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Waverly planners propose moving pool rules into zoning, debate permits for temporary pools
Summary
At its April 16 meeting the Waverly Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed moving the city’s pool ordinance into the zoning code and debated permit requirements for temporary pools, fence heights, drainage rules and licensing for private pool rentals; the public hearing was postponed to June for further revisions.
The Waverly Planning and Zoning Commission on April 16 reviewed a proposal to move the city’s existing pool ordinance into the zoning code and spent substantial time debating how to treat temporary, seasonal pools.
City Planner Robin Caufman told commissioners the relocation would place pool standards under the zoning code’s general standards to make the rules more visible to residents and easier to enforce. Commissioners considered whether temporary pools that are up only part of the year should require the same permitting as permanent structures.
Commissioner Wayne Quigley summarized research on neighboring cities, saying, "Watertown was a temporary pool category, with a one‑time $75 fee that doesn't require a building permit as long as the pool is set up and taken down in the same location annually." Commissioners agreed many communities use a one‑time fee or separate temporary‑pool category rather than the full building permit process.
The panel also discussed technical thresholds and safety standards. Members raised enforcement concerns about the 5,000‑gallon capacity threshold and agreed to rely on manufacturer capacity specifications to clarify which units meet the standard. The commission debated lowering the fence‑height requirement from 5 feet to 4 feet to align with surrounding communities and clarified that a removable ladder combined with fencing should meet safety requirements.
Caufman proposed adding language to require licensing for private pool rentals arranged through commercial services and asked staff to remove a prohibition on filling pools from fire hydrants so long as water use flows through meters. On drainage, the commission agreed pool water should not discharge directly onto streets or neighboring properties and should either be routed to storm systems or allowed to filter through turf first.
Quigley asked to review a revised draft before scheduling a public hearing; the commission agreed to move the hearing to June to allow that review. No formal ordinance amendment was adopted at the meeting.
The commission will review a revised pool‑ordinance draft at a future meeting ahead of the public hearing.
