Maryland / Anne Arundel County
Pool Permit in Anne Arundel County, Maryland
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
Before installing any in-ground pool or hot tub, or a prefabricated pool 24 inches deep or more.
Issued byAnne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits, Permit Center
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Outside Annapolis, all in-ground pools and all hot tubs require a Residential Accessory Structure building permit. The Construction Code exempts only prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; the county's permit guide instead states that above-ground pools over 36 inches in height require a permit. Pools are built to the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code as amended by the county.
Typical threshold: prefabricated pools; every in-ground pool and every hot tub needs a permit.
Who is pulling this permit?
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When a permit is usually needed
Before installing any in-ground pool or hot tub, or a prefabricated pool 24 inches deep or more.
What your pool permit must meet in Maryland
Maryland regulates residential swimming pools and spas under a dedicated statewide code, the Maryland Swimming Pool and Spa Standards, rather than through the IRC used for the rest of the house. That chapter currently incorporates the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
- The state runs a dedicated pool and spa code: the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) is incorporated by reference in the Maryland Swimming Pool and Spa Standards (COMAR 09.12.56.03).
- The Standards apply to every pool or spa whose building-permit application is received by a local jurisdiction on or after December 31, 2023 (COMAR 09.12.56.02).
- Residential (non-public) pools must be surrounded by a barrier that complies with the ISPSC barrier provisions, Sections 305.2.1 through 305.7 (COMAR 09.12.56.05).
Based on 2024 ISPSC, adopted via COMAR 09.12.56 Maryland Swimming Pool and Spa Standards. Read the code. Local amendments can be stricter; confirm the current requirement with your office before you build.
What a pool permit costs in Anne Arundel County
How Anne Arundel County compares in Maryland
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Anne Arundel Countythis page | It depends | prefabricated pools; every in-ground pool and every hot tub needs a permit |
| Baltimore County | It depends | above-ground pool surface area, where the water depth is 24 inches or more; in-ground pools require a permit at any size |
| Howard County | Permit required | Any size |
| Montgomery County | Permit required | Any size |
| Prince George's County | It depends | prefabricated pools accessory to one- and two-family dwellings that are installed entirely above ground, hold no more than 5,000 gallons, and have a four-foot fence around the pool perimeter |
Closest pool permit thresholds outside Maryland
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Anne Arundel County's 24 inches deep.
- Bernalillo County, New Mexico, prefabricated pool accessory to a Group R-3 dwelling, installed entirely above ground, capacity not over 5,000 gallons
- Tampa, Florida, Prefabricated pools installed entirely above ground, accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy, holding no more than 5,000 gallons
How to apply in Anne Arundel County
In Anne Arundel County, a residential pool permit application covers both construction and safety: a scaled site plan, structural plans for the pool, a barrier plan showing how the pool will be enclosed, and an electrical plan covering bonding and the equipment disconnect.
What most pool permit applications include:
- Pool and spa design and construction fall under the residential code chapter that folds in the swimming pool and spa code, and permit review checks plans against that chapter (IRC R326).
- For Anne Arundel County, the site plan must show pool equipment such as pumps, filters, and heaters set back at least 36 inches from the outside of the required barrier (ISPSC 305.2.9).
- For an in-ground pool, engineered structural plans covering the shell and reinforcing steel, with the responsible structural engineer's license information, are a standard part of the submittal (per official pool submittal checklists).
- For Anne Arundel County, a barrier plan identifying the fence, pool structure, or dwelling wall that will enclose the pool must be submitted and must comply with the code's barrier chapter (ISPSC 305).
- Electrical plans must show the pool's equipotential bonding design, since the shell, perimeter surfaces, and metal fittings within 5 feet of the water must all tie into a common bonding grid (NEC 680.26).
- For Anne Arundel County, the electrical plan must also show a disconnecting means for the pool equipment that is readily accessible and within sight of the equipment (NEC 680.13).
General submittal guidance from 2021 IRC R326 (adopting the ISPSC), ISPSC 2021 Section 305, and NEC 2020 Article 680. Source. Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits, Permit Center sets the exact checklist for Anne Arundel County.
