The Average Minimum Pool Depth

National Depth Standard

• The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Spa and Pool Institute (NSPI) have a joint standard regulating minimum pool depths. ANSI/NSPI-5 2003 is the American national standard governing residential in-ground swimming pool minimum depths. According to ANSI/NSPI-5 2033, residential in-ground swimming pools must have a minimum depth of 2 feet, 9 inches (33 inches).

Municipal Codes

• Many states and municipalities also have swimming pool codes that mandate minimum pool depths. For example, the city of Edina, Minnesota says that what it calls "temporary above ground swimming pools" must be at least 24 inches deep. Residential in-ground swimming pools in Edina, Minnesota, also have a minimum depth requirement of at least 3 feet (36 inches). In the absence of any municipal swimming pool building code pool builders almost always follow the ANSI/NSPI standards for pool building.

Average Pool Depths

• Above ground swimming pools are typically of uniform depth. Most above ground swimming pools are 36 inches, 48 inches or 52 inches deep. An article published at the Realty Times website says that the average above ground pool is 48 inches deep. (See References #5) In-ground swimming pools are mainly variable depth, meaning they go from shallow to deep. The PoolInfo.com "Ask the Poolman" website says that in-ground swimming pools average 5 feet in depth.

Considerations

• Even insurance companies demand certain depth requirements when it comes to in-ground swimming pools. Wading areas of an in-ground pool can't exceed 36 inches (3 feet), for instance, while shallow swimming areas run from 36 inches up to just less than 60 inches (5 feet). A pool area that's 60 inches or more in depth is considered a deep swimming area. (See References #3) Lastly, never dive into above ground pools no matter their depth or into in-ground pools except off of properly located diving boards.