Permit for Kiddie Pool?

WPVI-TV/DT Philadelphia ^ | 8.3.03

[mhking]

EBENSBURG, PA-August 3, 2003 — Cindy Lenz purchased an inflatable vinyl pool for about $50 so her family could cool off. Instead, she's steamed because a government agency says she needs a building permit or she could be fined.

Ben Grush, a building inspector for the Cambria-Somerset Council of Governments, which handles zoning for Ebensburg and other municipalities, said inflatable pools have been creating problems.

"Last year, pools like this started popping up all over the place. Some are 36 inches deep, some less. In most jurisdictions, they would be required to be fenced," Grush said.

The Lenz pool is 18 inches deep. Ebensburg's zoning law says that pools deeper than that must be fenced to protect against children falling in.

Grush said the agency is just doing its job. "If a toddler drowns and we haven't done our jobs, we're in between and get the blame," he said.

The Lenzes said they would appeal.

"Who would think that you would need government permission to buy a $49 inflatable at Wal-Mart and put it in your driveway?" said Edward Lenz, Cindy's husband.

[Petronski]

The heart of democratic union coal country in central PA.

[KevinDavis]

Oh for the love of god!!

[The Hon. Galahad Threepwood]

I can understand requiring a fence for deeper pools. But I don't understand why they think a building permit is going to save anyone's life.

[July 4th]

New at Wal-Mart: Inflatable Fence, $29.

[lilylangtree]

Sounds like the local govt needed extra cash real bad because permits aren't cheap. When you obtain one, then the jerks have it on file that you have an improvement. This is then following by a good hike of the value of your property which is translated into higher property taxes. Government at work!

[lowbridge]

"Who would think that you would need government permission to buy a $49 inflatable at Wal-Mart and put it in your driveway?" said Edward Lenz, Cindy's husband.

Today the inflatable pools. Tomorrow, the gardening supplies.

[baltodog]

I was just talking to a friend of mine at work the other day.
He put up a 36" softside.
A city inspector just "happened" to be driving by.
It waasn't up to code because it wasn't properly grounded.
Nevermind the fact that he told the inspector he only runs the filter when there is no one in the pool.
To keep the pool, he had to do away with the extension cord and get it properly grounded and wired by a licensed electrician.
He took the pool back.
I understand the risk of electricution, but what about just being able to say, "Stay outta' the pool 'til I get off work."?
It's my yard, I'll take responsibility!!!

[steplock]

Brought to you by the same JERKS that banned the Boy Scouts of America as being prejudiced & racist.

[KrisKrinkle]

Do you need a permit everytime you put it back up after taking it down?

[ICE-FLYER]

I can understand requiring a fence for deeper pools. But I don't understand why they think a building permit is going to save anyone's life.

I can't at all. Its called responsibility and we have taken it away from everyone by making such unconstitutional ordinances that require we do the bidding of the government on our own property. Where does it end. How is it that deeper than 18 is ok to require the PRIVATE PROPERTY owner to build a fence to appease the government for the insignificant amount of risk involved here??? Fireworks are not allowed in the entire police state of New York. Why?? Because, sniff sniff, children have to be protected from their parents by the government because a few of them out of millions have suffered injury. So, the whole of the citicenry of New York was stripped of their right to have and use fireworks to save the children. Many more than this die from other causes less than fireworks yet this one gets the banning. I resent government doing such things and resent parents who dont care but I am sick of losing my freedom to the idiots of the world by way of the one-size-fits-all liberal government answer like the one in Pennsylvania about the little pool.

[mamelukesabre]

You can?? I don't even understand the fence. It's private property. If I wanted to litter my backyard with steal bear traps ready to go off if someone steps in them, that's my business. Tresspassers(sp?) tresspass at their own risk.

[The Hon. Galahad Threepwood]

Well, maybe if you're very lucky, a small child will die on your property someday, and you can have a party and celebrate the death of a trespasser.

[mamelukesabre]

What the heck is wrong with you?

[Wolfie]

"Who would think that you would need government permission to buy a $49 inflatable at Wal-Mart and put it in your driveway?" said Edward Lenz, Cindy's husband.

Anybody who's been paying attention for the last 60 years.

[Wolfie]

Grush said the agency is just doing its job. "If a toddler drowns and we haven't done our jobs, we're in between and get the blame," he said.

I hate to say it, but this guy's right. The first words out of somebody's mouth in the face a drowning will be "Where's my lawyer?". The second words will be "There ouhgta be a law".

[The Hon. Galahad Threepwood]

I am unwilling to brush off the possible death or injury of a child by saying "Trespassers trespass at their own risk."

That's what's wrong with me.

[zook]

PA is the state where they won't let you use a float toy of any kind in a state park swimming area.

[Arkinsaw]

You live in the city you get the mess associated with it. My suggestion for these folks is to head for the hills.

[cannonball]

And some people wonder why I left PA and moved to TX.