Summer might be winding down, but if you’ve got a pool in your backyard, now’s not the time to tune out! Starting next month, new province-wide rules for residential outdoor pools are coming into effect in Quebec, and not following them could land you with a hefty fine.
As of September 30, 2025, all residential outdoor pools in Quebec — including in-ground, above-ground, inflatable, and temporary setups — will need to meet safety standards that were initially rolled out in 2010.
Although these regulations have existed for over a decade, they previously only applied to new pools installed after 2010. But come fall, that exemption is gone, and every pool will need to be up to code, regardless of when they were installed or bought.
The change is part of an effort to make pools safer for everyone — and especially kids — in the province. The government wants to prevent possible drownings by tightening up regulations, particularly for backyard setups that might seem safe but that actually pose drowning risks.
Quebec pool owners are encouraged to get familiar with these new rules and take the necessary steps to comply before the deadline, which is fast approaching.
Exactly what you need to do, however, depends on the type of pool you have at home.
In-ground pools
For in-ground and semi-in-ground pools, the rules are pretty straightforward: they must be fully enclosed by a fence that’s at least 1.2 metres high. The pool’s own walls don’t count, even if they’re relatively tall, and hedges and bushes won’t qualify, either.
In some cases, your property itself or existing barriers might qualify under certain conditions.
Any gates or doors providing access to the pool area also need to close automatically and have a functional latch. Plus, they must be designed in a way so that they can’t be climbed.
These pools are also required to have an easily-accessible ladder or steps for getting in and out of the water.
Above-ground pools
When it comes to above-ground pools, you might be off the hook for a fence if the pool walls are at least 1.2 metres high and difficult to climb — these can count as a natural barrier. If not, the pool must be surrounded by a fence.
Plus, if your setup includes a ladder or deck, those parts must be secured or appropriately blocked.
Inflatable or temporary pools
As for inflatable or temporary pools, if they’re deeper than 60 centimetres (around two feet), they still need to be surrounded by a fence, no matter how long they’re set up for. In some cases, you may even need a municipal permit, even if the pool’s just for the summer.
In all cases, keep anything that could be used to climb away from the pool fence — so no grills, picnic benches, trash bins, or planters within a metre of it.
And if your pool has a diving board, there’s one more rule: it must meet BNQ safety standards to reduce the risk of serious spinal injuries, so double-check that your setup is compliant.
Some cities may have extra requirements, too, so it pays to check in with your municipality to see what exact rules apply where you live.
Ignore this, and you could be hit with a fine: $500–$700, possibly hitting $1,000 if you’ve already been warned and haven’t fixed things.
So, if you want to splash around without stressing, now’s the time to double-check your setup. Call your municipality, inspect your pool’s safety, and make sure you’re ahead of the change!
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