The specific distance you’ll need to keep between your house and any waterworks like a pond depends on local regulations and building codes. Many areas have no specific regulations, but others require set backs of anywhere from 50 to 300 feet. These rules are generally based on local soil and rainfall conditions. Setting a pond closer than the recommended or regulated limits is likely to result in damage when the water overtops the banks. Even if you’re not working with any specific guidelines from your zoning department or permit office, consider leaving a barrier of at least 50 to 100 feet between your home and a small pond. If the pond holds more than 1,000 gallons, increase the distance two or three fold and add some berms to redirect water away from the home.
A release of even a small amount of water from a large pond can damage your home in multiple ways. Flooding is the most direct risk, but even water that looks like it has soaked into the ground harmlessly can undermine your home’s foundation. Foundation shifting and cracking is even more expensive and difficult to fix than water exposure. Keeping a pond a little further away may give you less of a view from your windows, but it could protect your home in a storm.
