Making a swimming pool project involves following several safety rules. These standards are essential to prevent accidents and ensure a secure environment for everyone. It is necessary to install approved safety devices such as barriers, blankets, alarms or shelters, respecting regulatory distances from surrounding buildings. Once these equipments are in place, their regular maintenance is crucial to ensure their continuous operation. Sometimes checks may be carried out to verify compliance with these obligations, and sanctions may be applied in cases of non-compliance. We will therefore discuss the steps to be taken to comply with these legal requirements and ensure the safety of your swimming pool.
Contents
Criteria for a pisciable land
This section details the different criteria to consider in determining whether a plot can accommodate a swimming pool.
Consult the Local Urban Plan (PLU)
Your municipality's LRP is essential to verify local planning rules and whether your land is in a building area or not. This document indicates whether your land is located in an area A (agricultural), AU (urbanizing), N (natural) or U (urban). Knowing the zoning of your land is fundamental to planning your pool project. Some areas may require specific approaches such as a request for exemption. In case of doubt, it is often useful to consult a consulting architect.
Know the nature of the soil
The nature of the land (clay, sand, rocky, etc.) plays a key role in the feasibility of building the pool. Stable and well drained soil is essential to avoid structural cracks and deformations. Soil studies may be required to analyze the composition and stability of the field. Among the most common types of soil: clay soil may be a problem, perhaps due to its potential for swelling and withdrawal; sandy soil is generally more favourable but requires good density to support the structure; Finally, a rocky soil is very stable but can make the earthworks more expensive and complicated. A specialist geotechnician or study office can help you evaluate these elements. This is often recommended.
Analyse the slope of the terrain
A lot with a large slope can complicate the construction of your pool. Solutions exist to adapt the pool to these conditions, such as the construction of retaining walls or the integration of different levels into the pool design. That said, this will lead to an increase in construction costs. On flat ground, the costs and complexity of the work will be reduced. A slight slope will require some adjustments, such as partial levelling. The steep slopes, on the other hand, involve larger civil engineering works and increased costs, often.
The necessary administrative procedures
Find out what legal steps to take to get permission to build a swimming pool on your property.
Obtain a prior declaration of work
For swimming pools between 10 m2 and 100 m2, a prior declaration is indispensable. This declaration must be filed in the town hall and the investigation period is about one month. The prior declaration allows the town hall to check whether your project complies, as it seems, with the urban planning rules in force. It is important to prepare a complete file including plans, a project description and a specific Cerfa form. Sometimes the declaration of work can be followed by a DT-DICT, depending on the nature of the work envisaged.
When to apply for a building permit
Pools with a pool of over 100 m2 require a building permit. This request must be made in the town hall and the investigation period is two months. The building permit is an administrative document that ensures that your project complies with local and national regulations. It is important to provide all the elements requested in the file, such as detailed drawings, a descriptive notice and photographs of the terrain. A right of appeal for neighbours may also be considered in the event of a dispute.
Special cases requiring special authorisation
For land in protected areas or near a historic monument, special permission may be required. These lands are subject to specific regulations to preserve the heritage and the environment. Ask the competent authorities, such as the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (DRAC) or the town planning department of your town hall, to find out the steps to be taken. Depending on the nature of the protection, additional documents and expert consultations may be required. In protected areas such as Natura 2000 or classified sites, the environmental acceptability of the project is rigorously assessed, often.
Safety standards to be met
Ensure the safety around your pool in accordance with the legal standards in force.
Install an approved safety device
The buried swimming pools must be equipped with at least one safety device to prevent accidents, particularly drownings. Possible options include:
- A protective barrier that fully surrounds the pool.
- A safety blanket, also called a tarpaulin, which prevents access to water.
- An audible alarm that triggers in case of a fall into the water.
- A pool shelter, or veranda, that covers the entire pool.
These devices must be approved and conform to French standards (NF P90-306 for barriers, NF P90-308 for covers, NF P90-307 for alarms and NF P90-309 for shelters).
Respect distances from nearby buildings
The swimming pool must be at a minimum distance from nearby buildings and property boundaries. These distances are often specified in your municipality's Local Urban Plan (PLU). They are probably designed to preserve the tranquillity of the neighbours and avoid any inconvenience. It is recommended that you consult the LRP before starting work to find out the exact distances and any additional constraints.
Obligation to maintain safety devices
Safety equipment must be maintained regularly to ensure its proper functioning. A defective barrier can not only represent a danger but can also lead to sanctions. Some good practices to adopt: regularly check the proper condition of barriers and fences, test the alarm system, make sure that the security cover is in order and that it can be properly closed, and maintain pool shelters, including opening and closing systems.
Controls may be carried out by the competent authorities and fines may be imposed in the event of breach of security obligations.
Updated on 6 August 2025
