Swimming Pools & Spas in Des Plaines, IL: What Residents Actually Need to Know
If you live in Des Plaines or are thinking about moving there, swimming pools & spas are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Des Plaines has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of swimming pools & spas, and some of them might surprise you.
Pool Permits
Des Plaines requires a building permit for swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs; the Title 10, Chapter 13 construction fee schedule charges a $500 plan-review fee for an in-ground pool in addition to the standard plan-review fee.
Key details: Permit Required: Yes - building permit for pools/spas/hot tubs. In-ground Pool Fee: $500 plan review (Title 10, Ch. 13). Code Section: Des Plaines City Code Title 10, Ch. 13.
Installing a pool without the required building permit is a code violation; the City may issue stop-work orders, require removal or correction, deny final inspection, and impose ordinance fines through code enforcement.
Fencing & Safety Requirements
Illinois law (65 ILCS 5/11-30-9) empowers the Des Plaines City Council to require fences around, or protective covers over, private residential swimming pools, and the City enforces residential pool barrier requirements through the International Residential Code adopted in Title 10 of the City Code.
Key details: State Authority: 65 ILCS 5/11-30-9. City Code: Des Plaines Title 10, Ch. 2 (IRC + Appendix G). Pending State Min.: 42 in (HB2495, not yet law).
Building-code violations of the adopted IRC barrier provisions are enforced by the Des Plaines Community and Economic Development Department through stop-work orders, permit denial, and ordinance fines until the required barrier is installed.
The Bottom Line
Des Plaines's swimming pools & spas rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Des Plaines is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Des Plaines can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, which shows when its source was last checked.