City of Urbandale
th
3600 86 Street
Urbandale, IA 50322-4057
www.urbandale.org
Building Department
(515) 278-3930
Fax No.
(515) 278-3927
Residential Swimming Pool & Spa
Plan Review and Inspection Schedule
Location
Corner pins need to be located prior to first inspection. If the property corner pins cannot be found by the owner or
contractor, it is the owner’s responsibility to have a registered land surveyor establish the corner pins. Swimming
pools shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from all property lines, as measured to the closest edge of the water or
any structures appurtenant to the pool, and shall not be located within any front setback or street side yard setback
that this Ordinance does not allow to be fenced. Urbandale Ord. 160.36
Pool Definition
A swimming pool is any structure intended for swimming, recreational bathing or wading that is capable of containing
water over 24 inches deep. This includes in-ground, above-ground and on-ground pools; hot tubs; spas and fixed-inplace wading pools but excludes manmade lakes or ponds created through the collection of storm water or drainage
runoff. Urbandale Ordinance 150.03 (35)
Additional permits required
A separate deck permit and plan review is required for a pool deck if one is constructed. A separate handout Deck
Plan Review and Inspection Schedule is available regarding decks. A separate fence permit is required if planned.
Separate electrical and plumbing permits are required when applicable.
Before you dig
Call “One Call” for utility locations before you dig at 811. Utility locations are typically completed within 48 hours of
your request. Underground utility location prior to digging is required be state law. This service is free of charge.
Access barrier required IBC 3109
One of the following methods must be installed to prevent access to the pool or spa
1. A power safety cover complying with ASTM F 1346
2. A 4-foot non-climbable fence. See separate handout Residential Swimming Pool Fences and Safety
Devices for additional information
Discharge
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Salt water pools or spas must drain and discharge to the sanitary sewer per DNR regulations.
Chlorinated pools or spas may drain to the sanitary sewer or discharge onto the homeowner’s yard provided
the chlorine has dissipated to a minimal level similar to drinking water. De-chlorinated drainage from pools
and spas onto yards must not affect neighboring properties or flow across public walks. Discharge rates to
the sanitary sewer must be reviewed and approved by Urbandale Engineering and Public Works before a
pool permit is issued. See separate handout Draining Pools and Spas for additional information
Equipotential Bonding for Pools
Proper bonding of pools is critical and must be installed as prescribed by article 680 of the NEC. The bonding
conductor shall not be required to be extended or attached to remote panel boards, service equipment, or electrodes.
The following list of items shall be bonded together using solid copper conductors, insulated covered, or bare not
smaller than 8 AWG or by other means as permitted by the NEC. There are several types of listed connections
permitted to bonded parts together. NEC 250.8.
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1. Conductive Pool Shells – concrete with painted or plaster coatings are considered to be conductive. Vinyl
liners and fiberglass composite shells are considered to be non-conductive materials. NEC 680.26 (1)
2. Perimeter Surfaces – with-in 3’ of the water including paved and un-paved surfaces. Bonding shall be
achieved by properly installed re-bar or other approved means and must attached to conductive pool shells
at a minimum of 4 places. Non-conductive pools shells are not required to be bonded at the four points.
NEC 680.26 (2)
3. Metallic Components – all metallic parts of the pool structure including rebar, handrails and ladders
4. Underwater Lighting – all metal forming shells and mounting brackets of no-niche fixtures
5. Metal Fittings – with-in or attached to the pool structure
6. Electrical Equipment - associated with the pool including pump motors and metal parts of pool covers
7. Fixed Metal Parts - with-in 5’ of the water including metal fences, metal doors and metal window frames
8. Bonding and Grounding – Connections to electrodes shall be in compliance with NEC 250.70 (no selftapping screws)
SPA Electrical requirements NEC 680.40
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
A spa must have a clearly labeled disconnect with-in 5 ft. and have GFI protection
If a cord & plug is used to connect equipment the length cannot exceed 15’
If seal-tite is used to connect the equipment it cannot exceed 6’ in length
At least one 125-volt 15 or 20 ampere receptacle on a general purpose branch circuit shall be located
not less than 6’ from and not more than 10’ from the inside wall of the spa.
Receptacles located within 10’ of the inside walls of the spa/hot tub shall be GFCI protected.
Luminaries shall comply with NEC 680.43 B (1) & (2) (INDOOR)
Bonding must comply with NEC 680.43(D)&(E) (INDOOR)
Bonding must comply with NEC 680.42 (B) (OUTDOOR)
PERMANENT Pool electrical requirements NEC 680.20
Pools meeting any of the following qualification to be permanent:
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Those that are constructed in ground or partially in the ground
Those that are capable of containing more than 42” of water
Those that have permanent structures built immediately adjacent to them (decks, etc.)
Those that are installed indoors
1. If a flexible cord is used to connect the pool equipment it should not exceed 3’ in length
2. The pool equipment must be GFI protected
Revised 11/10/2016
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3. At least one 125-volt 15 or 20 ampere receptacle on a general-purpose branch circuit must be located
not less than 10’ from and not more than 20’ from the inside wall of the pool. This receptacle should
not be located more than 6’ above grade.
4. Ground fault protection shall be required for receptacles located with-in 20’ of the inside walls of the
pool.
5. The requirements of NEC 680.26 regarding equipotential bonding shall be met.
6. Overhead service conductors must be a minimum of 22.5’ above the water level and 14.5’ above the
area around the pool to a distance to 10’ from the pool edge.
STORABLE Pool electrical requirements NEC 680.30
Pools constructed outdoors, on or above grade, without a permanent structure built around them and meeting either
of the following two qualifications to be storable:
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Those that are capable of containing more than 42” of water
Those that have non-metallic, molded polymeric, or inflatable walls
1. Cord connected pool filter pumps shall be provided with a 25’ long cord. GFCI that is an integral part of
the attachment plug or located in the power supply cord with-in 12” of the attachment plug.
2. Receptacles shall not be located less than 6’ from the inside walls of a pool.
3. Receptacles located with-in 20’ of the inside walls of a pool shall be protected by a ground fault circuit
interrupter.
4. Overhead service conductors must be a minimum of 22.5’ above the water level and 14.5’ above the
area around the pool to a distance to 10’ from the pool edge.
Required Inspections
1. Fence, Pool and Spa locate – Corner pins are required to be located prior to digging
2. Electrical Bonding Inspection -- prior to covering work up
3. Electric and Plumbing Rough-In -- (observe pool discharge method)
4. Deck footings – if Applicable
5. Deck framing – if Applicable
6. Final -- (Pool, deck, fence, electric & plumbing)
Revised 11/10/2016
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