Seriously...

[miguynmkoi]

I know there are lots of folks out there with ponds in their front yards.  Do you enclose the area for safety (idiots out there & I do live in Suetown)?  Have you experienced problems from animals including the 2 legged variety?

I live in a typical suburbia home on a short street.  My front yard is elevated above the street and I would like to place an in ground pond closer to the house away from public view.  Size-wise it will be small and for lilies and small mosquito eating fish (feeder gf maybe).

Seriously thinking about this venture - backyard running out of available pond space 

[Mikey]

I think you are wise to consider the legal aspects of putting a pond in your front yard.  Ponds are considered an "attractive nuisance" in Orange County.  This may not be the case in all states.  "Attractive nuisance" means it may attract kids and may result in their drowning, thus making it an attractive nuisance.  To protect yourself against such liability I suggest making it shallow enough for small kids to easily get out.  I also wouldn't put it right up front where it can be easily seen. 

Your local building code, if like mine in the same county as you, likely uses pool codes for ponds.  In my case, if I recall correctly local code defined any body of water over 700 gallons and/or over 18" deep as a pool.  Any pool had to be protected with a 6' high wall or fence with self-closing hardware on the gates.  There were other restrictions as well.  All this to say to keep it shallow and small if you have it out front where kids can have access.

[LeeAnne151]

I have small ponds in my front yard right up next to the house. I have had problems with loose dogs but not children. The ponds are all smaller than a bathtub.

[miguynmkoi]

Thanks Mike.  You're handy to have around!  You made up my mind.  NO pond out front.  I know I will worry about stupid people more than anything else.  Our HOA (Home Owners Association) doesn't allow fence or walls period in the front of the house.  Which means people are allowed to let their pets poop on my property - sorry had to let that one out.

A shallow pond would be nice too but who knows, not gonna take that chance. 

Oh well c'est la vie. 

[Mikey]

I didn't mean to be a downer.   A container (large pot) water garden or even a small shallow pond should be fine.  An above ground container water garden wouldn't have kids falling in or dogs jumping in.

[miguynmkoi]

You're no downer, Mike.  Just have to be careful and if anyone thinks of a problem about this situation then for sure it can happen and I don't want to be the guinea pig.  But I'm thinking of an above ground tub very close to the house and out of public view.

[thepitclub]

I have a very small pond in front of my house (I think 90 gal?). I've never had any problem with kids or dogs, etc., but my house doesn't sit too very close to the road. DH called about ordinances and there are none here regarding ponds (there is an ordinance regarding fences though; they must be situated behind the house). This pic kinda shows distance of pond to road, through the view of neighbors yard.
I enjoy mine in the front, wouldn't hurt to try it.