Pool permits in Edwardsville, IL

The City of Edwardsville Department of Public Works handles the whole job: the swimming pool permit, the required fence permit, zoning approval, the electrical inspection, and the other pool inspections. The Fire Department signs off only if a reduced setback from the house is requested.

Permit from

City of Edwardsville

Permit fee

$100 + $20 electrical, $30 fence, $2,500 bond

Pool fence

4 to 6 ft

Permits an inground pool needs in Edwardsville

• Swimming pool permit from City of Edwardsville Department of Public Works. Required for any pool over 24 inches deep or larger than 250 square feet. The packet must include: a bond for damage to city property, the 2-page pool permit application, a boundary survey and pool location map by an Illinois licensed land surveyor, an erosion control plan, and a fence permit application (or a note that an existing fence is in place). Incomplete packets are rejected.
• Fence permit from City of Edwardsville Department of Public Works. All fences require a permit ($30). The pool fence must be 4 to 6 feet tall.
• Electrical permit from City of Edwardsville Department of Public Works. $20 electrical permit on top of the $100 pool permit, per the fee chart. The approved pool permit and drawings must be on site for electrical inspections.
• Surety bond from City of Edwardsville City Clerk. Whoever installs the pool must post a $2,500 surety bond for one year before the permit is issued, covering damage to public property such as sidewalks and curbs.

Pool fence and barrier rules in Edwardsville

• Fence height: Minimum 4 feet, maximum 6 feet above ground level, completely enclosing the pool area. All pools require a fence.
• Gates: Gates, doors and other openings must be 4 to 6 feet tall, self-latching (the application also says self-closing), lockable, and must open outward away from the pool.
• Doors and windows from the house: Any door that opens into the fenced pool area needs a code-compliant alarm.
• Also required: Open areas must be spread evenly through the fence with no gap wider than 4 inches. Metal fences within 5 feet of the pool must be bonded to the equipotential bonding grid. No exposed points on metal fences. The fence must match other fencing on the site.

Pool permit fees in Edwardsville

Swimming pool permit $100.00, plus $20.00 for the electrical permit (fee chart, current as of 5/1/25). Fence permit $30.00. Re-inspection $25.00. A $2,500 one-year surety bond is also required. Fees are paid on approval or when the permit is picked up.

How far a pool must be from property lines

No pools in a front yard. At least 5 feet from side and rear property lines; at least 10 feet from the street-side line on a corner lot. At least 10 feet from the house; this can drop to 5 feet if the Fire Chief finds no effect on bedroom-window or exterior-door emergency exits. At least 10 feet from anything higher than the pool wall, such as a balcony, raised deck or accessory structure. Pool houses and sheds: 5 feet from side and rear lot lines and 10 feet from the pool. Up to 18 feet of clearance in any direction, plus 10 feet horizontally, may be required from overhead electric lines. No accessory structure or fence may be built in an easement.

Inspections

1. Pre-permit job site coordination meeting (property lines and easements staked; pool and fence locations marked)
2. Erosion control inspection before excavation
3. Footing inspection (listed in the Q&A booklet)
4. Electrical bonding and underground electrical
5. Electrical final (access to the electrical service required)
6. Fence final (property lines and easements staked)
7. Final inspection of the pool, fencing and all equipment before anyone swims

Other things to know before you dig

• Nothing may be done before the bond is posted and the permit is issued and paid: no vegetation removal, grading, stockpiling dirt, or digging. Only erosion control and marking of property lines, the pool, the fence, easements and utilities are allowed.
• Before the permit is issued, an on-site meeting is required with the zoning representative and the city electrical inspector, plus the owner, permit holder, installer and electrician. All property corners, lines and easements must be staked, and the pool and fence locations marked.
• Erosion control (usually silt fence along property and easement lines) must pass inspection before any digging, and must stay in place until sod is down or vegetation has grown back. Violations bring a stop-work order.
• Do not fill drainage ways or block storm water along lot lines. Doing so violates the city storm water ordinance.
• Owners are responsible for complying with subdivision covenants. The city permit does not approve pool elevation, site drainage, or covenant compliance.
• Retaining walls need a permit (the Q&A booklet says all retaining walls need one; walls over 4 feet need plans sealed by an Illinois structural engineer).
• Historic districts (LeClaire, St. Louis Street, Downtown) may require a Certificate of Appropriateness.
• Permits expire 1 year from issue, or 6 months after work is suspended or abandoned.
• 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; the city's booklet also lists JULIE at 1-800-892-0123. 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

2021 International Building Code and 2021 International Residential Code (with amendments), adopted January 2023; 2020 National Electrical Code (with amendments); Illinois State Plumbing Code. The city's code list does not include the ISPSC.

Who to contact

• City of Edwardsville Department of Public Works

  Pool and fence permits, zoning review, electrical and site inspections, 618-692-7535

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.

• Fence and Swimming Pool Permit Guidelines (02/2023) (City of Edwardsville Department of Public Works)
• Swimming Pool Permit Application Packet (Rev 06/22) (City of Edwardsville Department of Public Works)
• Single Family Residential Building Permit Questions & Answers (revised 04/08/2026) (City of Edwardsville Public Works Department)
• Public Works Forms & Applications (City of Edwardsville)
• 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)