Where to apply in Anne Arundel County:
Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits, Permit Center
- 2664 Riva Road, Heritage Office Complex, Annapolis, MD 21401
- Phone: (410) 222-7730
- Email: permitcenterhelp@aacounty.org
Pool Permit in Anne Arundel County compared with nearby Maryland localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Maryland schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anne Arundel County | It depends | prefabricated pools; every in-ground pool and every hot tub needs a permit | Building permits are valuation-based: "$0-$3,000 | $86.00" rising to "Above $25,000 |... | |
| Baltimore County | It depends | above-ground pool surface area, where the water depth is 24 inches or more; in-ground pools require a permit at any size | ...Fee Schedule effective 07/01/26: Swimming Pool, Residential, Above Ground... | |
| Howard County | Permit required | Any size | $100 for above-ground pools | |
| Montgomery County | Permit required | Any size | $360.68 for a private in-ground swimming pool including its fence per... | |
| Prince George's County | It depends | prefabricated pools accessory to one- and two-family dwellings that are installed entirely above ground, hold no more than 5,000 gallons, and have a four-foot fence around the pool perimeter | ...March 2, 2025: "Swimming Pool (In-ground) - Residential", minimum permit fee $297... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Anne Arundel County, pool inspections track the concrete pour: the steel and bonding grid are checked before gunite or shotcrete goes in, bonding is checked again before decking is poured, and the permanent barrier and remaining electrical work are checked at final before the pool can be filled and used.
- In Anne Arundel County: before gunite or shotcrete is sprayed, the inspector checks the rebar against the engineered plans and confirms the equipotential bonding wire is stubbed out and tied into the steel, since it will be buried in concrete afterward (NEC 680.26).
- In Anne Arundel County: a bonding inspection separately confirms coping, decking, ladders, handrail cups, and any other metal within 5 feet of the water are tied to the bonding grid, and it must pass before coping is installed (NEC 680.26).
- In Anne Arundel County: a temporary barrier at least 4 feet high must enclose the site from the moment excavation starts until the permanent barrier is finished, and inspectors check for it throughout construction (ISPSC 305.1.1).
- In Anne Arundel County: a pre-plaster inspection confirms the circulation equipment's electrical work is installed and all bonding is complete before the pool's interior finish goes on (NEC 680.26).
- In Anne Arundel County: at final inspection the permanent barrier is checked against the code's requirements and the equipment and cover-mechanism bonding must be complete before the pool can be filled and used (ISPSC 305, NEC 680.26).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Anne Arundel County permit portal or by phone at (410) 222-7730.
Inspection sequence from NEC 2020 Article 680.26 (equipotential bonding) and ISPSC 2021 Section 305 (barriers). Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Pool Permit checklist for Anne Arundel County
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: prefabricated pools; every in-ground pool and every hot tub needs a permit. Usually needed: Before installing any in-ground pool or hot tub, or a prefabricated pool 24 inches deep or more.
- Budget the fee. Building permits are valuation-based: "$0-$3,000 | $86.00" rising to "Above $25,000 | $242.00 plus .010 times estimated cost above $25,000.00", plus "A non-refundable application fee of $43.00 will be added to all building permits." Minimum Building Permit Fee $86.00 (Permit Fees page, effective October 1, 2024). A pool also needs an electrical permit: "Residential swimming pool | $69.00" (electrical schedule, effective October 1, 2024). Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Anne Arundel County, a residential pool permit application covers both construction and safety: a scaled site plan, structural plans for the pool, a barrier plan showing how the pool will be enclosed, and an electrical plan covering bonding and the equipment disconnect. Start at the Anne Arundel County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits, Permit Center. Phone: (410) 222-7730. Address: 2664 Riva Road, Heritage Office Complex, Annapolis, MD 21401.
- Plan for inspections. In Anne Arundel County, pool inspections track the concrete pour: the steel and bonding grid are checked before gunite or shotcrete goes in, bonding is checked again before decking is poured, and the permanent barrier and remaining electrical work are checked at final before the pool can be filled and used.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a pool permit in Anne Arundel County?
