5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Hamilton County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
A backyard pool needs a building (Improvement Location) permit from your city, not the county. In Carmel a residential swimming pool permit costs $362.00 plus $0.11 per square foot, plus inspections. Fishers, Noblesville and Westfield issue their own permits.
Carmel UDO Building Permit Fee Schedule
Swimming Pool, Residential $362.00 plus $0.11 per sq. ft.; plus inspections
Carmel requires a barrier at least four (4) feet high completely surrounding a residential pool and deck, broken only by self-closing, self-latching gates that can be locked. Public and community pools must meet the taller state six-foot enclosure rule.
Carmel UDO 5.02(C)(7)(c)(i)
Walls or fencing deemed by the enforcing authority to be impenetrable, that is not less than four (4) feet high completely surrounding the swimming pool and the deck area with exception of self-closing and latching gates and doors, both capable of being locked
Besides a four-foot barrier, Carmel lets you use an approved safety pool cover: it must connect continuously to the deck, be key-operated, and support a 400-pound load. All Hamilton County cities enforce Indiana's pool-safety barrier standards.
Carmel UDO 5.02(C)(7)(c)(iv)
A safety pool cover may be used provided that: There is a continuous connection between the cover and the deck, so as to prohibit access to the pool when the cover is completely drawn over the pool; ... It is capable of supporting a 400 pound imposed load upon a completely drawn cover
Carmel treats above-ground and in-ground pools alike: a swimming pool, hot tub, or its deck or equipment must sit at least 10 feet from side and rear lot lines and 3 feet from any easement, plus meet the four-foot barrier rule.
Carmel UDO 5.02(C)(7)(a)
A swimming pool, hot tub, or its deck or equipment shall be set back a minimum of the greater of the following: Ten (10) feet from the Side Lot Line and Rear Lot Line, or Be three (3) feet from any Easement.
Carmel regulates hot tubs and spas exactly like pools: same 10-foot setback, and a barrier or safety cover. A hot tub cover complying with the Indiana swimming pool code, 675 IAC 14-4.3-296, satisfies the barrier requirement.
Carmel UDO 5.02(C)(7)(c)(iv)[6]
Or that it is in compliance with the Indiana swimming pool code, 675 IAC 14-4.3-296, as amended.
1 cities in Hamilton County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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