Swimming pool rules in Cohasset, Massachusetts
Under the Board of Public Health's pool regulations (adopted Sept. 20, 2022), you need the Board's approval of your plans before building any residential pool, and an inspection before using it. The pool must be enclosed by a fence at least 4 feet high with a self-latching gate, and kept at least 10 feet from a septic tank or the house foundation (20 feet from a cesspool or leaching field). We couldn't get Cohasset's zoning bylaw, so property-line setbacks are unknown; ask the Building Department.
| Board of Health approval | Required before building, installing or remodeling a pool; plans and specifications submitted [1] |
| Inspection before use | Required; no use until the Board inspects the finished work [2] |
| Pools covered | In-ground or above-ground, 2 ft deep or more and at least 2,000 gallons [3] |
| Distance from septic system | 20 ft from a cesspool or leaching field; 10 ft from a septic tank [4] |
| Distance from house | 10 ft from a cellar wall or slab foundation [4] |
| Pool fence | At least 4 ft high, encircling the pool, with a self-latching gate [5] |
| Solid (opaque) fence | 4 to 6 ft high, no openings larger than 3 inches [6] |
| Draining pool water | Dechlorinate first; never into a storm drain or wetland [8] |
These rules come from the Board of Public Health's residential pool regulations adopted September 20, 2022; check with the town for any later changes. Cohasset's zoning bylaw, which normally sets how far a pool must be from property lines, is published only on eCode360 and we couldn't obtain it, so zoning setbacks are not covered here.
Approval and inspection
No one may build, install or remodel a residential pool until the Board of Public Health approves it, and you must submit plans and specifications with your request [1]. After construction you must notify the Board, and the pool can't be used until the Board has inspected it [2]. The rules cover in-ground and above-ground pools at least two feet deep that hold at least 2,000 gallons [3]. A smaller hot tub or spa wouldn't meet that definition. Pools also need a recirculation and filtration system, and they must follow local building, plumbing and electrical codes.
Location
A pool must be at least 20 feet from a cesspool, 10 feet from a septic tank, 20 feet from a leaching field, and 10 feet from a cellar wall or slab foundation [4].
Fencing
You must put up a durable fence at least four feet high around the pool, secured to the ground, with a self-latching gate [5]. A solid board, stockade or vinyl fence must be 4 to 6 feet high with no openings larger than 3 inches [6]. Above-ground pools follow the same fence rule, and a free-standing above-ground pool also needs a locking fold-up ladder kept folded up when the pool isn't in use [7]. Pools that already had a fence at least four feet high on September 20, 2022 are treated as compliant if the fence encloses the ladder or other access points and the gate is self-closing and self-locking.
Draining
Pool water and filter backwash must be dechlorinated before discharge, and may never go into a storm drain or wetland [8]. The Conservation Commission's guidance adds that treated water should never be pumped onto the ground within 50 feet of the ocean, a stream, pond or wetland [9].
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Next steps
- Submit pool plans and specifications to the Cohasset Board of Public Health (Public Health Department, cohassetma.gov) and get its approval before you start.
- Ask the Building & Inspections Department (781-383-4100 ext. 5100) about the building permit and the zoning setbacks from property lines, which we couldn't confirm.
- Plan the pool location at least 10 ft from the house foundation and septic tank and 20 ft from any cesspool or leaching field, and include a 4-ft fence with a self-latching gate.
- If the pool is near a wetland, pond, stream or the ocean, contact the Conservation Commission before design.
- Notify the Board of Public Health when construction is done and schedule its inspection before using the pool.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit for a pool in Cohasset, Massachusetts?
- You need the Board of Public Health's approval of your plans before building any residential pool, and an inspection before using it. Ask the Building & Inspections Department about the building permit.
- Do I need a fence around a pool in Cohasset, Massachusetts?
- Yes. The pool must be enclosed by a durable fence at least 4 feet high with a self-latching gate. A solid fence must be 4 to 6 feet high with no openings larger than 3 inches.
- How far must a pool be from my septic system or house in Cohasset, Massachusetts?
