New Provincial Regulation on Home Pool Safety
Coming into effect as of fall 2026
What you need to know
As part of its commitment to protect young children from drowning, the Quebec government has rolled out a new campaign (Cet été, je sécurise ma piscine) to raise public awareness about the importance of pool safety and compliance with the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Regulation, which will come into effect in the fall of 2026.
This by-law applies to all home swimming pools in Quebec, regardless of when they were installed. Note that owners of pools installed before November 1, 2010, and who benefited from an exemption, now have until fall of 2026* to bring their installations into compliance.
Join us in making sure all backyard swimming pools are safe for everyone!
Pools impacted by the regulation
The new regulation applies to all outdoor residential pools with a depth of 60cm (24”) or more, regardless of whether they are inground, semi-inground, aboveground or portable (inflatable or otherwise), as well as spas with a capacity of over 2,000 liters.
Several considerations must be taken into account when determining whether your pool and the area around it comply with the regulation and are safe for young children. These include the enclosure around the pool, how access is controlled, how any pool equipment is set up, the layout of the surrounding area, the features of the diving board if there is one and any applicable zoning standards.
Is your pool up to code? Please refer to the following to find out: o Application Guide (French only) o Summary of the legal requirements applicable to residential pool owners* o Illustrated guidelines prepared by the provincial government (in French) o Zoning by-law 801 (chapter 5: articles 84, 85, 133 to 135.1) (French only) |
*The English version was translated and adapted by the City of Dollard-des-Ormeaux from the texts of the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation. Used with their kind permission.
Safety before aesthetics
Ensuring safety is the priority of these regulations. The work that may result from the requirements of the new by-law may entail unforeseen changes to your landscaping or the aesthetics of your yard. You can make an appointment with the Urban Planning Department to discuss your options.
The Urban Planning Department is here to help!
Feel free to reach out to the Urban Planning team if you have any questions or to get the permit application process underway:
- E-mail: urbanisme@ville.rosemere.qc.ca
- By appointment (telephone or in person) via the GO Rendez-vous platform
To book an appointment, select the “GO” tab on the right-hand side of the page. You will then be redirected to the appointment platform.
Applications can also be filed online.
Remember that permits are required to:
• Build, install or replace a swimming pool
• Install a diving board
• Construct an enclosure or a fence or a platform or patio that opens onto a swimming pool.
Plan ahead On average, it takes 30 days to obtain a permit. However, this may vary according to the complexity of the project and the volume of traffic. After that, you’ll need to set aside enough time for the work itself. |