Hamilton pool enclosure permit: when you need one and what to submit
The short answer
Yes. The pool itself needs no building permit, but its enclosure does. City fee: $303, plus HST where it applies.
Last verified 2026-10-07 · City of Hamilton: Swimming pools, City of Hamilton Pool Enclosure By-law 16-184 (PDF), City of Hamilton 2026 user fees By-law 26-034 (PDF)- City fee
- $303, plus HST where it applies
- Where to apply
- City of Hamilton customer portal (my.hamilton.ca)
At least 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) high and 1.0 m from the pool wall. Gates close and latch on their own, with the latch on the inside at least 1.35 m up, and they lock.
What an application usually includes
Hamilton’s checklist has the exact list; apply through City of Hamilton customer portal (my.hamilton.ca).
- A site plan showing the pool, the enclosure and the gates
- A cross-section of the fence with its height and openings
- Gate details: self-closing, self-latching, latch height
- The application, and an inspection before you fill the pool
Local quirks
- Hamilton wants permits for jobs many cities skip: replacing deck or stair railings, damp-proofing foundation walls, sump pumps, and new drywall and insulation.
- The part of a pool fence between the house and the pool has to be see-through, so the pool can be seen from the house.
- Fake permit-fee invoices have been going around. Real City messages come only from @hamilton.ca addresses.
Design your Hamilton pool enclosure to the Building Code.
The design, drawings and code checks work in Hamilton today. Hamilton’s own forms aren’t built in yet, so you’ll fill those in on the City’s portal.