Racine County, WI Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)
Swimming pool permit rules in Racine County, WI, also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations, set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.
Key Facts
- Exempt threshold
- above-ground pool <120 days
- Permanent/in-ground pools
- need a zoning permit
- Permit decision time
- 30 days (Sec. 20-82)
- Void permits
- if issued in conflict (20-84)
- Coverage
- unincorporated towns adopting county zoning
Summary
Racine County requires a zoning permit for any permanent residential swimming pool; only temporary above-ground pools erected less than 120 consecutive days skip the permit under the county zoning ordinance's accessory-structure rules.
any detached accessory structure less than thirty-six (36) square feet in area is exempt from the requirement for obtaining a zoning permit. In addition, any temporary, seasonal outdoor above-ground swimming pool, hot tub, or whirlpool bath that does not remain erected on the same lot for more than one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days is exempt from the requirement for obtaining a zoning permit.
(b) Detached accessory structures shall not be closer than ten (10) feet to the principal structure; not closer than three (3) feet to a side or rear lot line if ≤ seven hundred twenty (720) square feet in footprint area or five (5) feet to a side or rear lot line if > seven hundred twenty (720) square feet in footprint area; not closer than five (5) feet to an alley line; shall not exceed seventeen (17) feet in building height; and are permitted in the rear and side yards only, except as follows:
(1) Within the shoreland area, accessory structures are permitted in the street yard portion of waterfront lots provided that they are not placed within the required minimum street yard setback.
(2) For lots with multiple street yards and no defined rear yard area, accessory structures are permitted in the street yard portion of the secondary or non-access street provided that they are not placed within the minimum required street yard setback.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 20-1115(a) of the county zoning ordinance, accessory structures under 36 square feet skip a zoning permit, and the same exemption extends to a temporary, seasonal outdoor above-ground swimming pool, hot tub, or whirlpool that isn't kept erected on the same lot more than 120 consecutive days. Any pool erected longer than that, or an in-ground pool, needs a zoning permit from the zoning administrator, plus compliance with the accessory-structure setback and shoreland rules near Lake Michigan or the Fox River chain. This applies in unincorporated towns that have adopted county zoning, not inside the City of Racine or the county's incorporated villages.
Violations & Fines
Building or keeping a permanent pool without a required zoning permit is a violation; the zoning administrator can order removal, and any permit issued in conflict with the chapter is void under Sec. 20-84.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Racine County require a permit for an above-ground pool?
Does this county pool rule apply inside the City of Racine?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Racine County
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