Because TexAgs knows everything, maybe someone here can help.

I have a very small backyard with a detached third car garage with a porch at the back of my residential lot. There is 16 ft of grass between the back of my house and the sidewalk under the the third car garage porch.

We would like to put in a pool, but I am receiving conflicting information from contractors and city building safety. Some are telling me it has to be at least 5 feet away from the house and the sidewalk, meaning 5 feet on each side, so I could have 6 feet of pool. Building safety is saying that the 5 feet setback is just from my property line and as long as I have an engineer stamped plan they will approve the pool, regardless of distance from the back of my house.

Pool contractors are hesitant to work with me and find an engineer to approve a plan.

Any engineer here know what would be required to put a pool 3 feet away from a house? It would be 8 feet away from the actual third car garage structure, but 1 ft. (coping width) away from the columns supporting the third car garage porch.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

No idea, but my pool is literally 18 inches away from my house in one spot. Was built in the 80's and home foundation is level.

Our city required 3 feet for a permit. I think they upped it to 4 after we built. Don't know why, but the answer depends on your city's permit office.

Aggieland soils are expansive clay, so local foundation engineers EXPECT any pool (less so fiberglass) to a) leak a bit, b) ergo affect - if not cause a lawsuit - their foundation of ANY type.

So reporting from the pros:
Prof of Construction Science STR Engineer designs required a pool to be at least 15ft away from his foundaitons and if UPhill, then special site conditions must protect/intervene leaks. He did a residential natatorium for us within his foundation on deep piers (ala TAMU Natatorium) but ONLY if it was monolithic fiberglass.

Current foundation engineer guru on a specific design recently that min. clearance was less than above .... mmmm was it 10-12ft?

Ergo, only a local STRUCTURAL engineer can say for sure after deep borings/report and a copy of your Foundation Plan in hand.

The rest of the restrictions I leave to your local Bulding Official, Planning & Zoning, ACC Deed Restrictions as all of these never seem to agree with other commuinities.

It noted that locally, a swimming pool in-ground may invade Utility Easements - at their own risk of destruction during services (they do everything to avoid such). This means crossing Building Lines aka fire separations since they don't seem to burn. However when faces with a ACC/HOA, all reason & sense is in the minds of those who hold power - what say goes or here come the lawyers.

Seaking of which, consult your lawyer about the liability fencing and where it is located as well,

A location would helpful.

I can typically get an engineer's letter in a day or two for this instance. The thought is an engineer needs to sign off if your maximum depth is greater than the distance from all structures. So if you're digging a 6' deep pool and you're less than 6' from water to the structure you need a letter. Same for 5', 7', etc.

Most yards have a 5' setback in most municipalities, sometimes there's a 10' or 15' for utilities along the back of the property (should be shown on plat).

Mind you this is in Fort Worth so it may be different where you are.

Location is Lubbock. Had "the" guy in town out today and I think we have a plan that provides for 5 ft. away from house. Makes the pool 10 inches to a foot narrower than I wanted, but avoids the engineering, etc. Probably the best route, I am thinking. Thanks for all of the information.