Quebec extends deadline for backyard pool safety rules, again: 2 more years to comply
Posted October 22, 2025 9:56 am.
Last Updated October 22, 2025 10:15 am.
Quebec residents will have two years to bring their pools into compliance with the province’s Outdoor Pool Safety Regulations, following a second extension announced by Minister of Municipal Affairs, Geneviève Guilbault on Wednesday.
The new deadline of Sept. 30, 2027 gives pool owners, including those with pre-2010 instillations, additional time to meet the required safety standards such as proper fencing to prevent child access.
This comes after widespread public backlash over the original deadline of Sept. 30 of this year — Guilbault had then announced a one-year reprieve last month, and now ultimately decided to extend this reprieve by an additional year.
“As soon as I arrived at Municipal Affairs, I made this issue my top priority and committed to getting things moving quickly. One month later, we moved from intention to action with the publication of a draft by-law that will allow the deadline for residential pools to be postponed by two years,” she said in a news release on Wednesday morning.
“For me, this is a concrete example of pragmatism and common sense to help our citizens and the municipal sector, while maintaining our firm commitment to ensuring that pools are safe in Quebec,” she added. “At the same time, I am continuing my discussions with municipal representatives to identify solutions to facilitate understanding, compliance, and enforcement of the Regulation.”
The new regulations aim to limit young children’s access to residential pools through certain measures, include stricter fencing standards – obliging homeowners to have an enclosed fence built around their pools – mandatory automatic gates, and a $500 fine for violations.
This regulation applies to all outdoor residential pools, whether in-ground, semi-inground, above-ground, or removable (inflatable or other).
“In addition to giving citizens more time to plan their work, this extension will allow for a better distribution of demand among contractors, while working collaboratively with municipalities to identify solutions that can facilitate the Regulation’s implementation,” it was stated in the news release.
Adding that although a postponement is proposed, the safety of residential pools remains the priority.
Owners are encouraged to continue planning and carrying out their work to bring their facilities into compliance.
