Swim wear dress code for community pool?

[LovesTimone]

I got a email from the HOA, about a meeting to discuss the issue and concerns about inappropriate swim wear and behavior at the community pool.. and come up with family friendly swim wear dress code and code of conducts while at the pool...

I know last year we did have some issues with a group of high school girls laying out topless, then complained to the HOA when the lawn guys where standing around gawking at them... as well then DH and I were at the pool when 2 neighbors got into a disagreement that almost ended in blows, The one mans daughters are about in the 10 to 12 year old range, and the swimsuits they had on were something that in my opinion (which means nothing)looked like swimwear for older girls like something you would see on the beach during a college spring break, both of their bare bottoms were hanging out, they were playing with some of the other kids, and the other 2 dads watching their younger kids in the shallow end, when the dad of the two girls accused them of staring, and it went sideways from there...

I asked my neighbor what all this was about, she said that another neighbor told her that apparently we have had some more topless sun bathing, along with a pool party after hours that involved a group of young men skinny dipping, and they left a huge mess, along with broken glass which is a whole set of problems in itself ( the pool rules state no glass along with pool hours) ... Then to top that off with the HOA person finding someone passed on in a lounge chair last week... so we have had alot of people in the pool after hours, and the mess that they leave behind is again another issue... then the whole what is swimwear that is appropriate.... Sooo all this and it's not summer yet, and with the kids getting out of school soon...

Our pool close's at dark, which I really see no problem in... Its a matter of safety... while the gate locks, people were using the gym to get into the pool area, those doors can not be lock do to fire safety... so how are we suppose to deal with that...yes we have camera's

As far as the ladies that are the topless sunbather's...first I think we need to look at what the law is and go from there...

thoughts or any suggestions...

 

[kdonnel]

First off, I want to move to your neighborhood, sounds like a party oriented group of people!

Secondly, I don’t envy your task.

There is zero chance you will make anyone happy with the policies that get generated. You will know you were successful if everyone is mad. If anyone is happy the policies are unfair.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

Oh jeez. That's awful.

I guess I'm lucky things haven't gotten that bad at my pool yet. It's a swim club attached to a religious community organization with a bar/restaurant/camp/sports teams and building with year round use. So there are paid memberships, but we let visitors in for a fee as well.

When things do get weird at my pool, the members take ownership of the situation and toss out visitors and have a stern talking to with the people acting out. It is private property, but we aren't weird about restrictive rules either, but the members tend to be religious and family-oriented as well.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Thats gross, no-one should need to be told how to behave themselves in public. Noone wants to see your parts and if you wanna show and there is an audience go make yourself a OnlyFans page and advertise on your t-shirt or shorts, now you have a business.

Just slide the new rules in along all the others & have new signs made posted. Even talk to whoever runs the place about fines for repeat offenders, maybe $10 each which goes up per time, I call these kinds of fees a jerk tax. If you do not have cameras put in cameras with motion lights and start charging culprits $200 clean up fees, it's all fun and games until there is a punitive fee. If it's ongoing find out how much the extra coverage will cost from Insurance and tell the whole community they all need to chip in to protect the group, watch how fast the community removes the problem.
I'd keep escalating until the behavior became so uncomfortable that either they stop or they are bearing the brunt of the problems they cause.
We have lots of rules at our place and no-one bucks them.

Make new signs like:
"For the comfort and safety of those in attendance:

Nudity is not permitted
No thongs or thong like suits for anyone are permitted, if anyone is un-prepared they will be offered alternative clothing expected to be worn the duration of their time at the facility or expected to leave.
(I'd spend a few dollars for a collection of hideous obnoxious 3x very long very baggy fits everybody to the knees ugly t-shirts and shorts - they'll do it once and never again)
No children under __ without an adult, minors under 18 can get a special pool pass on a case by case basis which can be revoked for noncompliance (no more nude HS students)
No drinking alcoholic beverages of any kind within X feet of the pool at any time
No running
No jumping
No spitting
etc....

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Our HOA pool rules have adjusted over time accounting for issues that have arisen.

