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Pool and spa barriers

If your property has a pool

All pools in Wellington City must be registered with the Council. It is the responsibility of the pool owner to notify the council.

Whether you own or rent a property with a pool, it’s your responsibility to make sure it has a barrier around it that complies with the Building Act 2004 Section 162 (F9/AS2).

Swimming pools or spa pools with barriers must be inspected through a pool barrier audit every three years.

Small heated pools, like hot tubs and spas, may be exempted from requiring three yearly audits if they meet all the requirements of the New Zealand Building code. You still need to register with the Council and we will determine the pool barriers compliance with the Building Act.

You can choose to have a pool audit carried out by the Council or an independently qualified pool inspector.

Check if your pool is on our register

We keep a register of all pools in Wellington City so they can be inspected.

Pools that are required to be registered include:

• Inground swimming pools
• Spa pools
• Hot tubs
• Pop-up and temporary pools
• Ice baths

Email bccpoolaudits@wcc.govt.nz if you are unsure about if your pool needs to be registered.

Phone or email the Building Compliance team on 04 801 4311 if you want to:

• check if a pool, hot tub or spa is on the register
• report a non-compliant pool
• find out if a pool has been removed from the register.

How to make sure your pool barrier is compliant

Every residential pool that is filled or partly filled with water must have physical barriers that restrict access to the pool by unsupervised children under 5 years of age. The barrier needs to:

• be at least 120cm high
• surround the pool and the immediate area around it
• have nothing on the outside that a child could use to climb over it
• have no gaps under it or in it greater than 100mm.

Gates must:

• open away from the pool
• not be able to be easily opened by children
• close automatically after use.

For small heated pools – like a spa or hot tub – the barrier may cover the pool itself, but it must also comply with the following to be exempted from the three yearly audit requirement:

• be at least 760cm high to the top lip of the pool from the ground
• 760mm clear on all sides from top edge to external objects
• cover capable of supporting 20kg vertical load
• cover held in place with straps fitted with lockable snap fasteners having a minimum width of 33mm on their main body
• warning signage fixed on two opposite sides of the cover.

If you're building a new pool

You'll need to get a building consent first. This is because installing a pool fence is considered building work under the Building Act 2004.

Existing pool barriers

Repairs or maintenance to an existing pool barrier does not require a building consent, provided a comparable building product or assembly is used and the replacement is in the same position.

If you change the area that pool barrier was originally consented for or change the type of barrier (for example, from a pool fence to a glass balustrade) you will need to apply for a building consent.

If you are unsure check with Building Compliance and Consents team.

Building consents

Emptying your pool

If you need to empty the water from your pool or spa, it must not drain into the stormwater system.

Emptying pool water safely and responsibly

Need help?

Our Building Compliance team is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

Phone: 04 499 4444
Email:  bccpoolaudits@wcc.govt.nz