So you’re thinking about finally installing a Hot Tub to relax in during those long, wet North Vancouver winters? Well before your backyard becomes the envy of the neighbourhood, we want to quickly make sure you have crossed your t’s and dotted your lower-case j’s.
Jump to a Quick Hot Tub Installation Tip:
- Check which permits you require
- Ensure you have sufficient space for a hot tub
- Consider the electrical laws & requirements
- Plan the delivery ahead of time
Check which permits you require
If you live in North Vancouver and are considering installing a hot tub on your property, you may require permits to do so legally. The District of North Vancouver is split into zones, and each zone may differ in their permit requirements. Because every hot tub installation project is different, your project may or may not require the following permits: environmental permit, electrical permit, plumbing permit, building permit, &/or gas permit. Make sure to do your due diligence and ensure you obtain the proper permits ahead of time.
If you require information or help with the electrical side of your hot tub installation in North Vancouver, the local electricians at Fowlstone Electric have extensive experience with permits and hot tub installation in Vancouver.
Here are a couple links to help you learn more about your specific hot tub installation permit requirements.
*Information & links current as of publication date but are subject to change. Make sure information is current before relying on it.
General Building Permit information: https://www.dnv.org/property-and-development/apply-building-and-building-related-permits
Pool & Hot Tub Regulations: https://www.dnv.org/sites/default/files/edocs/outdoor-pool-and-hot-tub-regulations.pdf
Electrical Permit: https://www.dnv.org/permits-licenses/electrical-permit
Gas Permit: https://www.dnv.org/permits-licenses/gas-permit
Plumbing Permit: https://www.dnv.org/permits-licenses/plumbing-permit
Zoning Map & Bylaw: https://www.dnv.org/property-and-development/district-wide-zoning-map-and-bylaw
Ensure you have sufficient space for a hot tub
Surprise, surprise… hot tubs are large items. So it should come as no surprise that you will require a fairly large open area to have your hot tub installed. Find the measurements of a typical hot tub, or if you have a specific model in mind, make a note of it’s size, then measure the area you are planning to install it. Make sure you also plan for extra room to get into and out of the hot tub safely and comfortably, as well as leaving the necessary room for maintenance on the hot tub itself.
When choosing the location, and now that you have checked on your permit requirements!, make sure your chosen hot tub location does not violate any permit or zoning requirements.
Consider the electrical laws & requirements
Wiring a hot tub correctly is of the utmost importance to ensure the safety of anyone using the hot tub. Again, check your local electrical regulations and ensure you have obtained the proper permits to make sure you are installing your hot tub safely and legally.
A few electrical requirements to consider are whether you will be wiring below or above ground, whether you will require an extra circuit, or if you have room on your current electrical panel for a hot tub. If you are hesitant about doing any of this yourself, choosing an electrician in Vancouver like Fowlstone Electric will ensure the job gets done the right way.
Plan the delivery ahead of time
Again, hot tubs are large. When planning a hot tub installation at your North Vancouver home, make sure to account for the actual delivery of the unit, and how it will get from your curb to its installation location.
Hot tubs can weigh around 800 lbs. without water, so moving them into position may require large conveyances. Think about the route the hot tub will take and whether there is enough room to get it from A to B, through gates, around bushes, neighbours fences, etc.
It is important you have a plan on delivery day and have thought through the logistics of the delivery. This will save you from any potential headaches when the day comes.
Conclusion
Now that you know what to consider before moving ahead with a hot tub installation in North Vancouver, your relaxing, hot tub filled winter is all that much closer to reality. Yes, there are a number of hoops to jump through before you get there, but now that you are actually aware these hoops exist, you know where to jump! Again, if you need help with any part on the electrical side of things, give Fowlstone Electric a call and we will make your installation experience almost as relaxing as sitting in that hot tub on a rainy day!