While there have been complaints by some people regarding attire that has generally been met with sorta an understanding that if it's swimwear it's acceptable (although yes that has brought up "family friendly" discussions but there's a line they don't want to overreach and police just exactly the acceptable bottoms or tops). Topless however would be another thing as that is not swimwear..but lack of it lol.

This will be the first year cameras will be there for our neighborhood. It was more a determination of the pool and the new sports court as that was getting vandalized (the storage container was forcibly broken into multiple times to get nets and stuff for pickleball instead of using the code for the lock) and people were hopping the fence enough for the pool both during pool hours and after hours.

A few years back they went to an RFID key fob instead of a normal key for access to the pool. While that doesn't help on the jumping of the fence (the cameras should help with that one) the key fob data can be used to figure out what house at least was used to enter and exit. Your key fob will not work unless you pay your HOA dues AND fill out the electronic form advising you read the pool rules and understand them.

For enforcement they listed: "21. ENFORCEMENT: Any homeowner or FirstService Residential personnel will have the authority to enforce all rules above. Violations should be reported immediately to FirstService Residential."

For consequences they listed: "19. VIOLATIONS of these rules may result in the suspension of the homeowner’s swimming privileges. (No allowances will be made in annual dues)."

Under the alcohol policy (which alcohol is allowed no glass containers period but there are rules and other normal guidelines) the consequence is listed as "9. Anyone not complying with these rules may be directed to leave the premises immediately and/or have pool privileges suspended." For the alcohol policy they are pulling up the state law for guidance on that one in part at least.

It has been determined however if persons are there after the posted hours they are considered trespassing and the police can be called. For a while there was talk about the pool parking lot (which is also where people park to use the covered shelter and the two pergola shelters and use the playgrounds and the sport court) hours because people would go up there (usually teens) and congregate at night. I saw no issues with that but it was determined it caused a disturbance with the houses around it including noise levels and car headlights (both of which I understood) so the pool parking lot was added to the hours posted. Our pool however is open til 10pm this year every day when it opens up Memorial Day (assuming it passes city's inspection).

 

[BrianL]

Glass around the pool is a major no-no! Obviously you want some rules in place to discourage it, but really, the parents of the teenagers acting inappropriately need to have a talk with their kids about attire, etc. If suspending pool privileges is an option, I would go that route. One warning, then you are banned for the season.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

the parents of the teenagers acting inappropriately need to have a talk with their kids about attire, etc

To some parents they aren't going to see a problem with it or at the least don't think it's the HOA's business to be telling them how to parent. Annoying that that stance is some parents will always fall into that category.

 

[tzolkin]

While there have been complaints by some people regarding attire that has generally been met with sorta an understanding that if it's swimwear it's acceptable (although yes that has brought up "family friendly" discussions but there's a line they don't want to overreach and police just exactly the acceptable bottoms or tops). Topless however would be another thing as that is not swimwear..but lack of it lol.

I think this really has to be the rule. Anything stating "appropriate" or "family friendly" or whatever is always up for interpretation. My daughter wore a bathing suit to a friend's house once and the mom said she didn't want her child to be friends with her anymore because she must be a "s***" based on her bathing suit (it was a one-piece suit that I felt was "full-coverage" and daughter only weighs like 80lb so no cleavage or anything).

As far as the ladies that are the topless sunbather's...first I think we need to look at what the law is and go from there....

This would be a good thing to check first. In some cities women are allowed to go topless the same as men, so if that's the case in your area that may be why they think it's okay at the pool. You should still be allowed to make a dress code rule for private property, but if it's illegal for women to be topless where you live that would be an easy way to not have anyone push back against the policy since you would just be going along with already established law.

 

[sam_gordon]

I got a email from the HOA, about a meeting to discuss the issue and concerns about inappropriate swim wear and behavior at the community pool.. and come up with family friendly swim wear dress code and code of conducts while at the pool...

