Whitby pool enclosure permits · Reformity Inc.Pool Fence Permit in Whitby
Yes: Whitby requires a swimming pool enclosure permit before anyone digs for or installs an outdoor pool deeper than 0.6 m (or an ornamental pond that deep), and no water can go in until a by-law officer signs off the finished enclosure. A hot tub with a secure, locking cover needs no enclosure.
We prepare and submit your permit drawings to the Town of Whitby, then build to the approved plan.
Do you need a permit?
Pool fence permit rules in Whitby.
Whitby's pool permits are issued by Enforcement Services under Fence By-law 8228-25, in force since January 1, 2026. The Town first wants Planning's confirmation that a pool is allowed, because some site plan agreements restrict or prohibit pools. In a subdivision the Town hasn't assumed yet, the developer must approve in writing and show that deposits were collected, and West Whitby lots keep pool equipment 0.6 m off the lot lines. Septic lots need the Region of Durham's letter, and lots CLOCA regulates, such as some near the Lynde and Pringle Creek valleys, need CLOCA's. The rule that matters most: no digging before the permit, no water before sign-off.
Checked against the Town of Whitby's own by-laws and pages in November 2026. Rules change, so we confirm them for your address before we draw.
Permit first, water last
No one may dig for or install an outdoor pool deeper than 0.6 m, or an ornamental pond that deep, without a swimming pool enclosure permit. No water may go in until the full enclosure is built and signed off by a by-law officer. The one exception: if construction itself needs water in the pool, a compliant temporary fence must surround it until the permanent enclosure replaces it.
Whitby Fence By-law 8228-25, ss.3.1, 4.6, 4.8 & 7.1 (PDF)Height and water setback
At least 1.2 m high, measured outside, and 1.0 m or more from the water's edge. A house wall can be part of it if its pool-area doors are 1 m or more from the water. Side and rear fences: 2.0 m max.
Town of Whitby: swimming pools; Fence By-law 8228-25, ss.4.2, 4.4 & 9.1Self-closing, self-latching gates
Gates must be at least 1.2 m high, on substantial hinges, self-closing, with a self-latching device on the inside and a lock. Any outside release sits 1.2 m or more above grade. Double gates: one self-latching leaf, the other held by a lockable drop bolt.
Whitby Fence By-law 8228-25, ss.6.1–6.2 (PDF)Non-climbable from outside
Chain-link mesh: 38 mm max. Vertical boards: gaps up to 38 mm if rails are under 1.2 m apart, 100 mm if 1.2 m or more. Horizontal boards: 20 mm. No opening over 100 mm, and no more than 100 mm under a gate.
Whitby Fence By-law 8228-25, ss.1.20, 4.3, 4.5, 4.7, 6.1 (PDF)Where the pool can go
Under the general zoning rules, pools go only in an interior side, exterior side or rear yard, 1.0 m from interior side and rear lot lines and 4.5 m from a street line (1.0 m in a rear or exterior side yard); a corner lot's front yard is allowed at 4.5 m. Newer West Whitby and Brooklin secondary-plan zones allow pools and hot tubs only in rear or interior side yards.
Whitby Zoning By-law 1784, ss.4(v), 14.2.11 & 15.2.12 (PDF, 2025 consolidation)
What the city asks for
The Whitby application.
Issued by: Town of Whitby, Enforcement Services (Legal and Enforcement Services), under Fence By-law 8228-25. We put the package together, submit it and keep you posted.
Documents
- Swimming Pool Enclosure Permit application (online form)
- Site plan on the Town's template: house, driveway, sidewalk, pool and property lines
- Fence type, height and spacing on each side, gates, and water's-edge-to-fence distances in all directions
- Setbacks of the fencing, easements, pool and all buildings
- Planning confirmation that zoning and any site plan agreement allow a pool
- CLOCA letter of approval, if the lot is in a CLOCA-regulated area
- Developer's approval letter and proof of deposits, if the subdivision isn't assumed
- Region of Durham approval letter, if the property has a septic system
- Construction access route, if it crosses a Town park or easement (extra approvals and insurance may be needed)
How it goes
- 1We confirm with Town Planning that your zoning and any site plan agreement allow a pool, and check CLOCA, septic and subdivision status.
- 2We measure the yard and draw the site plan on the Town's template, with fence heights and spacing, gates and water's-edge distances.
- 3We submit the online application with any CLOCA, Region of Durham or developer letters.
- 4An Enforcement Officer reviews it within 5 to 7 business days and books a pre-construction inspection; digging starts only once the permit is emailed.
- 5Temporary fencing stays up during construction. When the enclosure is finished we arrange the final inspection, and the pool is filled only after approval.
- Processing time
- 5 to 7 business days for the Enforcement Officer's review. The permit is valid for 1 year; if construction hasn't started by then, the fee is forfeited and a new application is needed.
- Inspections
- A pre-construction inspection after the review, then a final inspection by the assigned Enforcement Officer when construction is complete. No water until the enclosure is signed off; the Town says filling before sign-off may lead to legal action. Temporary fencing (at least 1.2 m high, mesh 38 mm or smaller, steel T-bar posts no more than 3 m apart) is mandatory during construction.
Pool enclosure fence — sheet 1 — Elevation, board-on-board section and post-footing detail. From a real Reformity permit drawing set, client details removed. Click to enlarge.
Pool enclosure fence — sheet 2
Pool enclosure fence — sheet 3
Permit drawings included
We prepare and submit your permit drawings.
Fence elevation, board and post-footing details, gate hardware and a key plan of the enclosure, drawn to the Town of Whitby's rules and submitted with your pool enclosure permit application.
- Dimensions to your lot lines
- Materials, sizes and spacing
- Footing and base sections
- Code notes for the inspector
Fencing · real projects
Recent fencing jobs in and around Whitby.
Real Reformity jobs from our project files. Customer addresses are never published.
Whitby pool fence permit FAQ
Quick answers.
Not if it has a secure, locking cover. Whitby's Fence By-law doesn't count hot tubs, whirlpools or spas as swimming pools, and its pool-fencing rules don't apply when the tub has a secure, locking cover kept locked whenever it isn't in use. The Town gives the same answer for swim spas with a secure, rigid cover.
Yes, if it meets the enclosure rules. The Town's application has an option for an existing fence that has never had an enclosure permit, and it still needs the 1.2 m height, a non-climbable outside face and self-closing, self-latching gates. On a shared lot-line fence, every measurement is taken on the neighbour's side.
They can. If the walls are hard-sided, at least 1.2 m high and nothing climbable sits nearby, a separate yard fence may not be needed, but you still need the pool permit. The walls plus any attached rail must total 1.2 m to 2.6 m above grade, and a ladder must be removable, lift-and-lock, or have a lockable cover.
Send the form on this page or call 437-241-6287. We reply within one business day, visit to measure, prepare the drawings for the Town of Whitby, submit the application and give you a fixed written price for the work.
Let us handle the Whitby permit.
We measure, draw it to the Town of Whitby's rules, submit the application and build to the approved plan. One business-day reply.
More in Whitby
Guide: Pool Fence Bylaws in the GTA: Height, Gates & Self-Latching Rules (2026)
Pool Fence Permit in other cities