Design
Fiberglass pools are known for their strength, durability, ease of maintenance – and gorgeous crystalline finish.

Rules and Regulations
Owning a pool is a lot of fun, but also comes with a fair share of responsibilities. That’s why it’s especially important to do your homework around state and local regulations around pool ownership in Missouri.

• Because state and local laws can change over time, it’s important to investigate what they mean for you before beginning construction on a new pool. While Missouri has overarching residential pool laws that are universally applied throughout the state, your city, town or municipality may have additional regulations that may be more prohibitive than those at the state level.

• Check with your local building office to get more information on these laws and be sure your pool is compliant. Working with a licensed professional builder can also help you better navigate any state and local regulations and ensure your pool is up-to-code.

• With that in mind, here are some of the most common questions we get around owning a pool in Missouri.

• Do you need a permit for a pool in Missouri?

• Missouri requires that all in-ground and above-ground swimming pools require a permit before breaking ground on your new pool project. The state defines a residential swimming pool as any vessel that can hold over 24 inches of water, and also applies to spas, hot tubs, jacuzzis and any fixed-in-place wading pools.

• Depending on where you live in the state, different cities and towns throughout Missouri have different requirements for obtaining a pool construction permit. Some cities, such as Nixa, MO, have different costs for inground pools vs. above ground pool permits. The cost of an inground pool permit in Nixa is $160, while an above ground pool permit costs $80. Other cities, such as Florissant, MO, require an additional electrical permit on top of a building permit to construct a pool.

• Do your homework beforehand to ensure your pool meets both state and local requirements for pools in MIssouri. Working with a licensed professional builder can also help you better understand these laws and obtain the correct permits.

• Do you need a fence around your pool in Missouri?

• Missouri requires that all residential pools must be enclosed by a fence or barrier. The state requires that pool fencing must be a minimum of 4 feet (48 inches) high. However, different cities and towns throughout MO have even more stringent requirements for fencing and pool barriers, especially in cases where an outside wall of a home serves as part of this barrier.

• For instance, Florissant, MO requires an approved and compliant audible alarm system for any pool enclosure that uses an outer wall of a home as part of the pool barrier. These alarms must work with any doors that open up into the pool area or windows “with a sill less than 48” from the finished floor facing the pool area.” In addition, these alarms must be placed at a height of 54” from the floor.

• Because laws can change over time, it’s important to check with your local building office around any pool fencing laws in Missouri, as well as the city or town where you live.

• Do you need a cover for your pool in Missouri?

• Although Missouri requires fencing at least 4 feet high surrounding a residential pool, the state does not have any blanket laws requiring pool owners to have a cover. However, different cities throughout the state may require pool owners to have an approved safety cover.

• For instance, in addition to stringent pool fencing laws and requiring pool owners to install an alarm system if part of their home serves as a barrier, Springfield, Missouri also mandates that pools must be equipped with an approved power safety cover. This autocover must be capable of holding 485 pounds of weight and devoid of any openings that would allow for the passage of a 4-inch sphere.

• Be sure to check with your local building office to confirm if your area requires you to have a safety cover for your pool.

• How far away does your pool have to be from your home in Missouri?

• The distance between your swimming pool and home varies depending on where you live in Missouri Different cities and towns throughout the state have different requirements. In some cases, the size of your property or lot may also impact how far your pool needs to be situated away from your home or any adjoining lots.

• For instance, Black Jack, MO requires that “the water surface of a swimming pool shall not exceed 50% of the rear yard area of the lot.” Meanwhile, in Republic, MO, “any wall of a swimming pool shall not be located less than 6 feet from any rear or side property line or less than 10” from any building.” The city also notes that swimming pools can only reside in rear yards.

• Because your town or city may have different requirements and laws can change at any time, check with your local building office to confirm how far your pool needs to be from your home and any neighboring property lines. Working with a knowledgeable professional can help you better navigate these requirements and ensure your new pool is compliant.

Seasonality
Seasonal Tips for Missouri Homeowners:

While Missouri summers are scorchers, the Show Me State’s winters are brutally cold. Under ideal conditions, Missouri pool season can span between April to September, although May is historically the state’s heaviest month for hurricanes, potentially prompting pool owners to keep their pools in a suspended state until the end of hurricane season in June.

Missourians who have a heated pool or spillover spa can extend their pool season into October, allowing them to enjoy their pool even as cooler temperatures start to set in. In addition to incorporating features that can help you squeeze in as much pool time as possible, here are a few seasonal pool maintenance tips for Missouri residents:

• Spring: While April showers bring May flowers for much of the country, April through June is typically “hurricane season” for Missouri residents. Staying aware of any impending threats and adhering to best practices for protecting your pool in the event of a hurricane (including shutting down all power to your pool) should be top of mind. In addition to taking steps to protect your pool during a hurricane, Missouri residents will also want to tackle the far more mundane task of skimming spring pollen off the surface of their pools. These tiny, yellow or green rice-like pollen grains can clog your pool filter or contribute to algae growth, so be sure to skim them out of your pool.

• Fall: A heated pool can help you extend pool season until October. Choosing a fiberglass model that has a spillover spa or adding one to a vinyl liner pool can help you get even more mileage out of your pool when cooler temperatures set in. If you plan to continue enjoying your pool through autumn months, be sure to keep up with weekly skimming and maintenance. Falling leaves, if left to collect on the surface of your pool, can contribute to algae growth and throw off the balance of your water chemistry. An autocover can also help prevent leaves from accumulating on the surface of your pool.

• Winter: When it’s time to close your pool for winter, make sure to remove all air from water lines and pool equipment. Although many Missouri pool owners close their pool themselves, you can also recruit a professional to help you properly winterize your pool.

How to Prepare Your Pool for Tornadoes

• Smack dab in the heart of Tornado Alley, Missouri residents experience peak tornado season between April and June, with the risk of pop-up storms and twisters peppering the region throughout the year. May is the month in which tornadoes are most prevalent throughout Missouri and, on average, the state is hit with nearly 45 tornadoes each year.

• If you own a pool in Missouri, it’s important to know how to prepare your pool in the event of a major wind storm. While you can’t prevent a tornado, you can certainly prepare to safeguard your pool and backyard to help mitigate damages.

• Perhaps the most important tip to prepare your pool in the event of a tornado is to turn off all power to pool equipment, including your pump and filtration systems, pool lights, and heaters. Although turning off power may not prevent damage to the equipment itself during a gale-force tornado, it can help prevent dangerous electrical malfunctions from occurring. If possible, move your pool equipment to a basement storage unit or protect them with a secure waterproof covering.

• When preparing your pool for a tornado, do not drain your pool water. While it may seem like a good idea in terms of preventing your water chemistry from becoming tainted, draining your pool actually leaves it more vulnerable to scratches and scrapes.

• Additionally, do not store pool or patio furniture in your pool during a tornado. Instead, store these items indoors or in a safe outdoor enclosure.

• After the storm has passed, be prepared to clean up any debris in or around your pool. You’ll also need to rebalance your water chemistry or possibly shock your pool.