Mendota Heights' Rules Regarding Permits For Backyard Swimming Pools

Press release from the City of Mendota Heights:

June 5, 2020

With the recent “shelter-in-place” rules and Mendota Heights’ residents looking to provide added outdoor activities for their families, the City of Mendota Heights has noticed an increase of new swimming pool requests or installations throughout the city.

Please know that a swimming pool is defined by the city as: “Any structure, chamber, or tank containing an artificial body of water for swimming, diving, relaxation, or recreational use including special purpose pools and wading pools, having a water surface area exceeding one hundred (100) square feet and a water depth greater than eighteen inches (18") at any point.”

A building permit is required prior to the installation of any new permanent, in-ground swimming pool. A temporary above-ground type swimming pool that can be disassembled or moved after seasonal use does not need a building permit, but does require an above-ground swimming pool zoning permit. If you plan to build a permanent deck or platform around an above-ground pool, this will require a building permit.

Any application for a swimming pool permit must include the following:

Site Plan. A plan indicating the size, type and location of the pool; location of existing house, fencing and other improvements on the lot; location of filter unit, pump, and wiring indicating the type of such units; location of structures on adjacent lots; location of backflush and drainage outlets; grading plan; finished elevations and final treatment (decking, landscaping, etc.) around pool; location of existing overhead or underground wiring, utility easements, trees and similar features; location of any water heating unit.

Pools must be at least 10' from any rear or side yard lot line, and at least 10' from the principal structure (dwelling). The filter unit, pump, heating unit and any other noisemaking mechanical equipment must be at least 25' from any adjacent residential structure and not closer than 8' to any lot line. Pools are not allowed within the front yard area, except for small kiddie or pet pools.

Fence Plan. The pool area, either the back yard or the pool structure itself, must be enclosed with fencing at least 5’ to 6’ in height. Fences must have self-closing and self-latching gate(s), with provisions for locking. For above-ground pools, the city will allow such pools to have a fence on top of the upper edge of the pool, provided the 5’-6’ enclosure is met from the bottom of the pool to the top of the fence, and any access gate or ladder can be removed or locked to prevent access. Automatic or self-placed pool covers are not allowed as a substitute for fencing.

For more information search for “Swimming Pools” in the City Code location under the tab City Government. Building and/or Zoning Permit applications can also be found on the city’s website.

This press release was produced by the City of Mendota Heights. The views expressed here are the author’s own.