Best Backyard Pool Location: Sunlight, Space & Codes

When planning a backyard pool, many homeowners focus on designs, materials, and features, but overlook one of the most crucial decisions - where to place it. The location of your pool affects everything from how much you'll enjoy using it to how much maintenance it will require. Picking the right spot can make the difference between a pool that becomes the heart of your outdoor living space and one that sits unused.

The best location for a backyard pool is a spot that gets 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily, is at least 10 feet away from your home's foundation, avoids utility lines and trees, complies with local setback requirements, and offers some privacy while still being visible from the house for safety reasons. Finding this ideal location requires careful consideration of your property's specific characteristics and local building codes.

Your pool will likely be part of your landscape for decades, so taking the time to carefully consider its placement now will save you from regrets later. This guide will walk you through all the factors you need to consider - from practical concerns like sunlight and drainage to aesthetic considerations like views and privacy - to help you find the perfect spot for your backyard oasis.

Understanding Your Yard's Natural Features

Before you choose where to put your pool, you must first understand the land where you live. Just as our ancestors carefully chose places for villages near water and food, you must look at what your yard offers.

Look at the shape of your land. Is it flat or does it slope? Flat land makes building easier and costs less. If your land slopes, you may need to level it first, which costs more money. Sometimes a slope can be good if the pool builder uses it in the design.

Notice where the sun travels across your yard. A good pool spot gets sun for most of the day. This makes the water warmer and more pleasant to swim in. Watch your yard at different times to see where sun stays longest. Remember that trees that are small now will grow bigger and may block sun later.

Pay attention to wind patterns too. Too much wind cools the water and blows debris into the pool. A spot with some wind block from trees, fences, or your house is good. But don't block all wind, as a little breeze helps water chemicals mix well.

Best Sun Exposure for Your Pool

The sun is a gift that warms your pool water. Without enough sun, your pool will stay cold and you may not want to swim in it.

A pool should get at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Morning sun is good because it starts warming the water early. Afternoon sun keeps it warm into the evening when many families like to swim.

Watch how shadows move across your yard during different seasons. In summer, the sun is high and shadows are short. In spring and fall, the sun is lower and shadows are longer. Make sure your chosen spot gets good sun even in these times if you want to swim in cooler months.

If you live where it gets very hot, some afternoon shade might be good. This gives swimmers a break from strong sun and helps keep water from getting too warm in the hottest part of summer.

Keeping Away From Trees and Structures

Trees near pools can cause big problems. Their roots can grow under the pool and damage it. Their leaves fall in the water and make more cleaning work for you. And if a branch breaks in a storm, it could hit and harm your pool.

Keep your pool at least 10-15 feet away from any big trees. For very large trees with wide-spreading roots, you may need even more space. If you must put your pool near trees, talk to a tree expert about root barriers.

Your pool should also be at least 10 feet away from your house foundation. Building too close can cause water damage to your home if the pool leaks. It also makes it harder for workers to get around the pool for maintenance.

Other structures to keep away from include:

• Septic tanks and fields

• Underground utility lines

• Property lines (check local rules)

• Overhead power lines

Following Local Building Codes

Every place has its own rules about pools, just as each tribe has its own customs. These rules are made to keep people safe and respect neighbors.

Setback requirements tell how far your pool must be from property lines, your house, and other structures. These distances can be different on each side of your yard. Some places require pools to be in back yards only, not side yards.

Many places have fence laws that say you must put a fence around your pool. The rules often tell how tall the fence must be and what kind of gate it needs. This keeps children and animals from falling in when no one is watching.

Some areas have rules about how much of your yard can be covered by structures, including your pool. This is called lot coverage. Check if your yard has room for a pool while following these rules.

Always check with your local building department before making final plans. Getting a permit takes time, so start this step early.

Considering Privacy and Views

When you swim, you want to feel free and at peace. Having neighbors able to see into your pool area can take away from this feeling.

Look for spots in your yard that have natural privacy. This could be areas blocked by shrubs, trees that don't drop many leaves, or parts of your home. If no such spot exists, think about where you could add privacy features like a fence, wall, or tall plants.

At the same time, think about what you will see when in the pool. A view of your garden, a sunset, or natural landscapes can make swimming more enjoyable. Try to place your pool where swimmers can see something beautiful.

Avoid placing your pool where it will be in full view of the street or a neighbor's window. This gives you more privacy and also makes your pool less of a temptation for neighborhood children who might try to swim without permission.

Safety Considerations for Pool Placement

The safety of your family and visitors should be a top concern when choosing where to put your pool. Water demands respect, as our ancestors knew well.

Place the pool where adults inside the house can easily see it through windows. This helps you keep watch over swimmers, especially children. Pools hidden from view are more dangerous because help might not come quickly if needed.

Make sure there is a clear path from your house to the pool without trip hazards. In case of emergency, people need to move quickly and safely between the house and pool.

Consider how close the pool will be to your outdoor cooking area. Having a grill too close to a pool can be dangerous, as people moving between cooking and swimming might slip or bring dangerous items near the water.

If you have young children or grandchildren who visit, you might want the pool farther from the house with secure fencing between. This adds an extra layer of protection for curious little ones.

Practical Factors: Access and Utilities

Building a pool requires big machines to dig the hole. These machines need a way to reach your chosen spot.

