Skokie, IL Swimming Pools & Spas: Safety Rules (2026)

Private residential pools in Skokie must comply with the building code barrier requirements, National Electrical Code bonding and GFCI protection, and the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, which requires anti-entrapment drain covers on all suction outlets. Pool pumps and circulation systems must meet manufacturer specifications. Water must be maintained to prevent it from becoming a stagnant nuisance or mosquito breeding site; untreated pool water for more than 72 hours can trigger a property maintenance violation. Pool operators should maintain proper chlorine or alternative sanitizer levels. Public pools, including apartment complex pools and HOA pools, are regulated under the Illinois Swimming Facility Act with Cook County Department of Public Health inspections. Skokie does not specifically regulate diving boards on private pools beyond IRC/ISPSC requirements, but insurance carriers frequently have their own requirements. Residents are reminded that supervising children near any body of water is a fundamental safety practice that ordinances alone cannot replace.