How to Get a Swimming Pool Structure Drawing

The weather’s heating up, and you have grand ambitions to add an in-ground swimming pool to your property this summer. Of course, you already know this is going to require more work than just digging a pit and filling it with water, but you might not know exactly how to get started with this particular renovation project.

As with any major home building project, you’re going to need a building or construction permit from your city before you can add a swimming pool. And to get a building permit, you’ll have to present a site plan of your property.

Your swimming pool site plan will need to include:

• A to-scale representation of the swimming pool you plan to add, so make sure you’ve decided on the dimensions and the shape ahead of time.
• Any existing buildings on your property, e.g. your house, shed, garage, or any other man-made structures
• Location and height of any fences on your property. Some cities actually have a minimum fence height requirement if you’re building a pool, so make sure that you’re up to code.
• Property boundaries and any easements

Ordering Your Swimming Pool Structure Drawing

Instead of trying to draw up a swimming pool structure plan yourself, the easiest thing you can do is order a copy of your property’s site plan and add the swimming pool to scale. Or, if you already have a swimming pool and are just planning to make changes, you can order a site plan and mark the intended changes on the swimming pool.

You may be able to get a copy of your home’s site plan from your county government or find a copy in your closing documents, but if you can’t find one there or the site plan is no longer up to date, the easiest and quickest thing you can do is order one from MySitePlan. We’ll use satellite imagery to create your site plan and get it to you within two working days, so you can get your project underway and enjoy spending time in your very own swimming pool. 

10 Best Plants to Surround Your Swimming Pool

Once you’ve added an in-ground pool to your backyard, it’s time to enjoy the water… and think about how you’re going to landscape around your pool, of course. While visual appeal is going to be an important factor when choosing plants to surround your pool, there are several other things you need to think about.

You don’t want to end up with plants that are going to shed leaves, petals, or spikes directly into the pool, forcing you to clean the pool more frequently than you should have to. You also don’t want to choose plants like oak or elm trees, because their invasive roots can damage your new pool, its surrounding area, and its plumbing system. And please—no spiky plants like cacti anywhere near a space where people are going to be in swimsuits and walking around barefoot!

The plants that you use for your landscape will depend in part upon the climate and the space available to you, so be sure to do your research before choosing anything that just won’t thrive in your area (or that will attract unwanted visitors, like bees). Here are 10 plant ideas to get you started.

1. Hibiscus. This tropical flower is commonly associated with Hawaii, appearing in leis and on that ultimate fashion statement, Hawaiian print shirts. Why not create your own backyard Hawaiian resort by planting hibiscus flowers?
2. Bird of Paradise. Named because of its resemblance to a colorful bird in flight, this plant offers a great way to add some variety to your pool landscape.
3. Honeysuckle. This pretty twining vine is sweetly scented and can be trained up a fence surrounding your pool, giving you more privacy without compromising aesthetics.
4. Japanese blood grass. If you’re looking for an ornamental grass that will contrast nicely with your placid pool, try a border of Japanese blood grass. It can grow to be about 18” tall, and in the summer the tops of its sword-shaped leaves turn red.
5. Heavenly bamboo. Another option for people who want some red in their landscape, this rust red plant (which isn’t actually bamboo) works nicely to create a border or screen around your pool.
6. Papyrus. Growing up to 16 feet with bright stems bursting from the top in a firework-like pattern, papyrus is a good choice for a background plant.
7. Daylily. Daylilies come in many different colors and styles, giving homeowners a lot of room for creativity when including them in landscaping. Daylilies take little maintenance, can typically stand up to drought conditions, and do well in most climates.
8. Fortnight lilies. Fortnight lilies get their name because they produce several rounds of colorful flowers each summer. They are usually white, yellow, or pink and can survive drought or grow in water, making them another good low maintenance choice.
9. Queen Palm. If you want a plant that can provide a bit of shade without dropping tons of debris into your pool, try the Queen Palm. Keep in mind that this palm grows quickly and can reach a height of 49 feet, so make sure you have room in your yard before planting it.
10. Agapanthus. Sometimes called the African Lily, this flower comes in shades of blue, purple, white, and pink and has petals that make it resemble a trumpet. They’re a fairly hardly plant and thrive in well-drained, sunny positions.

Before undertaking any major landscaping around your pool, remember to get a site plan so that you have a good sense of where all your new plants will go.