What Size Pool Fits in a Typical London, Ontario Backyard?

One of the first questions homeowners in London ask is whether their backyard is big enough for a pool. The answer is almost always yes. The real question is which size pool fits best.

Pool size is not just about what you want. It is about what your lot allows once you account for property lines, setback rules, patio space, and equipment placement. This article walks through how to figure out what fits in your specific yard.

How big are typical lots in London, Ontario?

Lot sizes across London vary quite a bit depending on the age and location of the neighbourhood. Here is a general sense of what you will find:

Neighbourhood Type	Typical Lot Width	Typical Lot Depth
Newer subdivisions (post-2005)	35 – 42 ft	100 – 110 ft
Mid-era subdivisions (1980s–2000s)	40 – 50 ft	110 – 130 ft
Older neighbourhoods (Byron, Old South, Lambeth)	50 – 70 ft	120 – 150 ft
Rural properties (outskirts, Komoka, Dorchester)	80 ft+	150 ft+

The trend in London, like most Ontario cities, has been toward narrower lots over the past 20 years. That means newer homes often sit closer to the side property lines, which directly affects how wide a pool you can fit.

But lot width is only half the picture. The rear yard depth matters just as much. A lot that is 40 feet wide but 120 feet deep can still accommodate a good-sized pool because there is plenty of room behind the house.

What are the setback requirements for a pool in London?

Before you measure your backyard and start shopping for pools, you need to understand setbacks. A setback is the minimum distance your pool must be from the property line.

In London, Ontario, the general rules are:

• Side yard setback: The pool water's edge must be at least 1.5 metres (about 5 feet) from the side property line
• Rear yard setback: The pool water's edge must be at least 1.5 metres (about 5 feet) from the rear property line
• From the house: The pool typically needs to be at least 1.5 metres from the main building
• Equipment: Pool equipment must also meet setback and noise bylaw requirements

These setbacks apply to the water's edge, not the patio edge. Your patio can extend closer to the property line in most cases, but the pool itself cannot.

Setback requirements can vary depending on your specific zoning. Always confirm with the City of London's building department before finalizing your pool size. Your pool company should handle this as part of the planning process.

Some properties also have easements (areas where the city or a utility has the right to access). Easements can further reduce your usable space. These show up on your property survey.

How do you measure your usable pool space?

Here is a simple way to figure out how much room you actually have for a pool:

1. Get your property survey. This shows your exact lot dimensions and property lines. If you do not have one, the City of London or your lawyer may have a copy from when you bought the house. A new survey costs $1,500 to $2,500
2. Measure your rear yard. From the back wall of your house to the rear property line. This gives you the total depth available
3. Subtract setbacks. Take 5 feet off each side and 5 feet off the rear. If you need space between the pool and the house, subtract that too (usually 5 to 8 feet)
4. Subtract patio space. You need at least 4 feet of patio on each side of the pool for walking, and more where you want seating areas
5. Subtract equipment space. The pump, filter, and heater pad needs roughly 4 by 6 feet, usually along the side of the house or at the back

What is left after all those subtractions is your maximum pool footprint.

A worked example

Say you have a lot that is 42 feet wide and your rear yard (from the back of the house to the property line) is 45 feet deep.

Measurement	Width	Depth
Total rear yard	42 ft	45 ft
Minus side setbacks (5 ft each side)	-10 ft	—
Minus rear setback	—	-5 ft
Minus space from house	—	-8 ft
Minus patio (4 ft each side, 6 ft at deep end)	-8 ft	-10 ft
Usable pool space	24 ft	22 ft

In this example, a 12x22, 12x24, or 14x20 pool would fit well. A 16x32 pool would not. This is a typical calculation for a mid-sized London lot.

What fiberglass pool sizes are available?

Fiberglass pools come in pre-manufactured sizes. Unlike concrete pools, you cannot order a custom dimension. But the range of available sizes is broad enough that most homeowners find something that fits their yard and their needs.

Category	Typical Dimensions	Water Area	Best For
Small	10x20 to 12x24 ft	200 – 288 sq ft	Tight lots, cooling off, kids
Medium	12x24 to 14x30 ft	288 – 420 sq ft	Most London backyards
Large	16x32 ft and up	500+ sq ft	Wider lots, lap swimming, entertaining

The dimensions listed are the outer dimensions of the pool shell. The actual swim area inside is slightly smaller due to the pool walls. A pool listed as 14x30 feet has a swim area of roughly 12.5 by 28 feet.

What fits in a small backyard (10x20 to 12x24)?

Small pools are more popular than many people expect. A 10x20 or 12x24 pool provides plenty of room for wading, cooling off on hot days, and kids playing. You will not be doing laps, but that is not what most families use a pool for anyway.

A small pool works well on lots that are 35 to 40 feet wide, which covers a large portion of London's newer subdivisions. After setbacks and patio space, a 10x20 to 12x24 pool often fits comfortably without making the yard feel cramped.

Advantages of a small pool

• Fits on tighter lots where a larger pool would not work
• Lower cost for the pool shell, excavation, and patio
• Less water to heat, which means lower running costs
• Faster to heat up on warm days
• Leaves more yard space for gardens, play areas, or a shed

The most common small fiberglass pool shapes are rectangular and freeform. Rectangular pools use space more efficiently because there are no curves eating into your patio area. Freeform shapes can look more natural but take up more room relative to their actual swim area.

What about medium-sized pools (12x24 to 14x30)?

Medium pools are the most popular category in London and Southwestern Ontario. A 12x24, 14x28, or 14x30 pool gives you enough room for real swimming, a tanning ledge, and a deep end for jumping in.

