+21 votes
by (2k points)
Has anyone built a pool in their backyard? We would like to purchase an 18 foot round pool and are curious about how strict the rules are for permits. Any bit of info would be greatly appreciated. As well as the size. We are a family of 4. Do you all think 15 feet round is adequate? Thanks in advance for your replies!  
Has anyone built a pool in their backyard?

19 Answers

+18 votes
by (8.4k points)
 
Best answer
We put in an above ground pool but ours is bigger. 24’x15’. 15 foot round is plenty big. DP was a nightmare to deal with. They give you a permit to fill out and there are no clear instructions and what they require you to submit. I brought everything, that the department told me to include, and then I was told that I needed additional items. I went back about 6 times with additional documents. They even asked for the manuals on every item that the pool included, like the manual for the heater, for the skimmer, for the filter, etc. The pool doesn’t come with manuals so I had to find them online and forward them. Our pool was about to get installed and I had to beg them to please expedite my permit. I received my permit the day before the pool installers came. It was a really bad experience. Oh and the inspector sucked. He was a young, cute, super tall guy with blonde hair and and blue eyes. He had a terrible attitude, told me everything that was wrong but I passed inspection anyways. I was happy to have that experience behind me. The pool must be 5 feet from the fence.  
by (2k points)
@drain7 how long ago was that?  
by (2k points)
@drain7 I’m so sorry for you bad experience but I’m glad you got it done.  
by (8.4k points)
@capitation , last summer.  
+9 votes
by (7.8k points)
I love the 18'x9' we had from Intex. also a family of 4
+17 votes
by (650 points)
You have to do research they have restrictions on pools and how much room you need around them.  
+13 votes
by (3.7k points)
In addition to city permit rules, you may also want to clear with your home insurance company.  
+18 votes
by (8.2k points)
There is some info on the city hall website regarding pools. I had to look it up when researching a new deck
+13 votes
by (680 points)
You need a fence and flat ground. Our friends had landscapers flatten a spot in their backyard and then they (by themselves) installed a 24’ round pool
+16 votes
by (11.6k points)
U have to be so far away from the fence and power lines and then away from the house it’s a pain in the butt . Look up city of Des plaines pool guidelines . The city inspector is new and he is just unbelievable he may tell you no because your yard is so small . Just order a pool online that is not too big and just put it up
by (5.1k points)
@homemaking36648 yes that's what I did last summer. I bought an intex 15' round pool and just put it up. From what I understand is if it can come down each winter and be put back up you don't need a permit. (But I didn't take mine down) Pools that are permanently placed need permits.  
+17 votes
by (2k points)
Go to city first. Look online before you submit application. It is crazy-there are specific things you need. We put our pool in 5 years ago. If you are caught without one-they will make you take it down. It happened to us. Someone called on us-
+15 votes
by (1.9k points)
5ft from property line , 10ft from any overhead wires, yard must have 5ft fence of put pool fence around and must have gfi outlet less than 8ft from filter
+18 votes
by (530 points)
Screw checking for restrictions you'll never get caught
by (2k points)
Please do not listen to Mr Dreani . The restrictions and rules are for your safety !  
by (530 points)
Had a pool for years in des Plaines, never checked restrictions. Never drowned or died
+17 votes
by (940 points)
Just buy a intex pool from Walmart it's cheap and great with filter and ladder
+18 votes
by (2k points)
We did a small Intex pool last year and the kids loved it. But the water never got warm enough, even with the solar heater. We wanted a nice gas heater, since we took a dip in a family members. The only issue we have is a power line that runs right through the middle of the yard. Sounds like the village is pretty strict. We may need to see how fancy of a heater we can put on an Intex pool.  
+16 votes
by (2k points)
Do anyone know if the pool has to be 10 feet from the line itself in the air? Or the pole?  
by (1.5k points)
Ten feet (10’) horizontal distance from any overhead wires. I'd read that as you measure straight down from any point of the line that's going to be in the area of the pool and then you need to be 10 feet from that point, the pole isn't considered, but at they are usually at the back property line, you need to be at least 5 feet from there
by (2k points)
Well we’re screwed then. We are definitely within 10 ft of the wires if measured that way.  
+16 votes
by (8.4k points)
If a professional installs your pool, they will set up the pool to code and they want to see the permit before they start work on it. If someone gets injured in the pool and you don’t have it up to code, then your insurance won’t cover it. The smaller pools that you just throw up and aren’t permanent do not require permits.  
by (1.5k points)
Permits are required for all pools over 24" deep.  
by (8.4k points)
@republicanize73 , awesome
by (2k points)
@republicanize73 really?  
by (1.5k points)
@capitation yes, that's what document says
by (2k points)
@republicanize73 what document is that? We are looking for alternatives to the 54” pool.  
by (2k points)
@republicanize73 thank you!  
+17 votes
by (1.3k points)
Fencing and special ladder is important to keep neighborhood kids from getting into mischief and getting in over their heads literally. Watched my small nephew figure out the ladder while at a family cookout, even though it was in “safety” position. Scared us all half to death! Now they take ladder entirely away when there’s no supervision.  
+16 votes
by (3.7k points)
Look Up Can Not be Under the Overhead wires
by (2k points)
@leotaleotard They said it has to be 10 feet away horizontally.  
by (3.7k points)
That takes up a lot of Possibilities on Placement.  
by (2k points)
I know it. We have room for an 18 foot pool with the 5 foot setbacks front the property lines. But the power lines cut right through the middle of the yard.  
+15 votes
by (1.2k points)
We were so excited to buy a pool and the over head wires ruined everything
by (3.7k points)
Better safe than sorry possibly a smaller pool.  
by (1.2k points)
@leotaleotard the guy from the city of Des plaines said no pools at all not even blow up one
+15 votes
by (5.4k points)
Floodway also has to be considered. Definately work with the city, or they will tell you to take it down. Happened to a friend. City had overhead photos of her property for evidence.  
+18 votes
by (2k points)
Has anyone moved power wires that run to the back of their home?  
by (3.7k points)
I did unfortunately it involves a Lot I worked for the Power Co.  
by (1.5k points)
I looked into it years ago and it was very expensive, we have power lines over a corner of our lot, and while we weren't looking to put in a pool, we wanted to see what would be involved in getting them out of the way and either moving or burying them, but the cost was too much to justify. I don't remember exactly how much, you might reach out to Com Ed and see what they would charge
by (8.4k points)
@capitation , we considered it but it was very costly.  
by (2k points)
Such a shame that we are limited on our own properties due to a dated infrastructure. Lines should really be underground
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