DIXON – The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of the swimming season. Some jurisdictions will be checking to see that residential pools meet safety rules.
Many cities and counties have regulations that aim to keep small children from going into pools unattended.
Lee County, for instance, requires that swimming pools have 5-foot fences surrounding them, with lockable gates. That requirement doesn’t apply to above-ground pools that are at least 3 feet tall. That’s because smaller children can’t climb into taller pools.
For those pools in which fences aren’t required, ladders must be removed when the pools aren’t in use. That’s to keep children from getting in.
Whiteside County has no such rules.
Chris Henkel, Lee County’s zoning administrator, said he has seen two or three instances of above-ground pools that aren’t 3 feet tall all the way around. He plans to issue notices of violation.
“We will have to go out and measure and see if they are the right height,” he said. “The whole reason we want to do this is to keep kids safe. We’re issuing more pool permits than we’ve ever had.”
Dixon enacted its rules years ago. It requires 4-foot fences around pools with more than 2 feet of water. Fences must not be climbable. Exempted are above-ground pools with walls 4 feet or higher. The same ladder rule applies.
Building official Paul Shiaras said his office has given notices of violation for pools, but never has issued tickets and taken someone to court.
“We’ve had to chastise people who are repeat offenders with the ladders,” he said. “This year, we’ll definitely ticket if we see that condition out there.”
He noted that above-ground pools have become increasingly popular, especially those sold at Walmart.
“These Walmart pools pop up daily. You can’t keep up with them. They are cheap, accessible and easy to set up,” he said.
In Sterling, all private residential pools must be enclosed by 6-foot fences. Gates must be self-latching.
In Rock Falls, swimming pools must have 4-foot fences, with self-latching gates. Temporary soft-sided pools are exempt from the requirement.
Here are the enclosure requirements for pools in the Sauk Valley's major jurisdictions:
Lee County
5-foot fence required for pools. Above-ground pools at least 3 feet high are exempt. Ladders must be secured or removed when not in use. Gates must be lockable.
Whiteside County
No rules
Dixon
4-foot fences required for pools. Above-ground pools at least 4 feet high are exempt. Ladders must be secured or removed when not in use. Gates must be self-latching.
Rock Falls
4-foot fences required for pools. Temporary soft-sided pools are exempt. Gates must be self-latching.
Sterling
6-foot fences required for pools. Gates must be self-latching.