From the bright lights of Las Vegas to the natural beauty of Cathedral Gorge, Nevada has something for everybody. Whether you live in Sin City proper, in the Vegas outskirts of Henderson, NV or make your home in Reno near Lake Tahoe, one of the best ways to enjoy life in The Battle Born State is lounging poolside. There’s a pool for every lifestyle – from high roller to nature lover. And Latham has decades of experience in helping homeowners build pools that make their backyard dreams a reality.
To help you navigate the waters of owning a pool in Nevada, we’ll give you pool planning tips, as well as information around state and local laws that may inform your choice of pool. Let’s dive in!
Inground Pool Design Considerations for NV
A little planning goes a long way, especially when it comes to a big ticket item like a brand new pool.
During the planning phase, think about how you want to use your pool – and who will use it:
- Do you have young children or teens?
- Will they bring friends over to use the pool?
- Will older family members or individuals with compromised mobility use your pool?
- Does your city or municipality have any restrictions on pool size or water usage? For instance, Southern Nevada (including Las Vegas and Henderson, NV) residents must abide by guidelines that limit the surface area of new swimming pools, spas and water features to no more than 600 square feet per single-family residences.
- Do you plan to use your pool for exercise, relaxation or both?
- Do you plan to use your pool for entertaining? If so, are there any surrounding features you’d like to incorporate to accommodate friends and family, such as a multi-level deck or grilling station?
- Pool safety ensures that everyone can safely enjoy your pool. Features such as an automatic pool cover can help prevent accidents when your pool is unattended. Similarly, multiple entry and exit points can be a thoughtful feature for your pool to accommodate swimmers who may tire easily.
- How much time do you want to devote to pool maintenance? Your pool materials can play a role in the overall look, feel, cost, and maintenance of your pool now and in the future.
Do your homework beforehand and then speak with a licensed independent pool builder. While the experience you want from your pool will be unique to you, seeing what’s possible can help you more clearly visualize the right pool for you. In this guide, you’ll see images of pools we’ve helped build throughout Nevada. These are just a few examples and chatting with a local builder can help you discover even more photos and videos of pools that might not be available in their online portfolio just yet.
Smaller Pools
Good things come in small packages. A smaller pool can make your backyard a true extension of your home. Whether it’s squeezing in laps before or after work or giving you a “watering hole” for friends and family to congregate on weekends, even a small pool can change your lifestyle for the better in a big way.
Due to property constraints and statewide ordinances as part of an effort to reduce water usage, Southern Nevada residents are limited to pools that have a 600 square foot surface area. This also includes the addition of spas or water features as counting towards the 600 square foot total. Although the average pool in Southern Nevada is roughly 475 square feet, this restriction is designed to limit the size and water capacity of new pool builds throughout the region.
Fortunately, there are a number of beautiful, feature-rich compact fiberglass pools in a multitude of shapes that fit the bill. The 10’ x 16’ Milan plunge pool is ideal for lively backyard entertaining or relaxing after a long day. Swim-up seating and beverage benches make the Milan the place to be for sipping a mocktail or cocktail under the blazing Nevada sun, while slip-resistant steps make it accessible for swimmers of all ages.
If you’re looking for a small pool with an abundance of features – and still adheres to Nevada square footage pool regulations – the Axiom 12 Deluxe includes a spillover spa within its 12’ x 26’ layout. This freeform pool features a spacious tanning ledge that can pull double duty as a wading area for kids to play. It also has multiple entry points, making it a great fit for swimmers who tire easily and want to make a smooth exit. Rounding out the reasons to love this deluxe model is ample swim-up seating to give guests space to strike up poolside chats.
Landscaping Considerations for Nevada Pools
Your pool is just one part of your backyard.Tapping into creative landscaping ideas can not only showcase your pool in its best light, but reflect your personality and create the vibe you want for your backyard. Here are a few ideas to get you started!
- Viva Las Lightshow: Pool lights offer a fun and functional way to add an element of Vegas nightlife to your backyard. Colorful LED lights as part of your pool design can bounce off of the surface of your pool, creating a shimmering, color-shifting effect that rivals any marquee on the Vegas strip. Embedding recessed lighting in your deck can also add safety and nighttime visibility, illuminating steps after sundown to help avoid slips and falls.
- Mesh with your surroundings: While the bright lights of Las Vegas and Reno tend to dominate conversation around The Battle Born State, Nevada is home to a variety of natural wonders that offer ample landscaping inspiration. From the stunning red rock formations of the Valley of Fire State Park to the tranquil shores of Lake Tahoe, there’s no shortage of natural inspiration to transform your backyard into a desert oasis. If you crave a touch of plant life that’s compatible with the hot Nevada climate, flowers like Desert Marigold and Mojave Aster, along with hardy shrubs like Apache Plume and Creosote Bush can be options that breathe color and life around your pool. For a striking look that’s easier to maintain, rockscaping can be a way to mimic the look of local rock formations and add a rustic touch.
