Pool permits in Belleville, IL

The City of Belleville Health, Housing & Building Department reviews and issues the building permit for a residential pool and does the inspections. Under city code the Building Official also enforces zoning, so one office handles both.

Permit from

City of Belleville

Permit fee

$100

Pool fence

4 ft minimum

Permits an inground pool needs in Belleville

• Building permit (general City of Belleville building permit application; no pool-specific application is posted) from City of Belleville. Applications can be emailed to building@belleville.net. Attach a site plan drawn to scale showing the lot, all existing and proposed structures, and front, side and rear yard dimensions. The permit is void if work does not start, with at least one inspection recorded, within 6 months of issue.
• Electrical permit from City of Belleville. Separate electrical permit application posted on the department page. The city's pool handout reproduces NEC Article 680 pool wiring and bonding rules.

Pool fence and barrier rules in Belleville

• Fence height: City zoning: pools more than two feet deep must be enclosed by a wall or fence at least 4 feet high, with a gate at the opening (City Code § 162.398). The city's 2006 IBC handout: top of barrier at least 48 inches above grade, measured on the side away from the pool.
• Gates: From the city's 2006 IBC Section 3109 handout: pedestrian gates open outward away from the pool, are self-closing and self-latching, and can take a lock. If the latch release is less than 54 inches above the bottom of the gate, it must be on the pool side at least 3 inches below the top, with no opening over 0.5 inch within 18 inches of the release.
• Doors and windows from the house: From the city's 2006 IBC handout: where the house wall is part of the barrier, doors with direct access to the pool need a UL 2017 listed audible alarm, or the pool needs a power safety cover meeting ASTM F 1346, or other approved protection that is at least as safe.
• Also required: From the city's 2006 IBC handout: no more than 2 inches between grade and the bottom of the barrier; openings must not let a 4-inch sphere through; chain link mesh no larger than 2.25 inches square unless slatted; barriers must be placed so nearby structures or equipment cannot be used to climb them. The handout's text lets a pool with a power safety cover (ASTM F 1346) skip the residential barrier rules.

Pool permit fees in Belleville

$100 building permit fee for installing a swimming pool (City Code § 150.32(J)). Fees must be paid before the permit is issued. Starting work without a permit doubles the fee (§ 150.32(H)).

How far a pool must be from property lines

No swimming pool may be in a front yard (City Code § 162.398(A)). Side and rear setbacks for pools were not found.

Inspections

1. Per the building permit application, notify the inspector before pouring footings, at foundation before backfill, at rough framing, and at final. Pool-specific inspection steps are not published.

Other things to know before you dig

• The building permit application says to verify zoning with the city (618-233-6810 ext 1251) before any work starts, in case a variance is needed.
• Temporary erosion control is required during construction and permanent measures must be kept up afterward (building permit application).
• Work in a historic district also needs a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission (City Code § 150.32(O)).
• Illinois state law (220 ILCS 50/4): anyone excavating, homeowners included, must notify JULIE at least 2 and no more than 10 days before digging, not counting weekends, holidays or the day of the call. Pre-mark the dig area. Call 811 or (800) 892-0123. Source: Illinois General Assembly, 220 ILCS 50.
• The Illinois Department of Public Health's swimming facility permit does not apply to a backyard pool. The Illinois Swimming Facility Act excludes pools at private single-family residences used only by the owner and guests (210 ILCS 125/3.01). Source: Illinois General Assembly, 210 ILCS 125.

Codes in use

2006 International Building Code and 2006 International Residential Code (City Code § 150.01); 2014 National Electrical Code with amendments, per the department page. The city's posted pool regulations handout reproduces 2006 IBC Section 3109 (pool enclosures). No adoption of the ISPSC was found.

Who to contact

• City of Belleville Health, Housing & Building Department

  Building permit, zoning enforcement, inspections, 618-233-6817

• City of Belleville Economic Development, Planning & Zoning

  Zoning verification and variances (the building permit application says to call 618-233-6810 ext 1251 to check zoning before starting), 618-233-6810 ext 1251

Sources

Checked against these official sources in October 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the permit office before you sign a contract or break ground.

• Health, Housing & Building (City of Belleville)
• Swimming Pool and Spa Regulations (scanned excerpts: 2006 IBC Section 3109, NEC Article 680) (City of Belleville)
• Building Permit Application (City of Belleville)
• Code of Ordinances, Ch. 150 Building Code (§ 150.01 adoption) (American Legal Publishing (City of Belleville Code))
• Code of Ordinances, Ch. 150 Conditions, Permits and Fees (§ 150.32 building permit fees) (American Legal Publishing (City of Belleville Code))
• Code of Ordinances, § 162.398 Swimming Pools (American Legal Publishing (City of Belleville Code))
• 220 ILCS 50/4, Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act (Illinois General Assembly)
• 210 ILCS 125/3.01, Swimming Facility Act (swimming pool definition) (Illinois General Assembly)

Pool permits nearby in St. Clair County

• O'Fallon, IL