Measure the access paths to your yard. Are gates, passages between houses, or other spaces wide enough for equipment? If not, you might need to remove fencing or pay extra for special equipment or even crane lifting, which costs much more.

Think about where water and electric lines will need to reach. Your pool needs both to work properly. Putting your pool closer to existing utility connections can save money on installation costs.

Consider where the filter and pump will go. These make noise and aren't pretty to look at. They should be somewhat hidden but still easy to reach for maintenance. They can be up to 50 feet from the pool, but closer is usually better for the system to work well.

Remember that you'll need to backwash your filter sometimes, which releases water. This water needs somewhere to go that won't flood your yard or your neighbor's property.

Drainage and Water Table Concerns

Water always seeks the lowest point, following the ancient ways of nature. Your pool location must work with water's path, not against it.

Avoid areas where water collects after rain. These low spots show where your yard naturally drains. Putting a pool here could lead to flooding problems during storms.

Check how high the water table is in your area. This is the level where the ground is always filled with water below the surface. If the water table is high, your empty pool might try to float up out of the ground when not filled. Special engineering can solve this, but it adds to the cost.

The ground around your pool should slope gently away from it. This helps rain and splash water move away instead of collecting around the edges. Too steep a slope in your yard can make pool construction harder and more expensive.

Ask neighbors with pools if they've had any water problems. Their experiences can warn you about issues in your area that you might not see right away.

Aesthetics and Overall Yard Design

A pool should feel like it belongs in your yard, like an animal belongs in its natural home. It should fit with the rest of your outdoor space.

Think about the shape and style of your home. A very modern pool might look strange next to a traditional home. The pool's form should complement your house's character.

Consider how the pool will look from inside your home. You will see it every day through your windows, so it should be pleasing to the eye even when not in use.

Plan for areas around the pool for sitting, eating, and relaxing. These gathering spaces need room too. A pool alone isn't enough—people need places to rest between swims and to watch others swim.

If possible, place your pool where it becomes a focal point that brings your yard together. It might be centered on an important window of your house or at the end of a garden path. This makes your whole yard feel planned and harmonious.

Climate Considerations

The weather patterns where you live should affect where you put your pool. Different places have different needs, just as different animals adapt to their environments.

In northern areas where summers are short, maximum sun exposure is important. Place your pool where it gets sun all day to make the most of warm days. Consider adding wind barriers to keep cool breezes from chilling the water too quickly.

In southern areas where heat is strong, some afternoon shade can be helpful. This keeps the water from getting too warm and gives swimmers relief from the sun. But don't block too much sun or your pool will not warm up enough in spring and fall.

If you live where storms are common, think about how strong winds might affect your pool. Places sheltered from the strongest wind direction will collect less debris and suffer less damage in bad weather.

For areas with freezing winters, consider how easy it will be to winterize your pool in its chosen location. You'll need good drainage for water removed from the pool and space to store pool covers and equipment.

Working With Irregular or Sloped Yards

Not all land is flat and open. Many yards have slopes or odd shapes. This is not always bad—it can make your pool area more interesting.

If your yard slopes, you have choices. You can dig into the slope to make the pool level, build up one side with retaining walls, or create a special infinity edge that works with the slope. Each choice has different costs and looks.

For irregular shaped yards, custom pool shapes can fit better than standard rectangles or ovals. A good designer can create a pool that makes the most of unusual spaces.

When working with challenging land, always have a soil test done first. This tells you if your ground is stable enough for a pool and what special work might be needed before building.

Remember that unusual sites often lead to the most beautiful and unique pool areas. Just as a deer finds the perfect hiding spot among rocks and trees, your pool can find the perfect place in your yard's special features.

Maintenance Access Considerations

Every pool needs care to stay clean and work well. When choosing your pool spot, think about how easy it will be to do this care.

Make sure there is enough room to walk all the way around your pool. Workers need to reach all sides for repairs. You need space to clean the edges and use pool tools.

Plan where pool cleaning equipment will be stored. It should be close enough to make maintenance easy but not where it will be an eyesore.

If you'll use a pool cover, think about where it will roll up or be stored when not covering the pool. Some covers need track systems around the pool edge, which need space too.

Remember that pool care isn't just in summer. Year-round access is important for closing the pool in fall and opening it in spring too.

Conclusion

Finding the best spot for your backyard pool takes time and careful thought. By looking at sunlight patterns, keeping away from trees and structures, following local rules, and thinking about both practical needs and how the pool will look, you can find the perfect place.

Remember that the right location for your neighbor's pool might not be right for yours. Each yard has its own spirit and features, just as each person has their own needs and wishes for a pool.

Take time to watch your yard through different times of day. Imagine yourself swimming and relaxing in different spots. Talk with experienced pool builders who have seen many yards and can offer wisdom about what works well.

For residents of Niagara Falls, Ontario and the surrounding Niagara Region, Garden City Pools offers expert guidance in choosing the perfect location for your backyard oasis. With decades of experience in pool construction, installation, and renovation, their team can help you navigate local building codes while finding the ideal spot for your inground or above ground pool. Their bespoke approach ensures your new pool will not only fit perfectly in your yard but also match your lifestyle needs. Contact Garden City Pools today to transform your backyard with a beautiful, perfectly-placed swimming pool that your family will enjoy for years to come.