How much space do you REALLY have for a swimming pool?

Before you can realize your dreams of an in ground pool in your backyard there is an important first step you must take.  Locate and take a good look at your plat of survey to determine just how much usable space you really have in your backyard.  The vastness of your lawn can be deciving, and space may be more limited than you think.  Make sure to keep the following things in mind when planning your in ground pool project:

Rear Easements:  In many cases the rear portion of a property has an easement that runs along the back of the lot.  This easement can be anywhere from 5 to 20 feet, and no permanent structures can be built in this area.  Various utilities such as electric, telephone, and cable companies can use this easement to run underground wires for services.  Take a look at your plat of survey to identify and locate the rear easement line.

Side Easements:  Similar to rear easements, side easements can be used by utility companies to run wiring through your backyard.  Your plat of survey will typically indicate these easements with a dashed line running parallel to the property lines and may be labeled with the abbreviation U.E. (utility easement).

Floodplain:  This is a flat area near a river, stream, pond, or lake that provides water retention in the case of a flood.  Although not always indicated on a plat of survey,  this is an important area to be aware of when planning your swimming pool design and placement.  As a general rule, no permanent structures can be built within a floodplain without significant engineering work to redirect any flood water that might otherwise accumulate in the area.

Distance from Residence:  Many people don’t realize that your pool needs to be located a minimum distance from your home.  Some municipalities require a specfic distance to the house- others specify a minimum amount of decking around the pool area.  Either way, keep in mind that the pool placement will need to conform to local building codes and minimum distances.  Contact your local building department for specifics on where the pool can and can’t be located in relation to your home.

As you can see there are many factors to consider when planning a pool.  The first and most important thing to do is locate a scaled copy of your plat of survey.  It is important that the plat is to scale so that new structures such as the pool, decking and patio can be shown with the same proportions as the rest of the property.  When meeting with a pool designer it will be extremely helpful to have this document available and the sales person can help determine the best location for your new in ground pool.  If you have any questions about specific pool location, plat of survey, or to schedule a sales appointment, please contact us or call us directly at 630.845.1145.