What's Required in San Antonio
- A building permit is required for every residential pool except small prefab above-ground pools under 24 inches and 5,000 gallons.
- Electrical, plumbing and any gas work need separate permits by licensed contractors.
- Pools must be 5 feet from side and rear lines, measured from the waterline, and may not be in front of the house.
- Submit a scaled site plan labeling the barrier, audible alarms and self-closing gates.
- Sign the Swimming Pool/Spa Barriers and Safety Devices Compliance Agreement.
- Barriers must be at least 48 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching, outward-opening gates.
- In-ground pool sites need construction fencing at least 3 feet tall until the permanent barrier is complete.
- Barrier, alarms and latches are inspected at final before the pool is filled.
Do you need a permit for a pool in San Antonio?
Yes for in-ground pools and most others. City Code Section 10-6(e)(1)i exempts only prefabricated pools at a single-family or duplex home that are less than 24 inches deep, hold no more than 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground. Every other residential pool or spa needs a building permit from the Development Services Department (DSD), plus separate electrical and plumbing permits, and a gas permit if you add a gas heater, each pulled by licensed trade contractors.
How much is a pool permit in San Antonio?
The building permit is the flat Residential Swimming Pool Fee of $414.00 in DSD's FY 2027 Development Fee Schedule (revised September 2026). The trade permits are priced per item on top of a $57.50 base each. A typical in-ground pool with a pump, one light, an equipment circuit, a water fill line and a gas heater works out like this before surcharges:
- Building: $414.00
- Electrical: $57.50 base + $2.47 motor + $1.84 light fixture + $1.73 equipment outlet = $63.54
- Plumbing: $57.50 base + $8.05 for one fixture = $65.55
- Gas: $57.50 base + $11.50 for one opening + $9.20 gas test = $78.20
- Total $621.29; with the two 4% surcharges about $671.
Skip the gas heater and the total is $543.09 before surcharges. The exact trade items depend on what your electrician and plumber list on their applications; staff processing adds $11.50 per paper application and card payments add 3%.
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Inflatable or prefab above-ground pool under 24 in deep, 5,000 gal or less | None | Exempt (10-6(e)(1)i) |
| Any in-ground pool or spa | Building permit, $414.00 | Residential Improvements application |
| Above-ground pool 24 in deep or more, or over 5,000 gal | Building permit, $414.00 | Not prefab-exempt |
| Pump, lights, bonding | Electrical permit, licensed electrician | $57.50 base + items |
| Fill line, backflow | Plumbing permit, licensed plumber | $57.50 base + $8.05 per fixture |
| Gas heater | Gas permit | $57.50 base + $11.50 per opening |
| Pool placement | 5 ft from side and rear lines | No pools in front of the house |
What are San Antonio's pool barrier rules?
The city has adopted the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code with local amendments. DSD's pool bulletin summarizes the barrier: at least 48 inches tall measured on the outside, no more than 2 inches of clearance at the bottom over grass or gravel or 4 inches over concrete, openings that will not pass a 4-inch sphere, and gates that open outward, self-close and self-latch with the release at least 54 inches up. Where the house wall is part of the barrier, doors to the pool need an audible alarm and first-floor windows with sills under 48 inches need one too. A powered safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 can replace the barrier. During construction, San Antonio's amendment requires construction fencing at least 3 feet tall around an in-ground pool site from excavation until the permanent barrier is done.
How long does it take?
DSD says a residential pool application is reviewed and issued within three business days online or the same day over the counter. You sign the Barriers and Safety Devices Compliance Agreement with the application. Inspections are a building foundation inspection, electrical and plumbing rough-ins, then finals that check the barrier, alarms and latches before the pool is filled.
How to Get a Pool Permit in San Antonio
Confirm the pool needs a permit
Prefab above-ground pools under 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons are exempt; everything else needs the building permit.
Draw the site plan
Show the lot, existing structures, easements, the pool at least 5 feet from side and rear lines, and the barrier, alarms and gates.
Apply on BuildSA
Submit the Residential Improvements Permit Application with the Swimming Pool or Spa subtype and the signed compliance agreement.
Add the trade permits
Your licensed electrician, plumber and gas contractor file their own permits for bonding, equipment, fill lines and heaters.
Pass inspections before filling
Clear the foundation, electrical and plumbing rough-ins, then the finals that check the barrier, door alarms and gate latches.