The Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies (Regulation and Monitoring of Swimming Pools) Rules, 2015

What the rules govern

The Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies (Regulation and Monitoring of Swimming Pools) Rules, 2015 apply through Municipal Corporations, Municipalities and Town Panchayats in Tamil Nadu. They cover an artificial body of water with a surface area of at least 7.0 square metres and a water depth of at least 0.6 metre, used by one or more individuals primarily for swimming. Related equipment, structures, changing facilities, lockers, showers and bathrooms are included within the definition.

The rules recognise in-ground, on-ground, suspended, diving and zero-depth pools. They also define operational matters such as pool depth, bather load, drainage, filtration turnover and responsibility of the pool manager.

Who is affected

The Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies (Regulation and Monitoring of Swimming Pools) Rules, 2015 affect any landowner or occupier intending to construct or operate a swimming pool meeting the stated size and depth thresholds. Property owners, institutions and other occupiers within an urban local body should check that both construction and operating permissions have been obtained.

Construction and operating permissions

Key requirements include:

• An owner or occupier must apply to the relevant Executive Authority in Form I before beginning construction.
• The construction application must include the required documents, an affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper for Rs. 100 in Form II, and a fee of Rs. 5,000.
• A pool with a diving facility requires a clearance certificate from the Public Works Department.
• The Executive Authority cannot grant construction permission without concurrence from the relevant planning authority, including the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority where applicable.
• After construction, the owner or occupier must submit a completion report and Form IV, with an affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper for Rs. 100 in Form V.
• Operation may begin only after the Executive Authority grants permission in Form VI following the Committee's recommendation.

Review, appeals and enforcement

A Committee operates in each district and in the Chennai Metropolitan Area to consider the No Objection Certificate needed for operation. Its membership includes representatives concerned with police or district administration, sports development, public health, fire and rescue services, the urban local body and planning authorities.

An affected person may appeal within thirty days of receiving a construction or operating decision. A further revision petition may be made to the Government in the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department within thirty days of receiving the appellate decision.

Contravention attracts a penalty of Rs. 100. For a repeated contravention, the Executive Authority must suspend use of the pool until the violation is corrected.