Swimming Pools & Spas in Lakewood, OH: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Lakewood or are thinking about moving there, swimming pools & spas are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Lakewood has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of swimming pools & spas, and some of them might surprise you.

Safety Rules

Lakewood Codified Ordinances 1722.05 requires reasonable precautions to protect pool users, including clearly marked water depth and readily accessible safety appliances such as lifebuoys, life-hooks, poles or ropes, and first-aid kits, and 1722.13 requires removable ladders to be taken off at the close of swimming season.

Key details: Code Section: LCO 1722.05 (safety) and 1722.13 (access equipment). Required safety gear: Lifebuoys, life-hooks, poles or ropes, first-aid kits (readily accessible). Depth markings: Water depth and bottom irregularities clearly indicated (1722.05, 1722.10(b)). Seasonal rule: Non-affixed ladders/steps removed at close of swimming season.

Failing to provide required safety appliances, depth markings, or to remove seasonal ladders violates LCO Chapter 1722 and is enforceable under LCO 1722.12.

Hot Tub Rules

Hot tubs and spas in Lakewood require a building and electrical permit under Codified Ordinance 1329. A lockable safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 standard can substitute for a perimeter fence barrier.

Key details: Permit: Building and electrical. Safety Cover: ASTM F1346 compliant. Cover Substitutes: For fence barrier. Electrical: GFCI and bonding. Setback: 5 ft typical.

No permit: C.O. 1329.99 minor misdemeanor, $150. Missing safety cover: must install fence or be drained.

Fencing Requirements

Lakewood Codified Ordinances 1722.08 requires every outdoor family swimming pool and permanent wading pool to be completely surrounded by a fence at least four feet high, with self-closing, self-latching gates that lock and are kept locked when the pool is unattended.

Key details: Code Section: LCO 1722.08(a)-(d). Minimum fence height: 4 feet (48 inches). Gate requirements: Self-closing, self-latching, lockable; kept locked when unattended. Applies to: New and existing outdoor family swimming pools and permanent wading pools. Compliance period (existing pools): Up to 90 days from effective date.

Under 1722.12 (Enforcement), no owner or person in charge may construct, use, or maintain a pool unless all chapter provisions are met; failure to provide and maintain the required fence is a code violation enforced by the Department of Housing and Building.

This is one of the stricter rules in Lakewood's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Above-Ground Pools

Lakewood zoning sections (referenced by LCO 1722.01) prohibit family swimming pools in any front or side yard and set side/rear setbacks of 5 feet in the R2 district and 10 feet in R1 districts; portable above-ground pools may get a setback variance with written consent from each abutting owner.

Key details: Code Section: LCO 1722.01; Zoning 1123.10 (R2) and 1121.10 (R1). Prohibited location: No pool in any front yard or side yard. R2 setback: 5 feet from side/rear property line. R1 setback: 10 feet from side/rear property line. Above-ground variance: Allowed for portable pools with written consent of all abutting owners.

Placing a pool in a prohibited yard or within the required setback without an approved variance violates LCO 1722.01 and the cited zoning sections, and is enforceable under LCO 1722.12.

Pool Permits

Lakewood Codified Ordinances 1722.03 requires a construction permit and approved plans before any family swimming pool is built or altered, and 1722.04 sets the fee at $4.00 per 100 square feet (minimum $25.00).

Key details: Code Section: LCO 1722.03 (permit) and 1722.04 (fees). Permit fee: $4.00 per 100 sq ft of pool ground area. Minimum fee: $25.00. Approval authority: Lakewood Building Commissioner / Dept. of Housing and Building. Plan requirements: Scaled plans, plot plan, equipment layout, fence/lighting details (LCO 1722.09).

No part of pool work may commence until the Building Commissioner approves the plans and issues the permit (1722.03); building without a permit subjects the owner to enforcement under LCO 1722.12.

The Bottom Line

Lakewood's swimming pools & spas rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Lakewood is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Lakewood's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.