- At least 10 feet from a septic tank or the house foundation, and 20 feet from a cesspool or leaching field.
- How far must a pool be from the property line in Cohasset, Massachusetts?
- That isn't known. The zoning bylaw that normally sets property-line setbacks couldn't be obtained, so ask the Building Department.
Massachusetts building code rules for pools
Under the State Building Code (780 CMR, 10th edition), residential pools, spas and hot tubs must meet the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) as adopted in Massachusetts.
Permits:
- A building permit is needed for any pool except prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep.
- Plans for in-ground pools must be prepared by a registered design professional (an engineer or architect).
- Wiring must meet the Massachusetts Electrical Code (527 CMR 12.00), and gas pool heaters must meet the state plumbing and gas code (248 CMR).
Barrier (fence) requirements (ISPSC §305):
- The barrier must be at least 48 inches high, measured on the side away from the pool.
- The gap under the barrier can be no more than 2 inches over grass or gravel, or 4 inches over concrete.
- Pedestrian gates must open outward away from the pool, be self-closing and self-latching, and be able to take a lock.
- If a house wall forms part of the barrier, doors and low windows opening to the pool need an audible alarm (or another listed option).
- In-ground pool construction sites need temporary fencing at least 4 feet high from excavation until the permanent barrier is up.
- Spas and hot tubs with a lockable safety cover meeting ASTM F1346, and pools with a powered safety cover meeting that standard, are exempt from the barrier rules.
Local zoning still controls pool setbacks, and wetlands rules may apply near water.
What the bylaw says
- Regulation 2: Approval, (a), Board of Health Pool Regulations with Conservation BMPs, p. 2
No person shall construct or install a Residential Swimming Pool or remodel or otherwise make any structural or operational change in an existing pool until the Board of Public Health has approved such construction, installation, remodeling or change as not in reasonable likelihood endangering the public health.
- Regulation 2: Approval, (b), Board of Health Pool Regulations with Conservation BMPs, p. 2
no use shall be made of such pool until such construction, installation, remodeling, or change has been inspected by it and found to have been done in accordance with the proposal.
- Regulation 1: Definitions, (a), Board of Health Pool Regulations with Conservation BMPs, p. 2
The pool may be located in the ground or above ground. This includes every artificial pool of water having a depth of two feet or more with a minimum of 2,000 gallons and used for swimming or bathing, located indoors or outdoors, together with the bathhouses, equipment, and appurtenances used in connection with the pool.
- Regulation 6: Location, (a), Board of Health Pool Regulations with Conservation BMPs, p. 3
Every Residential Swimming Pool shall be located at least 20 feet from a cesspool, 10 feet from a septic tank, 20 feet from a subsurface leaching field, 10 feet from a cellar wall, and 10 feet from a slab foundation.
- Regulation 8: Fencing Requirements, (a), Board of Health Pool Regulations with Conservation BMPs, p. 3
The owner of any Residential Swimming Pool shall erect a durable fence at least four feet in height, completely and firmly secured to the ground, encompassing the pool with a self-latching gate.
- Regulation 8: Fencing Requirements, (a), Board of Health Pool Regulations with Conservation BMPs, p. 3
If the fence is constructed of an opaque material a board, stockade or vinyl structure, the height shall be at least 4 feet, and no more than 6 feet, with no openings larger than 3 inches.
- Regulation 8: Fencing Requirements, (b), Board of Health Pool Regulations with Conservation BMPs, p. 3
A free-standing above ground pool requires a fold up ladder that locks. The ladder must be in the fold up position when the pool is not in use.
- Regulation 7: Wastewater Disposal, (b), Board of Health Pool Regulations with Conservation BMPs, p. 3
Under no circumstances may water from a Residential Swimming Pool be drained into a storm drain or into wetlands.
- Conservation Commission BMPs for SSH water, Board of Health Pool Regulations with Conservation BMPs, p. 6
Discharge of chemically treated SSH water should never be pumped onto the ground less than 50-feet from a resource area, such as the ocean, streams, ponds, or wetlands, etc.