Permit Required? Required
Typical Fee Range $300–$800 Includes building review and required safety barrier inspection.
Fee Method Valuation-based
Apply Online Apply at Planning & Community Development - Building Permits and Inspections →

What's Required in Virginia Beach

  • Building permit required for any pool 24 inches or deeper.
  • Mandatory 48-inch safety fence with self-latching gates.
  • Must maintain standard setbacks from property lines (usually 10ft).
  • Electrical permit mandatory for pump wiring and bonding.
  • Must comply with CBPA impervious cover limits.
  • Alarms required for any house doors with direct pool access.

Above-Ground vs. In-Ground Pool Permits in Virginia Beach

In Virginia Beach, 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 needs a permit once it holds 24 inches of water or more; shallower seasonal pools are generally exempt from the building permit, though safety rules can still apply. 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 Virginia Beach

Most homeowners never “renew” a Virginia Beach 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 Planning & Community Development - Building Permits and Inspections. 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 Planning & Community Development - Building Permits and Inspections.

How to Get a Pool Permit in Virginia Beach

1

Step 1: Engineering Plans

Hire a licensed professional for structural drawings.

2

Step 2: Submit Application

Upload plans and CBPA documentation to Accela.

3

Step 3: Environmental Review

Checked for impact on the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

4

Step 4: Trade Permits

Ensure the electrician pulls the mandatory bonding permit.

5

Step 5: Inspections

Requires steel, plumbing, and final safety barrier checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if they meet the 24-inch depth threshold.
No, a physical 4ft barrier is required by state code.
Water's edge must be at least 10 feet from property lines.
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.