Parma's Swimming Pools & Spas: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles swimming pools & spas a little differently. In Parma, Ohio, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Pool Permits

Parma requires a building permit before installing any residential swimming pool: $100.00 for an in-ground pool, $40.00 for an above-ground pool, under Codified Ordinances 185.04(e)(3). Codified Ordinances 660.16 layers on construction standards the Building Commissioner enforces, including lot-line setbacks tied to frontage width, a locked fence or dense shrubbery barrier, and a required drain connection.

Key details: In-ground pool permit fee: $100.00, no base fee. Above-ground pool permit fee: $40.00, no base fee. Setback (40-ft lot): 3 feet from property line. Setback (60-ft+ lot): 10 feet from property line. Required fence height: 3.5 feet, Building Commissioner-approved.

Codified Ordinances 660.16(e) lets the Building Commissioner investigate any complaint that a pool isn't draining to the sewer as required and issue a written reprimand and warning to the owner. A pool built without meeting the setback, fence, or locked-gate standards in 660.16(a) can be ordered brought into compliance before the Building Commissioner signs off, and building without first obtaining the $100.00 or $40.00 permit under 185.04(e)(3) leaves the installation unauthorized regardless of how it's fenced.

Fencing & Safety Requirements

Any Parma pool, fish pond or similar structure over 18 inches deep on a lot under half an acre must be surrounded by dense shrubbery or a Building Commissioner-approved fence at least three and a half feet high, with a locked gate whenever no responsible adult is present. Aboveground pools with walls that tall are exempt from the fence rule itself.

Key details: Governing section: Codified Ordinances § 660.16. Trigger depth: Over 18 inches of water. Minimum fence height: 3.5 feet, Building Commissioner-approved. Exemption: Aboveground pool walls 3.5+ feet tall. Drain requirement: 6 inches below top edge, to storm sewer.

Violating subsections (a) through (e), including the fencing, locked-gate and draining rules, is a minor misdemeanor under Section 660.16(g), capped at a $150 fine with no jail time under Section 698.02. Anyone who ignores a written reprimand from the Building Commissioner over a subsection (f) variance issue instead faces a fourth-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.

The Bottom Line

Parma'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 Parma is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Parma's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.