Permit Required? Required
Typical Fee Range $400–$1,200 Building base fee ($35+) plus 50% plan review fee and trade permits (2026 schedule).
Fee Method Valuation-based
Apply Online Apply at Denver Community Planning and Development →

What's Required in Denver

  • A building permit is required for any in-ground pool or spa.
  • Must have a 4-foot minimum height safety fence with self-closing, self-latching gates.
  • Pool must maintain a minimum 5-foot setback from property lines and house foundations.
  • Electrical permit mandatory for pump bonding and underwater lighting.
  • Sewer Use and Drainage Permit (SUDP) required for drainage connected to city sewer.
  • Engineered structural drawings mandatory due to Colorado's expansive soil conditions.

Above-Ground vs. In-Ground Pool Permits in Denver

In Denver, both above-ground and in-ground pools almost always need a permit — but the requirements differ. An in-ground pool always requires a building permit, plus electrical and plumbing permits, because of the excavation, structural shell, and bonded equipment involved. An above-ground pool usually needs a permit once it holds enough water to be a drowning hazard; many jurisdictions draw the line around 24 inches of water depth, but Denver’s exact cutoff is set by the Denver Community Planning and Development, so confirm it against the requirements above. Either way, a code-compliant safety barrier — a fence, or the pool’s own walls plus a self-closing, self-latching gate — and electrical bonding of pumps and lights are inspected before final approval.

Pool Permit Renewal in Denver

Most homeowners never “renew” a Denver pool permit the way you’d renew a license. A residential pool building permit covers the construction work and closes once the pool passes its final inspection. What can expire is an unused or unfinished permit — many building departments void one if work hasn’t started or been inspected within a set window (often 6 to 12 months), and you’d then re-apply or request an extension from the Denver Community Planning and Development. Some cities also require a separate annual operating permit for public or shared pools, though that rarely applies to a single-family backyard pool. When in doubt, confirm the current rule and any renewal fee with the Denver Community Planning and Development.

How to Get a Pool Permit in Denver

1

Step 1: Structural Design

Hire a licensed engineer to draft structural and site plans for Denver soils.

2

Step 2: SUDP Submission

Apply for the Sewer Use and Drainage Permit first to ensure drainage compliance.

3

Step 3: Portal Submission

Submit building and trade applications via Denver E-Permits.

4

Step 4: Fee Payment

Pay the permit and plan check fees ($400 minimum base typical).

5

Step 5: Inspection Sequence

Schedule rough-in checks (Belly/Plumbing/Bonding) and final safety sign-offs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Typically 15–20 business days for residential plan review.
Yes, if it is deeper than 18 inches or has electrical components.
Yes, most in-ground pools require a geotechnical report due to local soil types.
A residential pool building permit isn’t renewed annually — it closes after the final inspection. It can expire if work doesn’t begin or pass inspection within the department’s time limit (often 6 to 12 months), in which case you re-apply or request an extension. Public or shared pools may need a separate annual operating permit.