The construction of a swimming pool in a campsite is always a profitable investment, as it greatly increases the attractiveness of the structure, attracting a greater number of users. But so that the swimming pool does not turn from an opportunity into a problem, it is essential to approach the planning, design and construction with clear ideas on what is possible and must be done and what is not. Certainly the current legislation does not help, since in Italy the construction and management of swimming pools has been included in the health sector and has become a matter in competition with the Regions. This has led to total confusion between the many different regional provisions, where they exist, and to profound uncertainty about what to do in the Regions that have not acted. Therefore, in recent years, many completely erroneous beliefs have spread, which could lead to the creation of plants that do not comply with the law, with the consequent consequences.
A necessary premise must be made: the same confusion that afflicts those who have to build a swimming pool also affects the control bodies. Therefore, a possible silence of the technical offices of the Municipalities, which are often less competent in the matter than those who proceed with the request for information or submit a building practice, should not be understood as a reassurance of the right action. Problems, therefore, rarely arise at the time of construction, but can become very serious in the event of an accident. In fact, during a possible trial, the experts will be able to look for something wrong in the folds of laws and regulations, and it is very likely that they will find it. Therefore, it is really important to rely on expert people who are able to know, evaluate and explain every single situation and not trust “hearsay”.
Building permits for swimming pools on campsites
Any type of swimming pool requires a building permit. There are various types of permits and their application also differs according to the type of pool to be installed, but even a simple above-ground pool requires permits.
It should also be considered that campsites are very often located in areas subject to environmental constraints. In these cases, great care must be taken, because it may not be possible to place the tanks above ground without the permission of the Superintendence. There have been many sentences of the Cassation on this subject, and all have agreed on affirming the need for an authorisation, even for tanks without support on a concrete structure. In fact, what affects is not only the construction of permanent support structures, but the fact that the swimming pool is not temporary, as it is not permanently removed (without reassembling it the following season!) after 180 days as required by law, and modifies the state of places.
The fact that the pool can be “disassembled” has no effect: after 180 days it must be definitively dismantled, otherwise it requires a building permit, which very often, if there are no environmental constraints, is reduced to a simple communication. Instead, in the case of an inground pool, it is necessary to proceed with a building permit, or in some cases with a SCIA, and if the permission of the Superintendency is required, the times are longer.
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