Do you need a permit for a swimming pool in Houston?
Yes. Houston requires a permit for a swimming pool1.
On this page
Yes
Houston's rule“The Houston Health Department responds to complaints concerning improperly maintained swimming pools/spas, and reviews and regulates all new residential swimming pool/spa constructions to ensure compliance with Texas State standards for public pools and spas.”1
City of Houston, Houston Health Department
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Structural approval required before Health Department closes the project | Please ensure project has been approved by structural prior to submitting request to the Houston Health Department.1 |
| Pool barrier permit | Health Department plan review of all new residential pools/spas | The Houston Health Department responds to complaints concerning improperly maintained swimming pools/spas, and reviews and regulates all new residential swimming pool/spa constructions to ensure compliance with Texas State standards for public pools and spas.1 |
What to submit
- Pool enclosure with self-closing, self-latching gates2
- Plot survey2
- Driveway gates and carports cannot form part of the enclosure2
- Plans taken to Houston Permitting Center, 1002 Washington Avenue, Third Floor1
Pool permit fees in Houston
Fee lines as Houston's schedule states them. A minimum or base fee is not the whole price when the line says the fee grows with project value.
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Plan review fee - Residential pool or spa [43-9(a)] | Plan review | $94.003 |
All of Houston's fee lines are on the Houston permit page.
Who to ask
Houston Permitting Center (Houston Public Works)6
Building permits
- Website
- houstonpermittingcenter.org4
- Apply online
- pdinet.pd.houstontx.gov5
- Phone
- (832) 394-90006
- [email protected]4
- Address
- 1002 Washington Ave., Houston, TX 770026
Pool permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare Houston with 19 other cities on the national swimming pool permit guide, or go straight to one:
- New York City, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Jacksonville, FL
- Fort Worth, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Charlotte, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- Residential Pools | Houston Health DepartmentCity of Houston, Houston Health DepartmentLast updated February 10, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Residential Pool/Spa Plan Requirements (Minimum Standards for Residential Pool/Spa Plan Submission)City of Houston, Houston Health DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- City Fee ScheduleCity of Houston, Finance Department (City-Wide Fee Schedule)Effective January 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- houston311.powerappsportals.usCity of Houston, Houston 3-1-1 Customer Service (Knowledge Base)Checked November 7, 2026
- iPermits Customer PortalCity of Houston, Houston Public Works (iPermits)Checked November 7, 2026
- Houston Permitting Center | City of Houston - Houston Public WorksCity of Houston, Houston Public WorksChecked November 6, 2026