ARCHDALE, N.C.—
Some residents who have purchased portable pools are finding out the cost is more than they bargained for. Any pool 24 inches or deeper -- whether in-ground or above ground -- must be surrounded by a fence, and the city is working to clarify its ordinance."We're not changing anything about the way we're enforcing the rules," said Zeb Holden, a code enforcement officer. "We already have this in our zoning ordinance. We're just trying to make it more clear and understandable that (the ordinance) addresses the temporary swimming pools that we're seeing so many of these days."
Archdale resident Michael Calloway got caught in the city's efforts to clarify the rules.
"I had it up out here last year and nobody told me anything about it, and this year, they told me," he said.
The city gave Calloway 30 days to either put up an approved fence or take the pool down. Noncompliance results in a fine of $25 a day.
"I think it's kinda ridiculous," said Calloway.
Owners of temporary pools that meet the minimum depth specifications must choose between draining the pool or diving a little deeper into their wallet.
State building codes require pools 24 inches or deeper to be surrounded by a fence, but since there are so many of these portable pools, it's almost impossible to enforce.
