Safety of Residential Pools
Introduced in July 2010, the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Regulation, is a provincial law that all municipalities are required to enforce. Its main goal is to prevent child drownings by restricting access to residential pools through safety measures such as secure fencing. In May 2021, the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation announced a revision of the regulation that puts an end to grandfathering for pools built before November 1, 2010. The obligation to comply applies to all owners of pools and spas of 2000 litres or more, including those installed before 2010.
Important
As of September 30, 2025, all residential pools must comply with this regulation. Inspections will be carried out by the City to ensure that residential swimming pools comply with current regulations. Fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 per day could be imposed for any pool or spa that does not comply with the regulation.
Responsibilities of owners of residential pools
As a pool owner, you are responsible for the safety of your pool and surrounding installations. This includes ensuring compliance with both municipal, as well as provincial regulations under the Residential Pool Safety Regulation. All owners of pools and spas of 2000 litres or more must complete and submit the declaration and self-assessment form. Please follow the steps below.
Step 1: MANDATORY declaration and Self-Assessment Form
The City of Westmount's Residential Pool Safety Declaration and Self-Assessment must be completed by all owners of residential outdoor pools. It allows you to independently verify the compliance of your installation. The results will indicate which elements require adjustments.
In addition, this step enables the City to assess whether any corrections need to be made to your installation, and to determine which elements must be addressed.
Step 2: Contact the City
If corrective work is needed to bring your pool installation into compliance, you must first obtain a permit or certificate of authorization issued by the City of Westmount.
In this case, please contact the Urban Planning Department at inspections@westmount.org. A municipal agent will guide you through the steps required to secure your pool. If necessary, an inspector will visit the site to verify the existing conditions.
Step 3: Request a Permit
If required, follow the steps to obtain a permit that will allow you to carry out necessary modifications to your pool area in full compliance.
Be sure to apply for any necessary permits well in advance. Depending on the nature of the work, obtaining a permit may take several weeks after submitting an application. Allow sufficient time not only for permit approval, but also for completing the work before the regulations come into effect.
All installations must be up to provincial and municipal safety standards by September 30, 2025.
Preparing and Submitting Your Permit Application
Permits are required for:
Building, renovating, or replacing a pool
Installing fences, enclosures, gates, or decks connected to a pool
Adding accessories such as diving boards and ladders
Installing or relocating mechanical equipment
Minor modifications to an existing enclosure (modification or addition of a latch, addition of a door closer, etc.) do not require a permit.
Review Period
Please allow for a processing period before receiving a response to your application. The timeline may vary depending on the type of proposed work, but usually does not exceed 10 business days. If corrections are required to your permit application, the inspector will notify you.
Permit Issuance
The permit will be issued upon project approval once all required signatures are obtained and applicable fees are paid.
Step 5: Final Inspection
A City inspector will visit your property to confirm that your pool area, and all required modifications that have been completed, meet the applicable standards.
To schedule a specific time for this visit, you may contact the Urban Planning Department at inspections@westmount.org
Inspection of Residential Pools
As mandated by provincial law, the City of Westmount is responsible for enforcing the Residential Pool Safety Regulation. Beginning in summer 2025, inspectors will circulate on Westmount's territory to verify whether pools comply with regulatory requirements. In accordance with the powers granted by municipal regulations, inspectors are authorized to access private properties and pools at any reasonable time, and have the right to show up without prior notice to carry out an inspection.
If you prefer to schedule a specific time for an inspection, you may contact the Urban Planning Department at inspections@westmount.org
Need help?
If you have any questions regarding municipal regulations, the compliance of your property, the permit process, or any issues related to swimming pools, the Urban Planning department is available to assist you.
- Email: inspections@westmount.org
- Telephone: 514-989-5200, ext. 5660
Additional Resources
To determine whether your pool meets current standards, several elements must be considered, including fencing, access points, pool equipment layout, nearby structures, diving boards, and applicable regulations:
- Westmount zoning by-law 1303 (Sections 6.1 and 6.2)
- Westmount construction by-law 1391 (Section 2.21)
You’ll also find a range of informational tools from the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation (municipal affairs and housing)