- A decked-out deck: Maybe you dream of lounging poolside like the Rat Pack. With that in mind, every pool needs a deck to artfully frame your pool and create an inviting space. For a vintage look, opt for eye-catching tile or stamped concrete for the look of luxury for less. Comfortable outdoor furniture is also a must. Go bold with vivid hues of orange, red, and turquoise or bold black and white stripes and geometric prints.
Inground Fiberglass vs. Vinyl Liner Pools: Finding the Best Pool Material for Your Home
Fiberglass and vinyl liner pools are durable, easy to maintain, and offer endless design possibilities for your dream backyard. By contrast, concrete (sometimes called “gunite”) pools require a more labor-intensive approach to routine maintenance. They also require resurfacing every ten years due to becoming rough with age. This rough surface makes them more susceptible to algae bloom, complicating your water chemistry balancing act.
Replacing an older concrete pool with a fiberglass or vinyl liner pool can enhance your pool experience and save money in the long run. Replacing a vinyl liner is also a faster and less expensive process to revive the look of your pool compared to having to resurface a concrete pool.
Take a side-by-side look at fiberglass, vinyl liner and concrete pools to choose the material that works best for you!
Fiberglass Pool Benefits
Fiberglass pools are beloved for their ease of effort to maintain a smooth, crystalline surface. Beyond aesthetic appeal, that smooth surface also makes fiberglass pools less susceptible to algae clinging to pool walls. In water-conscious Nevada, this is an added boon to pool owners, helping maintain proper pH and chemistry, reducing the need to refill.
Learn more about the benefits of fiberglass pools.
Vinyl Liner Pool Benefits
From different sizes and features to colors and patterns, vinyl liner pools offer so many options for creating a customized pool that delivers the experience you want. This makes them a great choice for new pool owners, as well as those looking to replace an older concrete pool. And while vinyl liner pools aren’t as low maintenance as their fiberglass counterparts, their overall value and cost savings over time make the slightly extra effort worthwhile.
While Nevada residents may want to consider how adding splashy water features like slides and fountains may contribute to the state’s 600 square foot maximum surface area allotted to pools, there are plenty of other features that can enhance your pool. Tanning ledges, dazzling LED lights, and even eye-catching fire features and bowls can give you a truly unique pool that puts the “fun” in “functional”!
Learn more about the benefits of vinyl liner pools.
Installing an Inground Pool in Nevada
If you’re planning on installing an inground pool, you likely have questions about the process – including how long your backyard will look like a construction site and, more generally, how it all comes together.
The process differs slightly depending on whether you plan to install a new fiberglass pool or opt for a vinyl liner pool installation. Both require excavation, but it’s often faster to install a fiberglass pool since their high-quality, pre-constructed shells are transported ready-made to be placed in your backyard. Building a vinyl liner pool takes a little more time, as pool walls will need to be constructed to exact specifications based on your design and to work with any property constraints.
Speak with a local independent builder to get started on designing a pool that works with your lifestyle and backyard features!
Nevada Inground Pool Maintenance
Both fiberglass and vinyl liner pools are easy to maintain. Depending on the material you choose, your maintenance routine will differ slightly.
Fiberglass Pool Maintenance
Fiberglass pools have a well-deserved reputation for being easy to maintain. Simply block off a little time each week to skim your pool, empty filter baskets and balance your water chemistry. Once every month, backflush your filtration system to keep your pool running its best.
Learn more about maintaining your fiberglass pool.
Vinyl Liner Pool Maintenance
Vinyl liner pools require slightly more maintenance, but it pays off to the tune of cost savings over time. Give your pool a skimming, empty filter baskets and test your water chemistry on a weekly basis. Give your liner a gentle scrubbing with a soft-bristled to reduce calcium and algae-build up and keep your pool looking fresh. A little scrubbing goes a long way towards helping maintain proper water chemistry.
Check your liner once every month for any small tears and patch them immediately. This can prevent them from growing and leading to larger leaks. Use only soft, liner-friendly pool toys to lessen the risk of accidental punctures or tears. Think: floppy foam pool noodles, bright inflatable rafts and beach balls to amp up the fun without potential harm to your liner.
Learn more about vinyl liner pool maintenance.
Pool Covers
For Nevada pool owners, an automatic pool cover can simplify maintenance and can also help stave off water evaporation. Due to ongoing water shortages and droughts across the Las Vegas Valley and dwindling water levels of Lake Mead, the Southern Nevada Water Authority has a variety of mandatory water conservation measures that can impact pool owners. With that in mind, an autocover can help reduce water evaporation and also help you save between 50% to 70% each year on energy costs, making an autocover a smart move for your wallet and the environment.
While cost and energy savings are an incentive, the most important benefit of automatic pool covers is that they can save lives. Besides serving as an added deterrent against unauthorized guests hopping your fence and attempting to use your pool without your consent, autocovers can help prevent children and pets from accidentally falling into your pool when unattended.
Inground Pool Costs in Nevada
The cost of building a new pool can vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to the size and materials of your pool, as well as any property constraints that can require additional labor.