I know last year we did have some issues with a group of high school girls laying out topless, then complained to the HOA when the lawn guys where standing around gawking at them... as well then DH and I were at the pool when 2 neighbors got into a disagreement that almost ended in blows, The one mans daughters are about in the 10 to 12 year old range, and the swimsuits they had on were something that in my opinion (which means nothing)looked like swimwear for older girls like something you would see on the beach during a college spring break, both of their bare bottoms were hanging out, they were playing with some of the other kids, and the other 2 dads watching their younger kids in the shallow end, when the dad of the two girls accused them of staring, and it went sideways from there...

I asked my neighbor what all this was about, she said that another neighbor told her that apparently we have had some more topless sun bathing, along with a pool party after hours that involved a group of young men skinny dipping, and they left a huge mess, along with broken glass which is a whole set of problems in itself ( the pool rules state no glass along with pool hours) ... Then to top that off with the HOA person finding someone passed on in a lounge chair last week... so we have had alot of people in the pool after hours, and the mess that they leave behind is again another issue... then the whole what is swimwear that is appropriate.... Sooo all this and it's not summer yet, and with the kids getting out of school soon...

Our pool close's at dark, which I really see no problem in... Its a matter of safety... while the gate locks, people were using the gym to get into the pool area, those doors can not be lock do to fire safety... so how are we suppose to deal with that...yes we have camera's

As far as the ladies that are the topless sunbather's...first I think we need to look at what the law is and go from there...

thoughts or any suggestions...

This would be a good meeting to go to and sit in the back and just watch/listen.

My .02:
* Topless is not acceptable at a community pool (at this point in time). Since topless (for females) is unusual in the US, yes, I do think you can expect people to gawk/stare at you if you make that choice.
* Skinny dipping is not acceptable at any time.
* Regulating the suits/clothes that ARE worn is a tough battle. How do you specify what's "acceptable"? How much cloth is "enough"?
* Fighting, bringing glass, after hours use (assuming the hours are posted/given out), and skinny dipping should not be allowed and there should be consequences to people who break those rules.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I think this really has to be the rule. Anything stating "appropriate" or "family friendly" or whatever is always up for interpretation. My daughter wore a bathing suit to a friend's house once and the mom said she didn't want her child to be friends with her anymore because she must be a "s***" based on her bathing suit (it was a one-piece suit that I felt was "full-coverage" and daughter only weighs like 80lb so no cleavage or anything).

Yeah that was sorta what got brought up. Any show of "cheeks" to some were off-putting and others were like "uh...".

The neighborhood is billed as family friendly and "consideration of others" is mentioned amongst other things and yadda yadda yadda but pool attire is one they have just tried to stay neutral. It's "9. SWIMSUITS ONLY. No other clothing can be worn for swimming." and that's it.

 

[daisy2013]

Lock the gates. Put an alarm on the door that leads from the gym to the pool so if it’s opened it goes off - and make it loud and maybe alert whomever is in charge of the pool or the safety office.
Don’t police peoples attire. What people wear is up to them.

 

[KittyKitty]

I used to live in a townhouse complex and wished we had a pool....

Now I don't.

 

[RedAngie]

Water parks all state that they have the right to determine what is appropriate swimwear. I suppose the HOA could set up a Legion of Decency Committee to determine the same. I’m sure some busy bodies would volunteer. That should be fun.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Who would enforce a dress code -- the HOA police?

 

[penn19]

Yeah that was sorta what got brought up. Any show of "cheeks" to some were off-putting and others were like "uh...".

The neighborhood is billed as family friendly and "consideration of others" is mentioned amongst other things and yadda yadda yadda but pool attire is one they have just tried to stay neutral. It's "9. SWIMSUITS ONLY. No other clothing can be worn for swimming." and that's it.

I agree with you on that stance. In our county we have a large number of Muslims/Indians. They don’t typically wear a regulation type swimsuit. They go into the pool fully clothed. And that’s been causing an issue with community pools because apparently the fibers etc from non swimsuit material does a number on the pool filter.

