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←Toronto City Council · 2021-10-01 · 2021.MM36.24

The filed record

Over Our Heads - Managing Public Use of Residential Pools Through On-Line Reservation Services - by Deputy Mayor Denzil Minnan-Wong, seconded by Councillor Michael Thompson

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The decision

2021-10-01 · Toronto City Council · amended

As filed

City Council on October 1 and 4, 2021, adopted the following: 1. City Council request the City Manager, in consultation with the appropriate divisions and Toronto Public Health to: a. perform a robust analysis of residential pool rentals, and the associated property standards and public health and safety issues, including compliance with the City's pool fence enclosure By-law; and b. develop a plan of action, with proper regulations and an enforcement plan to protect residents.

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2. City Council direct the City Manager to report back to the appropriate committee by April 2022 on Part 1 above.

The vote

Waive Referral · Carried, 20-4

For (20)Ana Bailão, Anthony Perruzza, Cynthia Lai, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata, Gary Crawford, James Pasternak, Jennifer McKelvie, Joe Cressy, John Filion, John Tory, Josh Matlow, Kristyn Wong-Tam, Mark Grimes, Michael Ford, Mike Layton, Nick Mantas, Paul Ainslie, Paula Fletcher, Stephen Holyday
Against (4)Gord Perks, Michael Thompson, Mike Colle, Shelley Carroll
Absent (2)Brad Bradford, Jaye Robinson
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On the agenda

As the city filed it

This summer a number of home owners with backyard swimming pools dipped their toes in a new on-line marketplace for pool rentals. Through a website, they listed their pools for rent by the hours, booked reservations, and collected rental fees. There are several inherent problems with this type of service, ranging from property standards issues to serious health and safety issues. In some cases nearby neighbours were impacted by nearly constant usage of these pools, with more parties and disruptive behavior than is typical with a residential pool.

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Several by-law complaints, ranging from excessive noise to operating a commercial business from a residential property, were filed with Municipal Licensing and Standards. Municipal Licensing and Standards however, was limited in its ability to enter these properties to investigate complaints. Health and safety issues are a serious concern. As a commercial operation these pools are required to adhere to Ontario's Health Protection and Promotion Act regulations for public pools. The Act regulates many aspects of pool operations, ranging from emergency equipment to water quality and chemical storage. These regulations are generally considered to be very difficult, if not impossible, to implement at a private residential pool. A single pool rental location in my ward disrupted several families' enjoyment of their properties this summer. In Toronto we should expect this service to grow considerably for next year's pool season. The next six months are the ideal time to analyze this issue and develop an approach to managing it next summer.

Staff recommended

Deputy Mayor Denzil Minnan-Wong, seconded by Councillor Michael Thompson, recommends that: 1. City Council request the City Manager, in consultation with the appropriate divisions and Toronto Public Health to: a. perform a robust analysis of residential pool rentals, and the associated property standards and public health and safety issues; and b. develop a plan of action, with proper regulations and an enforcement plan to protect residents.

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2. City Council direct the City Manager to report back to the appropriate committee by April 2022 on Part 1 above.

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