You’ll also want to consider the cost of add-ons that can help you get even more enjoyment from your pool. Custom features like LED lights, tanning ledges or fire bowls can also figure into your budget. Meanwhile, an add-on like an autocover straddles the line between a practical addition that saves on maintenance and energy costs, but also can yield cost savings over time. You’ll also want to account for necessities like decking, landscaping and fencing that complete the bigger pool picture.
Reasons to Install an Inground Pool in Nevada
Whether you’re fresh off a hot streak on the Vegas Strip or wrapped up a day of hiking in one of Nevada’s many national parks, there’s nothing better than coming home to a beautiful backyard pool to unwind after your adventures. Here are a few more reasons why Nevada residents may want to consider taking the plunge into a brand new pool or renovating an existing pool.
A competitive advantage: In Nevada’s competitive real estate market, a well-maintained pool can significantly enhance the curb appeal and overall value of your property. Many Nevada homebuyers are drawn to properties with pools, viewing them as desirable amenities that add opportunity for recreation without having to leave home.
Year-round enjoyment: Unlike many areas of the country where pools can only be used during a few seasons out of the year, Nevada’s hot climate makes a pool a welcome addition year-round.
Cool down and splash it up: Owning a pool can make your backyard the place to be for friends and family to gather. Because Southern Nevada has strict water conservation guidelines, having a designated spot for friends and family to congregate can make your pool not just the destination for fun, but a great way to share the joy of a pool with others.
Nevada Pool FAQs
Whether you’re thinking about a new pool or planning to renovate an older one, you likely have questions around owning a pool and ensuring it complies with state and local Nevada regulations. Here are some of the most common questions we hear from folks throughout Nevada.
Is installing an inground pool in Nevada a good investment?
A well-maintained pool can increase your home’s resale value between 5% and 8%. Having a ready-built pool can be an attractive proposition for prospective buyers, especially those who don’t want to deal with the hassle of installing one themselves.
But even if you aren’t planning on selling your home anytime soon, the real value of a pool is in the hours of fun, relaxation and togetherness it offers you and your loved ones.
Do you need a permit to build a pool in Nevada?
While Nevada does not specifically require a permit to build a residential pool, state law requires that any residential swimming pool or spa must be built by a professional who is properly licensed by the Nevada State Contractors board.
Depending on where you live in the state, your city or county may require that you have a building permit to construct a pool, as well as obtain the proper permits for any associated electrical or plumbing work for your pool and its components. For instance, Reno, NV in Washoe County requires that applications for a residential pool permit must be accompanied by plan sheets, calculations, and specifications that are drawn by a licensed Nevada design professional, contractor, or builder. Electrical and mechanical plans are also required and plans must meet the district’s structural engineering requirements.
Working with a licensed contractor can help you better understand what permits are required so that your new pool is compliant.
Do you have to have a fence around your pool in Nevada?
Nevada requires that all residential pools must be surrounded by either a fence or barrier at least 48 inches high. However, some municipalities require a 60” fence around a pool.
Some parts of the state, including Clark County – home to Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder Valley, NV – require both perimeter fences that are at least 60 inches high and isolation fencing that separates a pool and/or spa from any doors or windows that lead directly to the pool area. Fences must have self-closing, self-latching gates placed out of reach of small children and gates must swing away from the pool.
Because laws can differ depending on where you live in the state, be sure to visit your local building office to confirm your responsibilities around proper pool fencing. Working with a licensed professional builder can also help you better understand what’s required.
How can I protect my inground pool from damage caused by the sun and extreme heat?
Nevada’s sometimes-scorching climate and hot sun can prematurely bleach your liner if you have a vinyl liner pool. One of the most effective ways to protect your inground pool from heat and sun damage is with an autocover. Making sure your pool is properly covered when not in use can prevent sun damage and also reduce water evaporation and the need to continually rebalance your water chemistry.
How can I reduce water usage and conserve resources with my inground pool?
Using an automatic pool cover when your pool is not in use can you maintain water levels, prevent evaporation and help you conserve water. As an added bonus, autocovers can help reduce energy usage and costs, making them a smart and practical addition to your pool.
What type of pool is best suited for Nevada’s climate?
Both fiberglass and vinyl liner pools are outstanding choices for those considering owning a pool in Nevada. Fiberglass pools have a slight advantage, as their sturdy construction makes them less susceptible to sun damage. Vinyl liner pools are a great fit for those looking for customization potential and cost savings. However, both types of pools offer ease of maintenance as well as a number of styles and sizes to choose from, especially in parts of Nevada that limit pool owners to options smaller than 600 square feet.
Nevada Inground Pool Installation Areas
At Latham, we believe there’s a pool for every backyard and to enhance every lifestyle. We’ve helped build beautiful pools for happy homeowners throughout Las Vegas, including those in:
- Henderson, NV
- Las Vegas, NV
- Reno, NV
- Sparks, NV
Start Building a Pool in Your Nevada Backyard Today
A new pool can transform your backyard into a true extension of your home. Speak with a licensed independent builder today to start making memories in your brand new pool today.
Contact us to learn more.
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