- Outside Annapolis, all in-ground pools and all hot tubs require a Residential Accessory Structure building permit. The Construction Code exempts only prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; the county's permit guide instead states that above-ground pools over 36 inches in height require a permit. Pools are built to the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code as amended by the county. Prefabricated pools; every in-ground pool and every hot tub needs a permit. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a pool permit cost in Anne Arundel County?
- Building permits are valuation-based: "$0-$3,000 | $86.00" rising to "Above $25,000 | $242.00 plus .010 times estimated cost above $25,000.00", plus "A non-refundable application fee of $43.00 will be added to all building permits." Minimum Building Permit Fee $86.00 (Permit Fees page, effective October 1, 2024). A pool also needs an electrical permit: "Residential swimming pool | $69.00" (electrical schedule, effective October 1, 2024). See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a pool permit in Anne Arundel County?
- You can apply through the Anne Arundel County permit portal or contact the Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits, Permit Center directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a pool permit themselves in Anne Arundel County?
- Under Maryland law (Md. Code, Bus. Occ. and Prof. 12-301(b), 6-607(1); Public Safety 12-505): It depends on the trade and the county. Plumbing: state law exempts an individual who personally provides plumbing services in their own residence, but homeowners may not make final connections between the residence and public or private water supply or disposal systems, and Baltimore County plus the WSSC-area counties are largely carved out of the state plumbing title. Electrical: the Maryland Electricians Act prohibits providing electrical services for compensation without a license; it has no express homeowner exemption, so uncompensated work on one's own home falls outside the licensing prohibition, but each county decides whether it will issue an electrical permit to an unlicensed homeowner. Building permits are issued by local jurisdictions, which set their own owner-applicant rules. Confirm how Anne Arundel County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Anne Arundel County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Remodel Permit | It depends | Before moving or replacing fixtures or piping, adding circuits, or relocating or... | Trade permits as scoped: plumbing "First plumbing fixture | $51.00", "Each additional... |
| Deck Permit | It depends | detached residential deck not more than 30 inches above grade and not attached to any structure; attached decks and decks in the critical area always need a permit | Building permits are valuation-based: "$0-$3,000 | $86.00" rising to "Above $25,000 |... |
| Electrical Permit | It depends | Before installing, altering or replacing wiring, circuits, fixtures, panels or services | ...not include service change or subpanel) | Any number of electrical devices |... |
| EV Charger Permit | It depends | Before installing a hardwired charger or a new circuit or receptacle for one | ...not include service change or subpanel) | Any number of electrical devices |... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | height of a fence accessory to a residential structure; any fence on waterfront property or a corner lot with intersecting streets needs a permit regardless of height | Building permits are valuation-based: "$0-$3,000 | $86.00" rising to "Above $25,000 |... |
| HVAC Permit | It depends | Before installing or replacing a furnace, heat pump, central air conditioner or ductwork | Mechanical, residential: "Heating and Air Conditioning | $121.00", "Heating System |... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | patio height above adjacent grade; the exemption also requires that the patio is not over a basement or story below and is not part of an accessible route | ...a building permit is valuation-based: Building permits are valuation-based:... |
| Plumbing Permit | It depends | Before adding, relocating or replacing fixtures or piping | ...plumbing and all commercial plumbing work": "First plumbing fixture | $51.00"... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | Before replacing roof sheathing together with shingles, or any trusses | Building permits are valuation-based: "$0-$3,000 | $86.00" rising to "Above $25,000 |... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | one-story detached shed accessory to a residence, average height not over 10 feet; every shed in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and any shed within 3 feet of the house needs a permit | Building permits are valuation-based: "$0-$3,000 | $86.00" rising to "Above $25,000 |... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...on the estimated value of the work": Building permits are valuation-based:... |
| Water Heater Permit | Permit required | Any size | Plumbing: "First plumbing fixture | $51.00" plus a $43.00 application fee |
Pool Permit in other Maryland localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Anne Arundel County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this pool permit page for Anne Arundel County was verified. 2 official sources: aacounty.org, codelibrary.amlegal.com; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits, Permit Center. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
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