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Quebec's new Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act sets minimum standards, such as perimeter fencing, for the installation of new or replacement swimming pools.

Installation of residential swimming pools in Quebec is now subject to a series of construction and development standards after the province's new residential pool safety legislation went into effect on July 22.

The Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act, which was proposed by the Department of Municipal Affairs and unveiled last year, sets the minimum standards for new and replacement swimming pools to reduce drowning risks. The main element of the act is the control of access to water, from both the pool residence and neighbouring properties. Regulations apply to inground, semi-inground, above-ground, inflatable and even temporary swimming pools over 0.6 m (2 ft).

Pools must be enclosed by a 1.2-m (4-ft) high fence, with self-closing and self-locking entry points (gates and doors). Above-ground/portable pool equipment (heater/filter) must be placed more than 1 m (3.3 ft) from the pool. To ensure compliance with these standards, municipalities must issue a permit for the construction, installation or replacement of a swimming pool.

Homeowners will be financially responsible for making sure their pool complies with the provincial legislation, Michael Beauchesne, section chief of permits and inspections for the City of Sherbrooke, Que., told The Record.

"We won't check every installation, we don't have the resources to do this, but we do spot checks and act on requests from neighbours," he said. "If you don't comply, the fine is between $500 to $700 for a first offence and $700 to $1,000 for a second offence."

Before becoming law, the act was studied by a parliamentary committee and reviewed by the National Assembly last fall.