County reminds residents to keep pool safety, permits in mind

WILL COUNTY – Thinking about putting up a pool to splash around in during the hot summer days to come?

Residents in unincorporated Will County need to remember before they start work on either an above-ground or in-ground swimming pool, they need to apply for a permit.

    “The permitting process is to ensure residents’ safety while they are having summer fun,” said Will County Executive Larry Walsh. “We want to make sure pools are put in safely and are secured. Our goal is always to protect our residents, especially children.”

Michael Smetana, Building Division Director and Chief Building Official with the County Land Use Department, agreed, saying the rules are designed to keep both people and property safe.

Smetana said people can apply for permits in person at the Land Use Office, 58 E. Clinton St., through the mail, Fax, email or through the department’s public portal, http://willcountylanduse.com/portal.

All permit applications must include a plat of survey depicting the proposed location of the pool and the manufacturer’s specification for the pool and pool equipment. Cost is $100 for an above-ground pool and $300 for an in-ground pool.

County ordinances require that all pools be set back at least 8 feet from all buildings and at least 5 feet from all property lines.

In-ground swimming pools must be set back at least 25 feet from all portions of the septic system; above-ground pools at least 10 feet.

In addition, both Walsh and Smetana said, a perimeter fence of at least 5 feet must be constructed around the pool.

    “Then there are inspections,” Smetana said. “There are two inspections with an above-ground pool and up to five with an in-ground pool. We want to make sure that pools are constructed properly.”

Last year, there were 71 pool permits issued to unincorporated residents, Smetana said.

The Land Use Department is under County Executive Walsh’s office and is led by Director Curt Paddock.