Inside Austin city limits, an inground pool needs a residential pool permit. The City's permit exemption covers prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep, not inground pools. The builder usually handles the permit, but it helps to know the steps.
Who pulls the permit
Before work starts under a building permit, the contractor must register with the City's Building and Trade Contractor Services. The City says that in Texas anyone can be a general contractor and no state licence is required. Plumbing, mechanical and electrical work goes under separate trade permits held by state-licensed trade contractors.
Plan review
The application includes a plot plan and structural drawings. From October 2026, Austin Energy no longer requires its service planning application with residential permits.
The City's review time for a swimming pool or uncovered deck is 5 business days. The clock starts once the review invoice is paid. If reviewers send comments, the plans are fixed and reviewed again.
Extra reviews some lots need
- Septic: adding a pool to a property with a septic system needs an on-site sewage facility review with Austin Water.
- Trees: a permit is needed to remove or impact a tree 19 inches or more across.
- Floodplain: the City's FloodPro map shows whether your lot is in a floodplain, which brings extra rules.
- Pool equipment may sit in a required setback, the City says.
The barrier
Austin applies the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, and a fence used as a pool barrier must meet the City's Swimming Pool and Spa Code. Federal safety guidance says a barrier should be at least 48 inches high, with gates that open away from the pool and close and latch on their own.
Check the drought stage
Austin Water is in its baseline Conservation Stage. If combined storage in Lakes Travis and Buchanan falls below 600,000 acre-feet, Stage 4 stops new single-family pool permits. Outside Austin, check your own water utility's plan.
How long it takes
Fixr says concrete pools take 3 to 12 weeks to install, partly because the concrete needs time to cure. Design, permit review and inspections add to that. Ask the builder for a written schedule with the main stages.
Questions
Do suburbs follow Austin's permit rules?
No. Cities like Round Rock, Cedar Park and Lakeway run their own permit offices, so the builder applies there.
Can I pull the permit myself?
The City says homeowners can act as their own general contractor, but they must register like any contractor. Trade work still needs licensed plumbers and electricians.
Areas served around Austin
- West Lake Hills
- Lakeway
- Bee Cave
- Steiner Ranch
- Dripping Springs
- Cedar Park
- Leander
- Round Rock
- Georgetown
- Pflugerville
- Buda
- Kyle