A new residential pool in Las Vegas is capped at 600 square feet of surface area, and that counts the spa and water features too. What it means for you depends on whether you are buying a home that already has a pool or planning to add one.
What the limit says
The Southern Nevada Water Authority approved a resolution in July 2022 supporting a 600 square foot surface area limit on new residential pools. The Las Vegas Valley Water District and local jurisdictions followed with rule and code changes.
The water district’s service rules apply the 600 square feet to the pool, spa, and water features combined, on permits pulled after September 1, 2022, as reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Why the limit exists
It comes down to water lost to evaporation. SNWA figures a typical Southern Nevada pool, about 470 square feet, can lose as much as 22,842 gallons a year that way, and it says a pool cover cuts that loss by about 90 percent.
SNWA also said the limit is aimed at the biggest pools, the top 25 percent of new ones. A typical pool here is already under the cap.
If you are buying a home that has a pool
The limit is written for new pools. A pool that is already in the backyard is a different question from one that would be built today.
What it does change is how you read a big pool in a listing. It may be larger than what could be permitted now, so if you ever want to rebuild or reshape it, ask the local building department how the current rules apply before you count on it.
If you want to add a pool later
Start with the cap. The pool, the spa, and any water feature have to fit inside 600 square feet together, and your lot and permit are separate questions.
A licensed pool contractor and your local building department can tell you what fits on a specific property.
What to ask before you make an offer
- Was the pool built with a permit, and can that permit be found?
- How big is the pool, counting the spa and any water feature?
- Is there a cover, and does it work?
- What did last summer’s water and power bills look like?
- Has anyone had the pool inspected?
Simple summary
New residential pools in Las Vegas are capped at 600 square feet of combined surface area, a limit aimed at water lost to evaporation. If the home already has a pool, ask the questions above. If you want to add one, check the cap first and then talk to a licensed pool contractor.
If you want to see Las Vegas homes with pools that match what you are looking for, you can browse them here: See Las Vegas Pool Homes