How Much Space Between House And Pool? [In-Ground And Above-Ground]

If you’re thinking about building a pool, you probably have a few questions about how much space you should have between your house and your pool. Well, we've pulled together all the answers you need from professional pool installers to get started.

The national standard is 10 feet away from your neighbor's house perimeter wall and at least 3 feet from yours. You want to leave an appropriate amount of space between the house and pool for safety purposes like ensuring electrical wires are not splashed with water, which can cause electrocution.

In this article, you will learn the importance of having adequate space between your house and your pool. You will also learn how to estimate the distance between your house and your pool. It is very important to know the right spacing before starting the process of building a pool so read on!

How Much Space Is Ideal Between House and Pool?

Regardless if you have an in-ground pool or an above-ground pool, the national standard distance between your pool and the house wall is 10 feet.

However, your local government may have a different rule that specifies the minimum distance between the pool and the house wall.

This distance ensures that your pool won't interfere with the electrical lines that may be running along with your or your neighbor's property.

How Close Can a Pool Be To a House in Florida

In Florida, a pool is a permitted accessory use under the following circumstances: the distance from the outside wall of the pool to the nearest side lot line or rear lot line or building shall exceed 5 feet but not exceed 10 feet from any side.

How Close Can a Pool Be To a House in New York

When in New York City, you must check your city's building codes before planning to build one. To ensure that you're not encroaching your neighbor's property, it must be located at least 5 feet from any property line, unless the property is less than 25 feet wide.

How Close Can a Pool Be To a House in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, measuring the distance of your pool from all property lines is simply equal to the depth of your pool in feet.

How Close Can a Pool Be To a House in Texas

In Texas, pools are required to have a minimum distance of 3 feet from properties with foundations. Additional distance may be required, depending on the depth of the pool. Basically, it's 1 foot added distance for every foot of depth.

How Close Can a Pool Be To a House in California

In California, the distance of the pool from the property line is equal to or less than the depth of excavation. It's quite similar to Texas code, but without requiring a base distance of 3 feet in the equation.

Why Space Is Important Between House and Pool

While many people assume that a house and a pool are perfectly matched, it can actually be detrimental to the structural integrity of your house to build a pool some few inches next to it.

This is due to the fact that water has a tendency to seep into any space where there is a lack of solid ground and may cause water corrosion to most housing materials over time.

You must have a specific amount of space between the house and the pool. You might want to call this space a buffer zone.

Water can also become a tripping hazard if a safe distance is not observed. You don't want to be tiptoeing as you go outside of your house knowing there is pool water on the floor. This is a safety hazard and not a good sight to behold especially if you have kids at home.

Your Pool Size Determines the Space Between Your Pool and House

When it comes to having a pool, the space you have to work with will depend on a few different factors. If you are planning to have a diving board, a deck, or other items around the pool, you’ll have to make sure you have enough space to work with.

It's important to have enough space around the pool so that people don't feel confined. In addition to this, a walkway and decking area is necessary to keep the area safe and prevent slips and falls.

Watch this video for pool size and structure ideas despite a limited backyard space:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bEZ0d1cq4ZU

Where to Place Your Pool

Your pool's placement is one of the most important decisions you'll make when building a pool. You need to make sure that the pool is properly placed in relation to the surrounding areas. The pool should be located in a place where it doesn't create a risk for accidents.

Ideally, your pool must be placed in a spot that is not close to power lines or any other potentially dangerous areas. You should also ensure that the pool is located away from trees and shrubs.

Leaves are usually where caterpillars hang out and you definitely don't want to share the pool with these tiny creatures. It's an awful experience to have a caterpillar falling right into your face as you emerge from the water.

In addition, sunlight can be a good thing but it can also cause the water in your pool to evaporate faster. You must avoid placing your pool in a place that gets too much sunlight.

Sunlight also can cause the growth of algae, which means you may have to clean your pool more often than you should.

Choosing the Right Kind of Soil

The ground where you want your pool to be built should be freed from existing moisture before waterproofing and sealing it. This will help prevent the pool from becoming too shallow or too deep.

You can get a good idea of the soil type by looking at the ground. If the ground is soft and sandy, then you will need to use a concrete slab. If the ground is rocky, then you will need to use a cement base.

You should also check the soil for the presence of weeds. Weeds can cause a lot of problems. They can choke your pool pump's airflow and they can also attract insects and other pests.

If you notice any weeds growing near your pool, you should remove them immediately.

Talk to Your Neighbors

Nothing is worse than a pool that is not properly located or that causes problems. It can be very frustrating when you are trying to enjoy your pool and you have to deal with a salty neighbor.

Before you decide on the location of your pool, you should talk with your neighbors to see what they think. You can ask them if they have any issues with the pool or if they have any concerns about it.

It is important to get the support of your neighbors before you start building a pool.

Check out this Intex above-ground pool with metal frames on Amazon

Things to Consider Before Building a Pool in Your Backyard

If you are considering having a pool in your backyard, you should first keep in mind these factors that will help you decide whether or not it is the right decision for you.

1. Cost

The cost of building a swimming pool can be quite expensive, but if you have the money, then you should definitely consider it. You can spend thousands of dollars on your pool and still end up with a poor-looking pool that doesn’t last long.

If you want your pool to look great, then you should invest in a good contractor.

2. Maintenance

Maintenance can be quite a headache for homeowners with pools. If you don’t do a proper maintenance schedule, you may end up spending all your time and energy maintaining your pool.

For example, if you don’t clean the filter of your pool, then it will clog up over time and you will have to spend lots of money on cleaning the pool.

3. Privacy

You should make sure that your backyard has plenty of privacy when you are building a pool. You can do this by making sure the fences surrounding your house are tall and thick, with no gaps or small holes where outsiders can peek in.

This will ensure that you don’t have to worry about anyone invading your privacy when you are relaxing in your pool. You don't want prying eyes feasting on your poolside activities.

Can a Pool Cause Foundation Problems?

The soil beneath your pool is affected by a number of factors, including moisture and water drainage. Your soil profile should be evaluated at the time of installation to identify any underlying problems, such as poor drainage or soil compaction.

Your pool's foundation should be inspected every year to ensure that it is stable and free from major defects. A professional inspection and assessment should be conducted before you begin building a swimming pool.

Final Thoughts

We hope this post helps you to understand how much space there should be between a house and a pool. There are many factors to consider in this decision, but once you've taken the time to learn each of them properly, you'll be able to enjoy a relaxing backyard environment that is both safe, fun, and comfortable. Good luck!