Perth Amboy, NJ Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

Subsection P of § 430-60 of the Perth Amboy City Code opens with the permit requirement. Item (1) makes it unlawful for any person to construct, install, establish or maintain a private swimming pool or wading pool without a permit. The one exemption is a wading pool of the portable type with a depth of eighteen (18) inches or less. The sentence points to Subsection Q(2) for the procedure, but the application language is printed in item (2) of Subsection P.

Item (2) names who applies and where. Application for a permit to construct, establish or maintain, or to alter, remodel or add to, a permanent private swimming pool or permanent wading pool goes to the Building Inspector. The property owner files it, or the contractor files it in the name of the owner who will construct, alter, remodel or add to the pool. Alterations, remodeling and additions are covered, not just a new pool.

Location is fixed in item (4). A private swimming pool or permanent wading pool, or an alteration, remodeling or addition, with a capacity of more than two hundred fifty (250) gallons, and any accessory building, cannot be constructed, erected, installed or maintained within ten (10) feet of any property line. Portable swimming pools and wading pools are excepted. The code adds a special case for the R-25 Zoning District, where a five (5) foot rear yard setback for a pool is permitted and side yard setbacks follow zone standards, no less than the primary structure's side yard setbacks if those are in excess of the side yard setback requirements.

Item (3) sets construction standards. Materials must be waterproof and easily cleaned, neither sand nor earth can be placed within any portion of the pool, and the design must allow the pool to be kept clean and sanitary at all times. The owner must keep the pool from breaks in the pool chassis and from overflowing onto adjacent property.

Under § 430-101C(1), no building permit is issued unless the plans are accompanied by an approved zoning permit, and no zoning permit is issued unless the proposed structure or use complies with Chapter 430.