Council OKs swimming pool code change

The Kalispell City Council on Monday approved the first reading of new building codes for swimming pool and spa construction, requiring developers to apply for and receive special permits that could cost about 2 percent of the contract price.

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry Building Codes Bureau adopted the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code in 2015.

Failing to adopt the new codes would have put the Kalispell Building Department out of compliance with the State Building Codes Bureau.

Council member Phil Guiffrida saw the new regulations as more government oversight into local policies.

“When I look at the administrative section, I feel like they put a lot of burden on this,” Guiffrida said. “The grievance this creates would cost more than that 2 percent. This is just another one of those situations where, no local control, we have to pass it or else we couldn’t do anything with our building inspections in the future.”

However, he concluded: “In the end we have to approve it.”

Guiffrida and council member Rod Kuntz voted against the measure that passed on a 5-2 vote. Council members Chad Graham and Tim Kluesner were not at Monday’s meeting.

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.