Temporary Swimming Pools

The definition of a temporary or pop-up pool is a pool you buy for the purpose of only being up for a short period of time or for the hottest months of summer and then is packed away again until next time. No building consent is required as it is not a permanent structure.

The same risks remain in having a temporary pool up over the summer period as there is with a permanent pool. Please read the requirements under the Building Act (below) to give you a good outline of what is required.

Government legislation states that all pools are required to be fully fenced, the only exceptions are where:

• the pool is small and holds less than of 400mm of water OR
• the sides of the pool are 1.2 metres high at all points around the pool from the outside ground level AND
• the sides of the pool are smooth, so a child under the age of six years cannot get a toe hold to pull themselves up to the top level of the pool AND
• there is a 1.2 metre clear zone around the pool, this means there isn't anything around the pool a child under the age of six years can climb on, stand on, jump from, drag to the side of the pool etc., to get into the pool
• the means of entering the pool is fully fenced/enclosed, stored away from the pool or even in the pool at all times when the pool is not in use.

If your temporary pool doesn't comply with the above exceptions, then it is required to be properly fenced to the requirements of Building Code clause F9 Restricting access to residential pools.

Temporary or pop-up pools are exempt from monitoring requirements of the Building Act 2004, if specific exemption requirements are met with regard to the access, size and design of the pool.

If you would like more information regarding swimming pool fencing, please see our website.