For a 14x30 pool, you typically need a rear yard that is at least 25 feet wide (after setbacks) and 42 feet deep (after setbacks and patio space). That puts you in the range of lots that are 40 to 50 feet wide, which covers many neighbourhoods across London.

Why medium pools are the most popular

• Big enough for comfortable swimming by adults
• Room for built-in features like a tanning ledge and bench seating
• Deep end of 5.5 to 6.5 feet for diving (with the right model)
• Still fits on most standard London lots
• Good balance between pool size and remaining yard space

A medium pool paired with a 500 to 600 square foot patio is the configuration we see most often. It gives you a pool for swimming, enough patio for furniture and a dining area, and still leaves some green space in the yard.

What if you have room for a large pool (16x32 and up)?

If your lot is 50 feet wide or more, you have the option of going with a larger fiberglass pool. A 16x32 or 16x36 pool provides a genuine lap-swimming experience and makes a real visual statement in the backyard.

Large pools are more common in older London neighbourhoods like Byron, Lambeth, Old South, and Westmount, where lot widths of 50 to 70 feet are typical. They also fit well on rural properties around Komoka, Dorchester, and Strathroy where lot size is rarely a constraint.

Things to consider with a large pool

• The pool shell costs more (typically $35,000 to $48,000 CAD for the shell alone)
• You need a larger patio to look proportional, which adds cost
• More water means higher heating costs
• Larger pumps and filters are needed
• Crane access for the larger shell needs to be planned

Fiberglass pools top out at about 16 feet wide and 40 feet long. That is a manufacturing and transportation limit. The shells are made in a factory and trucked to your property, so they have to fit on a flatbed trailer and through local streets. If you need something larger than 16x40, concrete is your only option.

How much patio space do you need around the pool?

The patio is not optional. You need a hard surface around the pool for safety, for walking, and for placing furniture. But how much you need depends on how you plan to use the space.

Patio Zone	Minimum Width	Comfortable Width
Walking path (sides)	3 ft	4 – 5 ft
Lounge chair area	6 ft	8 – 10 ft
Dining area	8 ft	10 – 12 ft
Deep end (minimal use)	3 ft	4 ft

Most homeowners want a larger patio on one side (the "living" side where chairs and tables go) and a narrower walkway on the other side. This is a smart use of space, especially on tighter lots.

A common mistake is to make the pool as big as possible and leave almost no patio. The result is a big pool that feels cramped because there is nowhere to sit or put your towel down. A slightly smaller pool with a generous patio almost always feels better than a big pool with a narrow strip of concrete around it.

Where does the equipment go?

Every pool needs an equipment pad for the pump, filter, heater (if you have one), and sanitizer system. The pad is typically 4 by 6 feet and should be on a level concrete base.

The equipment pad needs to be close enough to the pool for the plumbing to work efficiently, but far enough from your patio and your neighbour's property to manage noise. Most municipalities, including London, have noise bylaws that affect where you can place pool equipment.

Common locations for the equipment pad include:

• Along the side of the house, between the house and the fence
• Behind the garage, if the garage is near the pool
• At the far end of the pool, behind a screen or fence section

Plan for the equipment pad early. If you wait until the pool is in the ground, your options for placement may be limited.

How do different London neighbourhoods compare for pool sizing?

Here is a rough guide to what pool sizes tend to work well in different parts of London:

Area	Typical Lot Width	Pool Sizes That Fit
Stoney Creek, Riverbend, Fox Hollow	35 – 40 ft	10x20, 12x24
Hyde Park, Sunningdale	38 – 45 ft	12x24, 14x28
Masonville, Sherwood Forest	45 – 55 ft	14x28, 14x30, 16x32
Byron, Old South, Lambeth	50 – 70 ft	14x30, 16x32, 16x36
Komoka, Dorchester, Strathroy	60 ft+	Any size up to 16x40

These are generalizations. Every lot is different. Corner lots, irregularly shaped lots, and lots with mature trees or slopes all require individual assessment. But this gives you a starting point for what to expect in your area.

How do you choose the right pool size?

Start with what fits, then think about what you actually need. Here are the questions worth asking:

• Who will use it most? If it is mainly for kids and cooling off, a small pool is fine. If adults want to swim laps or exercise, a medium to large pool makes more sense
• How many people at once? A 10x20 pool is comfortable for 3 to 4 people. A 14x30 pool handles 6 to 8 people comfortably. A 16x32 pool can accommodate 10 or more
• Do you want a tanning ledge? Tanning ledges take up 4 to 5 feet of the pool's length. A 10x20 pool with a tanning ledge does not leave much swimming space. A 14x28 pool with a tanning ledge still has plenty of room
• How important is remaining yard space? If you have kids who play soccer in the backyard, or a garden you love, a smaller pool that preserves yard space may be the right call
• What is your budget? A smaller pool costs less in every category: shell, excavation, patio, equipment, chemicals, and heating. The total difference between a small and large pool project is typically $25,000 to $40,000

One thing we have noticed over the years: homeowners almost never regret getting a pool. But some do wish they had left more room for patio space. If you are on the fence between two sizes, going one size smaller and putting the savings into a better patio often leads to a yard you enjoy more.

Can the pool shell physically get to your backyard?

This is something many homeowners do not think about until their pool company brings it up. Fiberglass pools are delivered as one-piece shells on a flatbed truck, then lifted by crane over the house or through a side yard into position.

For the crane to work, there needs to be enough clearance. Overhead power lines, large trees close to the house, and narrow side yards can all create challenges. Most pool companies do a site visit specifically to check crane access before quoting a project.

If access is tight, a smaller or narrower pool may be the practical choice regardless of how much room you have in the backyard itself. A pool that is 14 feet wide needs to clear obstacles that a 10-foot-wide pool would pass easily.

Frequently Asked Questions