This year, I made a promise to finally have a swimming pool in my garden before the arrival of the summer period. And even if I only have a few weeks left before summer, I do not despair that the development of the basin will be completed on time.
Before talking about the criteria for choosing your designer swimming pool, I will first devote a few lines to the steps to be taken in the event of the installation of an inground pool on your property. Indeed, this type of work is very much regulated by the Town Planning Code, which is not the case with above-ground models. So, before planning or committing to anything, I strongly advise you to check with your town hall.
In some cases, obtaining a building permit is mandatory, while in others, a simple declaration of work is sufficient. Thus, if there is non-compliance with the legislation, the owner of the premises incurs a very heavy fine which can range from 35,000 to 75,000 euros. However, outdoor pools with an area less than or equal to 10 square meters whose shelter does not exceed 1.80 m in height are exempt from authorization.
The same will apply to indoor swimming pools provided that no modification has been made to the structure or even to the surface of the house. About me, since my place of residence is in a protected area, I was not exempt from authorization. However, my pool project was well below the authorized 10 square meters. So, as I was going to undertake the administrative procedures, I decided to opt for a larger pool.
The dimensions of the swimming pool are between 10 and 100 square meters? So, its development will require a request for prior declaration of work. In addition, the pool should not be covered by a pool shelter. However, if a fixed or retractable shelter is fitted, the height of this device will not exceed 1.80 meters from the ground.
Otherwise, concerning the prior declaration form, the document can be freely obtained from the municipality. And once it has been completed, the owner can send it by registered letter accompanied by an acknowledgment of receipt, or drop it off by hand. I opted for the second solution. It was also an opportunity for me to inform myself precisely at the town planning department about the constraints to be respected when building a swimming pool. And luckily I got informed, because to my great surprise, the Town Hall imposed the color of the pool frame on me.
Now, if the pool exceeds 100 square meters and approaches 200 square meters, a building permit is essential. A small file will then have to be compiled with documents to be attached such as the location plan of the land, the ground plan of the buildings or a photograph locating the land. My advice is to do it months in advance, because it takes 1 to 2 months before knowing the decision of the Town Hall.