 

[footballmouse]

I bet the bathing suits that the younger girls were wearing were the newer style that don't come down past the butt cheeks. I noticed this a couple of summers ago at a pool community and just thought they needed to pull the bottoms down but then realized that it was the newest style. Going to be hard to ban that style of suit.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I agree with you on that stance. In our county we have a large number of Muslims/Indians. They don’t typically wear a regulation type swimsuit. They go into the pool fully clothed. And that’s been causing an issue with community pools because apparently the fibers etc from non swimsuit material does a number on the pool filter.

I'm not sure if it was your intent or not but I do not in any way think policies are designed to single out any one person, their ethnicity, or culture regardless if some cultures are more prevalent in wearing of non-swimsuit material. Some people where t-shirts to swim, others might wear their undergarments (could see that one especially if sneaking in for a late night out of hours swim), etc.

In a nutshell: Even though you are agreeing with me not sure the religious/ethnicity remark was needed. Your point is just non-swimsuit material can cause damage (I've also read it's hygiene related with bacteria, etc) to which I can agree with.

 

[penn19]

I'm not sure if it was your intent or not but I do not in any way think policies are designed to single out any one person, their ethnicity, or culture regardless if some cultures are more prevalent in wearing of non-swimsuit material. Some people where t-shirts to swim, others might wear their undergarments (could see that one especially if sneaking in for a late night out of hours swim), etc.

In a nutshell: Even though you are agreeing with me not sure the religious/ethnicity remark was needed. Your point is just non-swimsuit material can cause damage (I've also read it's hygiene related with bacteria, etc) to which I can agree with.

Not my intent to single out anyone. Yes the non swimsuit material was my point. Wasn’t being racist or whatever. Stating a fact that it’s an issue. The people I have spoken to and a few of the articles I read mentioned that it was something with the fabric that was worn. Most people I know who swim wear a traditional swimsuit. I don’t know many people who wear street wear into the pool. Please don’t look for an issue where there is none.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Not my intent to single out anyone. Yes the non swimsuit material was my point. Wasn’t being racist or whatever. Stating a fact that it’s an issue. The people I have spoken to and a few of the articles I read mentioned that it was something with the fabric that was worn. Most people I know who swim wear a traditional swimsuit. I don’t know many people who wear street wear into the pool. Please don’t look for an issue where there is none.

Usually I see a t-shirt when someone feels more comfortable being more covered. I don't think you were being racist (I don't use that word lightly) It was just an unnecessary specification IMO.

It's all good, no worries

 

[NotUrsula]

There are a number of laws on the books in various places that define public indecency by carefully defining what are referred to a "specified anatomical areas", and stating that you cannot expose "specified anatomical areas". I would think that your local jurisdiction probably already has such a definition on the books, though it might simply refer back to the State's definition.

If so, all you need to do is say that only swimwear may be worn in pools, and swimwear that exposes specified anatomical areas as defined by County ordinance 123.4 are not acceptable, and that guests failing to abide by this rule will be required by staff to change clothing or leave. (You can exempt children under a certain age if you don't care about nekkid babies, LOL.)

As to the late-night issues, that one is for the cops. Whoever is monitoring the security cameras needs to call them if someone is seen there after hours; the cops will escort them out and ticket them for trespassing.

Also, if the fire exit from the gym gives directly onto the pool deck, then you need an extra fence gate installed there, so that if you exit that door you get channeled out the other (open) gate unless you have the second gate key to access the pool deck; having a fire exit go out directly to a pool deck is probably a liability issue, and your insurance company surely won't like it.

As for the cultural issues, the best remedy for that is education. If you don't allow folks to swim fully clothed, and people regularly try it, then I would ask their clergy to help you make a list of places to purchase acceptable styles that meet their religious requirements and also are acceptable from a safety POV, which you make into a flyer or link on the website. If they try to get into the pool clothed, then they still have to get out, but they get a copy of the flier so they know where to get acceptable clothing for next time. (There are plenty of online sources for modest swimwear that meets safety standards, but not many brick & mortar stores that carry them, except in really large ethnic enclaves that serve those markets. More likely that the women are told that pools are just not an option for them, which isn't true. However, voluminous waterlogged cotton clothing is a definite safety hazard, so just like anyone else, they have to find a safe alternative.)