By Kate Reynolds
Seneca has an ordinance that details fencing requirements around swimming pools. The village board has amended that ordinance to include time limits for the required fencing must be erected after pool installation and before filling the pool with water.
Village Clerk Jennifer Peddicord noted there were issues with residents promptly complying with the fence ordinance.
“We are involved in litigation with a resident who has refused to put a fence around their swimming pool. While our ordinance does require a fence of 5 feet or higher around all pools, there was no mention of a time limit. Now we have an ordinance that clarifies the need for a fence and a time limit to erect it.”
The potential for pool owner liability is a reality, so pool owners need to protect themselves. Illinois law requires residential pools to be surrounded by a fence at least 3.5 feet high. (This regulation does not apply to above-ground pools or hot tubs.) Seneca’s ordinance requires that pool fencing must be five feet or more.