Residential Pools: End of Acquired Rights – Fall 2026

Starting Fall 2026*, all residential pool owners will be required to comply with Quebec’s safety regulations, regardless of the year their pool was installed.

Until now, some pools have benefited from acquired rights: if they were installed before November 1, 2010, they were exempt from complying with the new rules. This will no longer be the case.

Why this change?
How can I determine if my pool meets the new standards?
Safety fence specifications
How to comply with the new regulation?
What happens if you don’t comply?

Residential Pools: End of Acquired Rights

Why this change?

Every year, accidents occur around pools, with young children being especially at risk. The government’s goal is clear: to standardize safety measures to reduce the risk of drowning and provide better protection for everyone.

How can I determine if my pool meets the new standards?

For inground pool owners

Minimum fence height: all inground pools (and some above-ground models) must be surrounded by a fence or enclosure at least 1.2 meters high.
Spacing between bars: Openings in the fence must not allow the passage of a spherical object 10 cm in diameter, to prevent children from slipping through.
Doors and gates: All doors providing access to the pool must close and lock automatically after each use. The safety latch must be installed on the pool side or, if on the outside, at a minimum height of 1.5 meters.
No climbable objects: Furniture, BBQs, sheds, etc. must not be placed near the fence.

For above-ground or soft-sided pool owners

If the pool wall height is at least 1.2 m (above-ground pool) or 1.4 m (soft-sided pool) and access is via a ladder with an automatic safety gate or through a platform protected by a compliant fence, an additional safety fence is not required.
In all other cases, the same rules as inground pools apply.

The new pool regulations in summary

Type of installation	Access ladder requirement	Safety fence required	Secure gate required
Inground/semi-inground pools	Yes: ladder/stairs	Yes (1.2 m, 10 cm gap)	Yes (self-closing/locking)
Above-ground ≥ 1.2m or soft-sided ≥ 1.4 m	No, if secured access (ladder with self-locking gate, or fenced platform/deck)	No (if secured access)	Yes (via ladder or fence)

Safety fence specifications

Chain-link fences

Chain-link fences must be fitted with slats if the mesh openings are larger than 30 mm. Adding slats must ensure that a spherical object larger than 30 mm cannot pass through.

This requirement only applies to fences installed or replaced since July 1, 2021. A chain-link fence purchased before July 1, 2021, but installed no later than September 30, 2021, is also exempt. However, if a pool is replaced, the entire installation must be brought up to code.

Hedges and shrubs

Hedges or shrubs can never serve as a pool enclosure.

Removable fences

Installing a removable fence such as Pool Guard or Enfant Sécure is not prohibited, provided it meets the regulatory requirements. Although removable, such a fence must always remain in place and be kept in good working order.

Property fences

Property fences can form part of the pool enclosure if all enclosure and access requirements are met.

Ensure that your installation complies with regulations

See the complete application guide for the residential pool safety regulations (in french only)

Learn more

How to comply with the new regulation?

Assess your installation using the self-assessment forms available on the Government of Quebec’s website to check if your pool complies.
Contact your municipality to learn about specific requirements.
Obtain the necessary permits depending on the work required.
Complete the work needed to comply with the new standards.
Have your installation inspected once the work is completed.

What happens if you don’t comply?

Municipalities will be responsible for inspections. If the pool is non-compliant, you may receive violation notices and fines, in addition to having to quickly make the required corrections. A pool owner who violates any provision of this regulation is liable to a fine of at least $500 and up to $700. These amounts increase to $700 and $1,000 in the case of repeat offenses.*