Deciding to build a pool on your land is a great idea. But be careful, however, to find out about the regulations in force, in particular those which govern the limit of ownership and the protection of third parties. The rules must imperatively be respected so as not to have unpleasant surprises. This is what we will see without delay.
Building a swimming pool: respect for neighbors
You do not place your swimming pool just anywhere since the regulations in force impose rules that must be strictly followed, particularly in terms of the location of swimming pools. This makes it possible to respect the tranquility of its neighbors because a busy swimming pool generates noise. The regulations also ensure that visual disturbances are limited. Respecting it allows you to bathe in complete privacy but above all not to annoy your neighbors who could have a view of the swimming pool because of its location.
It is therefore best for all that the swimming pool is out of sight and does not cause noise pollution. It must be admitted that a swimming pool generates noise which is not to everyone’s taste (cries of swimmers, diving, filtration system pump running at night, during the day, etc.) and some neighbors may complain of the visual discomfort caused. These are situations that may disrupt the life of a third party who is entitled to invoke his position as victim. Beware of complaints filed for abnormal disturbance of the neighborhood or for abuse of rights!
Swimming pool construction: what does the law say?
The rule imposed therefore allows a private swimming pool not to face the neighborhood and is also sufficiently far from the public road.
This is why before building your pool, it is essential to find out about your rights and obligations. For example, the Town Planning Code, through article R. 111-6, imposes in the out-of-town areas :
- A distance of 25 meters between the swimming pool and the nearest national and/or departmental road.
- A distance of 40 meters between the swimming pool and the nearest highway.
However, the owner of the land planning the installation of a swimming pool must imperatively inquire beforehand with the town hall of your municipality. Indeed, the rules change regularly, and in addition they vary according to whether one lives in an urban area or a rural area, in agglomeration or outside agglomeration, in a classified site or not, etc.
Swimming pool at the property limit and legal distances
With regard to the swimming pool at the edge of the property, legal distances are also imposed and we must not depart from the rule because any offender to regulations can be severely punished. In this specific case, it is article R. 111-9 of the Town Planning Code that applies and it concerns both the above ground pool that inground swimming pool and the swimming pool semi-buried.
Thereby, a distance of at least 3 meters must be respected between the edge of the pool on the property line and the fence between the land and the neighbour’s property.
But you also have to check with your town hall because the local rules may vary from one municipality to another, PLU (Local Urbanism Plan) and POS (Land Occupancy Plan) require… In some cases, these local rules are more severe than those of the Town Planning Code, and in other cases it is the reverse. But in the event of a dispute, it is always the strictest regulations which is authentic. It is better to know this before carrying out your swimming pool project.
Swimming pool at the edge of the property and regulations: what about copings and beaches?
When we talk about a swimming pool, this includes a whole environment since in the majority of cases we are not satisfied with the swimming pool but everyone wants to create a pleasant and decorative space by paying particular attention to the aesthetics of the surroundings of their swimming pool. Curbstone, beach with solarium, swimming pool terrace… In some cases, it is necessary to raise these amenities while in other cases they can be created at the same level as the ground as long as its configuration allows it. This is a detail that counts in terms of regulations. Therefore, it is essential to take into consideration the following:
- Curbstone, pool terrace and raised beach : the altitude of the surroundings is taken into account to calculate the installation distances of the swimming pool. In this type of situation, the distance to be respected is calculated from the edge of the terrace to the neighbour’s fence.
- Edge, swimming pool terrace, beach are at the same level as the pool (they are therefore not raised above the ground): the distance to be respected between the neighbour’s fence and these different pool elements is calculated from the edge of the terrace.
These distances imposed by the National Town Planning Regulations must imperatively be respected, but it must be admitted that there is a subtlety in this area that not everyone always perceives. This is why it is better refer to the town hall as well as a swimming pool construction professional (swimming pools) because an error is quickly made and it can be very expensive for the owner of the land with a swimming pool.
People who wish to install a swimming pool in their garden are often advised to also opt for a high shelter. This is an option that allows you to enjoy the pleasures of swimming and the benefits of swimming in summer and winter and which moreover brings a added value to the property. The high shelter is an excellent solution to cut short many disputes since in addition to visually hide the bathing place, protected also the neighborhood against noise pollution. Be that as it may, if the configuration and size of the land allow it, it is highly preferable to locate your swimming pool in another place rather than on the property line.