A backyard pool is the ultimate summer dream for many families who live in the Ohio or Pennsylvania areas of the United States.
It’s a venue for birthday parties, a quiet morning lap, and decompression time during those humid July afternoons. But that dream can have a side of ‘safety stress’ on mom and dad. How do you build a space that is like a resort but works with little ones running loose?
The secret lies in zoning. Instead of a whole, big ‘pool area’, imagine the backyard as a series of carefully created, wall-less rooms.
If you create a design concept that divides active play from quiet rest and food, you can get the most fun out of your backyard while keeping it safe for everyone.
The Rules
Before you go choosing tile colors and water features, please be aware that there are very specific rules in both Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Here’s a quick comparison example:
Residential swimming pool installers like pool companies in Dauphin County PA are regulated and enforced at the local municipal (city/county) level, though both states adhere to the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) or the International Residential Code (IRC).
But if you take a similarly sized county in Ohio, like Stark County, pool companies have to deal with much more standardized enforcement. This has to do with the Ohio Building Code. So, the requirements, when it comes to pools, are more uniform across the entire state when compared to a state like Pennsylvania.
Owners must obtain local permits and follow specific rules regarding barriers, gates, setbacks, and electrical safety.
General Rules and Ordinances (Ohio and Pennsylvania):
- A fence at least 4 feet high (inground pools require 6 ft in PA)must be placed around the pool to be safe under state law.
- Above-ground pool walls serve as the barrier as long as walls are at least 48 inches high and access ladders/steps can be secured, locked, or removed when not in use.
- The gaps in the fencing must not be more than 4 inches to allow small children to squeeze through.
- Above all, gates should be self-closing and self-latching.
- Only swim when there is a ‘Water Watcher’, a responsible grown-up who can clearly see the water area. There is NO safety feature that can replace a human set of eyes.
- Pools generally cannot be placed in the required front, side, or rear yard setbacks.
- Always consult your own community about this issue because the’ distance from property lines’ local regulations may not always be similar. Hiring an expert who knows the rules can assist you immeasurably in this.
Designing Your Family’s Pool Zones
To transform the backyard into an oasis for family use, you need to think of it as ‘zoning’.
The Active Splash Zone
Safe, contained water play. Sun shelves for toddlers; non-slip textured pavers; zero-entry points; clear sightlines from the house.
In Harrisburg neighborhoods, the popular building trend is the sun shelf. A shallow area (usually 6 to 12 inches deep) where toddlers and parents can all easily get into one another. Be sure to make use of high-friction materials in this region to avoid the ‘slip-and-slide’ effect for the pool’s surface floor.
The Lounge & Supervision Zone
Relaxing with a view. Comfortable seating positioned with 100% visibility of the pool; pergolas or umbrellas for UV protection (from the sun).
The Dry Play & Dining Zone
Meals and ‘no-wet’ play. A patch of turf for lawn games. An outdoor kitchen/dining set placed at least 10-15 feet from the edge of the pool.
The Natural Buffer Zone
The main focus here is privacy and aesthetics. This means you want to go for dense, thorn-free landscaping (e.g., arborvitae), but be sure to avoid high-pollen trees – these will clog your filters, attract bees, plus might cause you allergy-related issues during peak seasons. Avoid high-pollen trees, which clog filters or attract bees.
The Lounge & Supervision Zone
This is the command center. Set up your lounge chairs so that your line of sight isn’t blocked by pillars, tall plants, or the outdoor kitchen. If you’re overseeing, you should always be visible to the bottom of the pool without standing up.
The Dry Play & Dining Zone
To avoid chaos in the pool area, design ‘dry’ zones.
This is the place where the grill and the dining table are. You put the dining area away from the water so children will not run from the table and dive right in before they’ve chewed long enough, or before an adult arrives to supervise.
Safety Should Be Embedded in the Design
Safety should not be a warning that just says, “CAUTION! Slippery When Wet should be integrated into the look of the design:
- Choose materials that provide grip and don’t absorb the heat. Brushed concrete or a textured natural stone sidewalk can help prevent falls in the ‘wet zones’.
- Clutter makes for a tripping hazard. Add feature stone benches that are designed as deck boxes. This enables you to hide floats, goggles, and toys once pool time is over, with walkways left free for ‘dry’ activities.
- Even though a fence is mandatory, take this line a step further by implementing something called a belt and suspenders. Basically, it’s the layered protections around the pool, a fence separating the pool from the house and yard, as well as alarms (door/gate/pool), safety covers (motorized or manual), swim lessons, CPR training, life jackets, and constant adult supervision.
A Small Success Story
A local family in Harrisburg recently used a curved pool design to naturally control those zones.
The ‘inner curve’ provided a wide sun shelf for the kids, and the ‘outer curve’ made room for a separate fire pit. This way, the teenagers could play by the fire while the little ones swam together.
Inside the parents’ field of vision, but just enough from sight for them to have one another, both a sanctuary space, as well as each with their private needs.
Conclusion
Creating a yard that balances ‘fun’ and ‘functional safety’ can be a big task.
Calling on experts who are well-versed in building codes can fit them into your family lifestyle and an amazing outdoor living area.
Whether it be integrating a composite deck that stays cool under very small feet, or creating the patio where it connects from the ‘Splash Zone’ into the ‘Dining Zone’, you’ll be creating the roadmap for a fun, social, and safe haven for the family and everyone who visit
