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Do you need a permit for a swimming pool in Seattle?

Yes. Seattle requires a permit for a swimming pool1.

Last checked

On this page
  1. Which permits you need
  2. Limits and conditions in Seattle's rule
  3. Pool permit fees in Seattle
  4. Who to ask
  5. Pool permit rules in other cities
  6. Sources

Yes

Seattle's rule

“Except as otherwise specifically provided in this code, a building permit shall be obtained from the building official for each building or structure prior to erecting, constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, [...] removing, changing the occupancy of, or demolishing such building or structure, or allowing the same to be done.”1

City of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections, SRC R105.1

Where Seattle names swimming pools

“Unenclosed pools accessory to Group R-3 Occupancy Base fee x 4…”2

City of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections, Table D-2, row 17 Swimming pools

Which permits you need

PermitRequired whenThe city’s wording
Building permitUnenclosed pool accessory to a Group R-3 dwelling (fee item exists)Unenclosed pools accessory to Group R-3 Occupancy Base fee x 4…2
Electrical permitSeparate trade permits may be requiredUnless otherwise exempted by this or other pertinent codes, separate master use, plumbing, electrical, mechanical and other permits may be required for the above exempted items.1

Limits and conditions in Seattle's rule

Each limit sits next to the sentence it comes from; the conditions in that sentence are part of the rule.

RuleValueThe city’s wording
Above-ground pools exempt up to5,000 gallonsPrefabricated swimming pools, spas and similar equipment accessory to a building subject to this code in which the pool walls are entirely above the adjacent grade and if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons.1

Pool permit fees in Seattle

Fee lines as Seattle's schedule states them. A minimum or base fee is not the whole price when the line says the fee grows with project value.

FeeTypeAs the schedule states it
Unenclosed pools accessory to Group R-3 Occupancy–Base fee x 42
SDCI base fee (2026)Flat fee$2922

All of Seattle's fee lines are on the Seattle permit page.

Who to ask

Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI)3

Building permits

Address
700 5th Ave, Suite 2000, Seattle, WA 98104 (mailing: P.O. Box 34019, Seattle, WA 98124-4019)
3
Hours
Most staff 8 AM - 4 PM (phone or email)5
Inspections
Online, or 24-hour line (206) 684-89006

Pool permit rules in other cities

Rules differ from city to city. Compare Seattle with 19 other cities on the national swimming pool permit guide, or go straight to one:

Sources

  1. 2021 Seattle Residential Code, Chapter 1 AdministrationCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
  2. 2026 Fee Subtitle and related documents (SMC Chapter 22.900)City of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsEffective January 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  3. Fences - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
  4. How Do You Get a Permit? - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Contact Us - Hours & LocationCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 6, 2026
  6. Construction Inspections - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026