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Swimming Pools & Spas

Swimming Pools & Spas in Nashua, NH: What Residents Actually Need to Know

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

If you live in Nashua 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. Nashua has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of swimming pools & spas, and some of them might surprise you.

Pool Permits

Nashua requires a Department of Building Safety permit before an in-ground residential pool goes in, issued under the city's adopted Swimming Pool and Spa Code, with the fee set per square foot of pool area on the standard building permit fee schedule.

Key details: Governing code: Intl. Swimming Pool and Spa Code. 1-2 family fee: $0.18 per sq. ft.. Commercial/multifamily fee: $0.28 per sq. ft.. Issuing agency: Dept. of Building Safety. Appeals: Via § 105-5 process.

Building or altering an in-ground pool without a paid, issued permit violates Chapter 105's adopted Swimming Pool and Spa Code; violations are enforced under NRO Chapter 74 and RSA 676:15-17-b, in addition to any other remedy available to the city at law or equity.

Fencing & Safety Requirements

Nashua requires residential pools and spas to comply with the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, adopted wholesale at § 105-25: the barrier, gate and alarm rules come from that code, not a separate city-drafted fence ordinance.

Key details: Code adopted: International Swimming Pool and Spa Code. Adopted by: § 105-25, effective 3-9-2021. Enforced by: Dept. of Building Safety. In-ground pool permit fee: $60.

Violations of the adopted Swimming Pool and Spa Code are enforced under NRO Chapter 74 and NH RSA 676:15-17-b (§ 105-26E), without limit on any other remedy available to the City at law or equity.

The Bottom Line

Nashua'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 Nashua is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Nashua can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.