Swimming pools and spas
The construction and maintenance of both swimming pools and pool fencing must comply with the Queensland building regulations, Building Act 1975 and relevant Australian Standards.
If your pool or pool area was damaged during the January 2011 floods, find out how to restore your swimming pool.
Building a pool
If you are considering building a swimming pool on your property, you will need to obtain building approval. Your pool application must include information about the location of your proposed pool barrier.
Swimming pools include:
- above ground pools
- outdoor spa tubs or spa pools
It also includes portable wading pools:
- equal to or greater than 2,000 litres in volume; and
- equal to or greater than 300 millimetres deep; and
- with a filtration or pumping system
It is the responsibility of property owners with pools to ensure that the pool and barriers are compliant at all times. For more information visit swimming pool safety regulations.
You do not need planning approval for a swimming pool. City Plan does not regulate swimming pools, however some local area plans require all building work, including swimming pools, to be assessed.
If you are planning to build a house with a swimming pool on land within the Brisbane River Corridor (Scheme Map 2 of 3) or waterway corridor, the pool will need to be sited and landscaped. This will maintain the amenity and function of the river or waterway. You must design the location of your swimming pool to:
- minimise loss of native vegetation
- reduce impacts of landscaping
- minimise risk from landslip or instability
It is recommended that you phone Council on 07 3403 8888 if your site is within the Brisbane River Corridor or within a defined waterway corridor, to determine if a planning application is required.
It is wise to consider the potential impacts on neighbours when deciding the pool's location (for example noise or light issues). You may also need a siting variation.
The Queensland Water Commission has specific requirements about how you fill and top up new and existing swimming pools and spas.
Building approval
You can arrange for building approval for your pool and fence through a building certifier. Certifiers are listed in the Yellow Pages under building surveyors.
State Government requirements
For further information on State Government requirements, refer to the:
- Queensland Development Code - siting and amenity - detached housing, including siting of swimming pools:
- MP 1.1 - Design and siting standard for single detached housing on lots under 450 square metres (refer P1/A1(d)(i) and P2/A2(e)(i) and (ii))
- MP 1.2 - Design and siting standard for single detached housing on lots 450 square metres and over (refer P1/A1(d)(i) and P2/A2(e)(i))
- MP 3.4 - Swimming pool barriers, including up-to-date legislation changes
- Queensland Water Commission or phone 1300 789 906
