“How big should my pool be?” is one of the first questions every Utah homeowner asks. Here’s the practical sizing guide based on yard, family, and use.
Standard Pool Sizes by Use Case
Plunge / Cocktail Pool
Footprint: 8’×16′ to 10’×20′
Depth: 4-5′ uniform
Best for: Cooling off, conversation, small yards (Avenues, Sugar House, tight Lehi lots)
Cost (fiberglass): $50,000 – $80,000
Standard Family Pool
Footprint: 14’×28′ to 16’×32′
Depth: 3.5′ shallow / 5-6′ deep end
Best for: Most Utah families. Room for swimming + lounging.
Cost: $65,000 – $130,000 depending on type
Larger Family Pool
Footprint: 18’×36′ to 20’×40′
Depth: 3.5′ / 6-8′
Best for: Larger yards, families with multiple kids, entertaining
Cost: $85,000 – $180,000
Lap Pool
Footprint: 8’×40′ or 10’×50’+ (length matters most)
Depth: 4-5′ uniform
Best for: Serious swimmers, narrow yards
Cost: $90,000 – $180,000
Premium Custom (Park City / Foothills)
Footprint: 25’×50’+ with attached spa, vanishing edge, multiple zones
Depth: Variable, often 3′ shelf / 8-10′ deep
Best for: Estate properties
Cost: $250,000 – $1M+
How to Decide
How many people will use it at once? Each swimmer needs ~50 sq ft of water surface.
Will you swim laps? Need 30’+ length minimum.
Diving? Need 8’+ depth in the deep end (most family pools no longer have diving boards).
Tanning shelf? Adds 4-6′ to one end, 9-12″ deep.
Attached spa? Adds ~6’×6′ to one end.
Yard Setbacks (Utah)
Pool needs typically 3-10′ from property lines (varies by city), 3-5′ from house, plus deck space. So your “available yard” is your lot minus those buffers.
Quick Math
For a 14×28 family pool, you need roughly 22’×40′ of clear backyard (pool + deck + setbacks). Smaller yards still work — fiberglass plunge pools fit in surprisingly tight spaces.