Swimming Pools & Spas in Springfield, IL (2026)
5 verified swimming pools & spas rules for Springfield, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pool Permits
A building permit and site plan are required for every Springfield swimming pool and its fence, and a setback inspection must be completed before the pool permit is issued. Permit review can take up to 14 days, and no work may begin until the application is approved.
Building permit, site plan & setback inspection
Some RestrictionsCity of Springfield, Department of Building & Zoning, Notice Regarding Swimming Pool Installations (rev. 7-7-17), items 14 and 5
When applying for a building permit for the swimming pool and fence, a site plan must be submitted showing how far the pool is away from the property lines, overhead electrical wires, buildings, and any other structures on the lot. If a new fence is to be erected, the site plan must show the fence line, and how far from the property line adjoining the street the fence will be. ... The review of...
Fencing Requirements
Every Springfield swimming pool capable of holding water deeper than 24 inches must be surrounded by a minimum 48-inch-high barrier with no more than a 2-inch gap at grade and openings that will not pass a 4-inch sphere. Pedestrian gates must open outward, be self-closing, and self-latching.
48 in. barrier required; self-latching gates
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Springfield, Department of Building & Zoning, Notice Regarding Swimming Pool Installations (rev. 7-7-17), items 7-8
All swimming pools that are capable of holding a depth of water greater than 24" must be surrounded by a minimum 48" high fence or other barrier, constructed as follows: The top of the barrier shall be not less than 48" above grade measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool. The vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be not greater t...
Safety Rules
Where a dwelling wall serves as part of the pool barrier, doors with direct pool access must have a UL 2017 audible alarm. Suction outlets must meet ANSI/APSP-7 anti-entrapment standards, all pool metal must be bonded, and receptacles within 20 feet must be GFCI-protected.
Door alarms, GFCI bonding & anti-entrapment drains
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Springfield, Department of Building & Zoning, Notice Regarding Swimming Pool Installations (rev. 7-7-17), items 9, 11-12
Where a wall of a dwelling serves as part of the barrier, doors with direct access to the pool through that wall shall be equipped with an alarm that produces an audible warning when the door and/or its screen, if present, are opened. The alarm shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2017. The deactivation switch shall be located 54" or more above the threshold of the door. ... To aid...
Above-Ground Pools
When an above-ground pool structure (or a barrier mounted on it) is the barrier and access is by ladder or steps, the ladder must be removable, securable, or surrounded by a compliant barrier. Illinois exempts above-ground pools 42 inches or taller from the state enclosure mandate.
Above-ground pool ladder & barrier rules
Some RestrictionsCity of Springfield, Department of Building & Zoning, Notice Regarding Swimming Pool Installations (rev. 7-7-17), item 10
Where an aboveground pool structure is used as a barrier or where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, and the means of access is a ladder or steps, then the ladder or steps either shall be capable of being secured or locked to prevent access, or the ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier which meets the requirements of #6 above. Where the ladder or steps are secured o...
Hot Tub Rules
No Springfield-specific ordinance separately regulates hot tubs or jacuzzis. Illinois' Private Swimming Pool Enclosure Act expressly excludes jacuzzis from its 'swimming pool' definition, so the state perimeter-barrier mandate does not apply to them, though general permit, electrical, and entrapment rules still govern installation.
Jacuzzis exempt from IL pool enclosure mandate
Few RestrictionsIllinois Private Swimming Pool Enclosure Act (HB2495, 104th General Assembly), Section 5
Section 5. Definition. As used in this Act, "swimming pool" means an outdoor artificial basin of water that is constructed, modified, improved, or installed in or above the ground of private residential property for the purpose of swimming or wading and that has a depth of more than 24 inches covering more than 25 square feet or that has a capacity of more than 200 gallons of water. "Swimming p...
Looking for Sangamon County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Springfield city rules.
Swimming Pools & Spas in Sangamon County →