Do I need a permit for swimming pool or spa in Arlington Heights?
Yes. In Illinois, swimming pool or spa generally requires a permit, and Arlington Heights is no exception.
In-ground and permanent above-ground pools require a permit in most Illinois jurisdictions. The often-quoted exemption for prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep comes from the model residential code, not from Illinois law, so confirm the depth and pool type your jurisdiction actually exempts. Most local codes mandate a compliant safety barrier and electrical bonding before the pool can be used. Arlington Heights requires a building permit and a separate electrical permit for in-ground and above-ground pools, and for hot tubs and spas. Pools must be enclosed by a compliant safety barrier, and spas must have GFCI-protected wiring and a locking safety cover. During construction, a five-foot-high fence is required around the perimeter of the property for an in-ground pool excavation or any dangerous condition to prevent unauthorized access. Pool wiring must be done by a state-licensed electrical contractor. The Village adopts and amends the ICC codes, including the pool and spa barrier requirements. Confirm the current barrier, setback, and equipment details with Building & Life Safety at 847-368-5560 before installation, and call JULIE before you dig.
Documents you may need
- Site plan showing pool location and setbacksrequired
- Barrier/fence and gate detailsrequired
- Electrical bonding and equipment planLikely required
- Pool structure/equipment spec sheetsSometimes required
- Swimming pool permit application (separate packets for above-ground and in-ground pools) through the Village's Civic Access Portalrequired
- Plat of survey showing the pool, required barrier, and equipment location and setbacksrequired
- Separate electrical permit for pool bonding, grounding, and equipment wiringrequired
Possible inspections
- Bonding/electrical inspection
- Barrier/fence inspection
- Final inspection
- Building and barrier inspection by the Building & Life Safety Department
- Electrical bonding, grounding, and equipment inspection
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for swimming pool or spa in Arlington Heights?
- Yes. In Illinois, swimming pool or spa generally requires a permit, and Arlington Heights is no exception. In-ground and permanent above-ground pools require a permit in most Illinois jurisdictions. The often-quoted exemption for prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep comes from the model residential code, not from Illinois law, so confirm the depth and pool type your jurisdiction actually exempts. Most local codes mandate a compliant safety barrier and electrical bonding before the pool can be used. Arlington Heights requires a building permit and a separate electrical permit for in-ground and above-ground pools, and for hot tubs and spas. Pools must be enclosed by a compliant safety barrier, and spas must have GFCI-protected wiring and a locking safety cover. During construction, a five-foot-high fence is required around the perimeter of the property for an in-ground pool excavation or any dangerous condition to prevent unauthorized access. Pool wiring must be done by a state-licensed electrical contractor. The Village adopts and amends the ICC codes, including the pool and spa barrier requirements. Confirm the current barrier, setback, and equipment details with Building & Life Safety at 847-368-5560 before installation, and call JULIE before you dig.
- Who issues the permit in Arlington Heights?
- The local building department for Arlington Heights handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.