logo

Residential Inground Swimming Pools

Applicable Codes:
2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
2024 International Residential Code
2023 National Electrical Code

Please submit the following information:

  1. Type 1 Grading Plan, signed and sealed by Illinois Registered Engineer or Land Surveyor, to include:
    1. Line diagram of electrical service, gas line (if applicable), and location of equipment, including dimensions.
  2. Construction and installation methods. Plans should include:
    1. Cross-section of the proposed construction that includes all dimensions, materials, features, and elements of construction.
    2. Plan view of the proposed installation that included all dimensions, materials, features, and location of underground piping installations.
    3. Bonding plan that indicates the bonding wire size, burial depth, points of connection to any pool metal feature, equipment, structural members, pool water, and any other items.
    4. Electrical plan that indicates all electrical features (GFCI) receptacles, underground electrical installations (including piping, wire sizes, type, and burial depth), and equipment.
    5. Electrical service panel schedule indicating existing and new circuits.
    6. Electrical load calculation, including proposed new loads.
    7. Electrical line diagram on Plat of Survey or site plan, depicting electrical supply in relation to pool.
    8. Barrier detail that indicates the height, spacing of vertical and horizontal members, construction materials, and specifications for self-closing / self-latching gates.
  3. Installation Manual(s) for all mechanical equipment
  4. Information for all proposed pool features that are to be installed, i.e., diving board, slide, waterfalls, spa, etc.

Significant Code Requirements

  1. The pool is required to be surrounded by a proper fencing/barrier that surrounds the pool perimeter. The barrier must be a minimum of 48” above grade (extending 3’ horizontally outside the barrier wall), openings in the barrier cannot allow the passage of a 4” diameter sphere, shall not be “climbable” structure as per code, and comply with all other applicable provisions of this section. 2024 ISPSC 305
  2. Any gates within a fence that is to be used as the required barrier shall be equipped to be self-closing and self-latching. Gate latching mechanisms must be situated as per code. If the release mechanism is below 54” from grade, then it shall be located on the pool side of the gate at least 3” below the top of the gate. The gate and barrier shall have no openings greater than ½” within 18” of the mechanism. 2024 ISPSC 305.3
  3. All 125-volt receptacles within 20 feet of the inside wall of the pool shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter (please indicate on the plan). 2024 IRC E4203.1.4
  4. Receptacles that provide power for water-pump motors or other loads directly related to the circulation and sanitation system shall be located at least 6 feet from the inside walls of the pools, outdoor spas, and hot tubs. These receptacles shall have GFCI protection and be of the grounding type. 2024 IRC E4203.1.1

Electrical Bonding

  1. The conductive pool shell must be bonded as required per code. The encapsulated structural reinforcing steel shall be bonded together by steel wire ties or the equivalent. 2023 NEC Article 680.26 (B)(1)
  2. Where structural reinforcing steel is encapsulated in a nonconductive compound (vinyl liners and fiberglass composite shells), then a copper conductor grid must be supplied. The copper conductor grid shall comply with the following:
    1. Be constructed of a minimum of 8 AWG bare solid copper conductors bonded to each other at all points of crossing;
    2. Conform to the contour of the pool;
    3. Be arranged in a 12” x 12” network of conductors in a uniformly spaced perpendicular grid pattern with a tolerance of 4”;
    4. Be secured within or under the pool no more than 6” from the outer contour of the pool. 2023 NEC Article 680.26 (B)(1)
  3. All metallic parts of the pool structure shall be bonded per code. NEC Article 680.26(B)(3)
  4. Metal fences located within 5’-0” of the pool must be bonded as required per code.
    2023 NEC Article 680.26(B)(7)
  5. Where none of the bonded parts are in direct contact with the pool water, the pool water shall be in direct contact with an approved corrosion-resistant conductive surface that exposes not less than 9 square inches of surface area to the pool water at all times. The conductive surface shall be located where it is not exposed to physical damage or dislodgement during normal use of the pool, and it shall be bonded in accordance with 680.26(B). 2023 NEC Article 680.26B(7)(C)

To apply for a permit

Maintstar - h2.maintstar.co/wheaton/portal/#/

Contractor Registration Requirements

Webpage - www.wheaton.il.us/890/Contractor-Registration-Requirements

Websites

Contact Us

City of Wheaton Building & Code Enforcement Department
Address: 303 W. Wesley Street, Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone Calls:
Questions regarding this information: 630-260-2050
Planning & Zoning Department - 630-260-2080
Engineering Department - 630-260-2868
Fax: 630-260-2195

Business hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

6/2/2025