XIII. Pools and Outdoor Recreational Equipment
- SMALL POOLS AND ORNAMENTAL PONDS (UNDER 12’ wide and/or 23” deep)
- Approval Requirements: Small pools and ornamental ponds less than twenty-three (23) inches deep and less than twelve (12) feet in diameter may be purchased and installed without prior approval from GHI staff. See XIII.B for larger pools and ornamental ponds.
- Installation Requirements: Ornamental ponds may be dug into yards provided that they do not interfere with yard swales or natural drainage.
- Member Responsibilities: Members are responsible for ensuring that their pools or ornamental ponds are properly installed, used and maintained in a safe and sanitary condition and must not become breeding sites for mosquitoes.
- LARGE POOLS AND ORNAMENTAL PONDS (OVER 12’ wide and/or 23” deep)
- Approval Requirements: All pools, including but not limited to ornamental ponds, outdoor hot tubs and spas, over twenty-three (23) inches deep or over twelve (12) feet in diameter must receive prior GHI staff approval. Installation of swimming pools must be authorized in advance by an affirmative vote of the Board of Directors. Installation of ponds, hot tubs, or spas may be approved by GHI staff. As a condition of GHI staff approval, each Member who wishes to install a large pool or pond must sign a Recreation Structure Indemnification Agreement in a form prescribed by GHI, protecting GHI from all liability. Each Member who wishes to install a pool must obtain and at all times maintain liability insurance providing coverage for any injury or damage arising in connection with use of the pool or recreation equipment, with minimum coverage limits of $500,000. In addition, the Member must obtain personal umbrella liability insurance of not less than $2,000,000. The Member must provide documentation of such insurance coverage (both liability and umbrella) annually to GHI.
- Installation Requirements: No installation will be allowed if it will interfere with natural drainage. The maximum depth of any pool, tub or spa shall not exceed thirty-six (36) inches. Water must be recirculated and filtered. Every swimming pool must be enclosed by a fence not less than seventy-two (72) inches high, with a locked gate in compliance with local codes (Prince George's County Code, Subtitle 27. – Zoning, Part 5, Division 1, Section 27-424. - Swimming pools and Greenbelt City Code, Div. 3. General Requirements, Subdiv. 2. Exterior Property Areas, Sec. 4-130.5).
- Member Responsibilities: All pools, ponds, hot tubs and spas must be maintained in safe, clean and sanitary condition and must not become areas for mosquito breeding. Pool chemicals must be stored in a locked enclosure. A pool cover must be installed at all times when the pool is not occupied. Hot tubs or spas must be protected with safety covers in compliance with the local code. The safety cover must be in place whenever a hot tub or spa is not occupied in accordance with Greenbelt City Code, Div. 3. General Requirements, Subdiv. 2. Exterior Property Areas, Sec. 4-130.5
- TRAMPOLINES
- Approval Requirements: Trampolines must be approved in advance by GHI staff. As a condition of GHI staff approval, each Member who wishes to install a trampoline must sign a Recreation Structure Indemnification Agreement, in a form prescribed by GHI, protecting GHI from all liability. Each Member who wishes to install a trampoline must obtain and at all times maintain liability insurance providing coverage for any injury or damage arising in connection with use of the trampoline, with minimum coverage limits of $500,000. In addition, the Member must obtain personal umbrella liability insurance of not less than $1,000,000. The Member must provide documentation of such insurance coverage (both liability and umbrella) annually to GHI.
- Installation Requirements: Every trampoline must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, must be enclosed by a safety net at all times, and must be properly maintained in safe condition. Every yard in which a trampoline is installed must be enclosed by a fence not less than 36 inches high with a locked gate.
- Member Responsibilities: When a trampoline is not in use, the safety net must be locked and any steps or ladders to access the trampoline must be removed.
- OTHER OUTDOOR RECREATION EQUIPMENT
- Installation Requirements: All recreation equipment, including but not limited to swing sets, slides, climbing equipment, playhouses and other play structures, must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and must be properly maintained in safe condition.
- Approval Requirement: As a condition of GHI staff approval, each Member who wishes to install recreation equipment must sign a Recreation Structure Indemnification Agreement, in a form prescribed by GHI, protecting GHI from all liability.
