m high or portable models at least 1.4 m high. For these, however, other safety conditions must be met. The conditions depend on the structure used to access the pool: platform, ladder or a deck attached to the house.

Other important measures

Deadline: September 30, 2025

Was your pool built before November 1, 2010? You have until September 30, 2025, to do the work required to comply with the standards described above.

Questions?

To learn more about the regulations that apply to residential pools, see this Guide or go to Quebec.ca.

The Protecteur du citoyen has no jurisdiction over the application of swimming pool rules, but the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation is responsible for the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Regulation. Feel free to contact us if you have a complaint to make about this government department. Our services are easily accessible, confidential and free of charge.