Maryland / Prince George's County
Pool Permit in Prince George's County, Maryland
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
Before installing an in-ground pool, before installing an above-ground pool that is 24 inches or deeper or holds more than 5,000 gallons or is not prefabricated, and before filling in or removing an existing pool.
Issued byPrince George's County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE)
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Prince George's County exempts only small prefabricated above-ground pools: those less than 24 inches deep, no more than 5,000 gallons, installed entirely above ground and surrounded by a four-foot fence. Every other residential pool needs a Building Permit, an Electrical Permit that only a Master Electrician may submit, and a Restoration Bond applied for before the building permit is issued. DPIE also requires a barrier for all pools, citing Section 4-247 and R-327 of the County Building Code for a six-foot-high barrier around outdoor pools accessory to one-family detached dwellings, so a Fence Permit is normally filed with the pool permit. Filling in or removing an existing pool also requires a construction permit under DPIE Bulletin 2013-01.
Typical threshold: 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.
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When a permit is usually needed
Before installing an in-ground pool, before installing an above-ground pool that is 24 inches or deeper or holds more than 5,000 gallons or is not prefabricated, and before filling in or removing an existing pool.
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 Prince George's County
How Prince George's County compares in Maryland
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Countythis page | 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 Prince George's County's 24 inches in depth.
- Aurora, Colorado, pool depth at which a building permit is required
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana, prefabricated above ground pools that also hold less than 5,000 gallons
- Charleston, South Carolina, prefabricated swimming pools
- Cincinnati, Ohio, depth of a constructed pool serving a one-, two- or three-family dwelling
How to apply in Prince George's County
In Prince George's 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 Prince George's 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 Prince George's 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 Prince George's 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. Prince George's County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) sets the exact checklist for Prince George's County.
Where to apply in Prince George's County:
Prince George's County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE)
- 9400 Peppercorn Place, Largo, MD 20774
- Phone: 301-636-2000
- Email: dpiebprd@co.pg.md.us
Pool Permit in Prince George's County compared with nearby Maryland localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Maryland schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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... | |
| 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... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Prince George's 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 Prince George's 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 Prince George's 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 Prince George's 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 Prince George's 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 Prince George's 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 Prince George's County permit portal or by phone at 301-636-2000.
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 Prince George's County
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: 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. Usually needed: Before installing an in-ground pool, before installing an above-ground pool that is 24 inches or deeper or holds more than 5,000 gallons or is not prefabricated, and before filling in or removing an existing pool.
- Budget the fee. DPIE Fee Schedule, effective March 2, 2025: "Swimming Pool (In-ground) - Residential", minimum permit fee $297, "Total Fee = Administrative Fee $66 + Building Permit Fee ($297) + $53 Grading Fee + $5 M-NCPPC. Plus Technology Fee 10%"; "Swimming Pool (Above-ground/Restoration) - Residential", minimum permit fee $132, same formula with a $132 building permit fee. A separate "Electrical Permit Fee - Swimming Pool" of $162 applies, plus the $66 administrative fee and the 10% technology fee. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Prince George's 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 Prince George's County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Prince George's County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE). Phone: 301-636-2000. Address: 9400 Peppercorn Place, Largo, MD 20774.
- Plan for inspections. In Prince George's 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 Prince George's County?
- Prince George's County exempts only small prefabricated above-ground pools: those less than 24 inches deep, no more than 5,000 gallons, installed entirely above ground and surrounded by a four-foot fence. Every other residential pool needs a Building Permit, an Electrical Permit that only a Master Electrician may submit, and a Restoration Bond applied for before the building permit is issued. DPIE also requires a barrier for all pools, citing Section 4-247 and R-327 of the County Building Code for a six-foot-high barrier around outdoor pools accessory to one-family detached dwellings, so a Fence Permit is normally filed with the pool permit. Filling in or removing an existing pool also requires a construction permit under DPIE Bulletin 2013-01. 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. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a pool permit cost in Prince George's County?
- DPIE Fee Schedule, effective March 2, 2025: "Swimming Pool (In-ground) - Residential", minimum permit fee $297, "Total Fee = Administrative Fee $66 + Building Permit Fee ($297) + $53 Grading Fee + $5 M-NCPPC. Plus Technology Fee 10%"; "Swimming Pool (Above-ground/Restoration) - Residential", minimum permit fee $132, same formula with a $132 building permit fee. A separate "Electrical Permit Fee - Swimming Pool" of $162 applies, plus the $66 administrative fee and the 10% technology fee. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a pool permit in Prince George's County?
- You can apply through the Prince George's County permit portal or contact the Prince George's County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a pool permit themselves in Prince George's 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 Prince George's County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Prince George's County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...effective March 2, 2025, line item "Deck or Pergola", minimum permit fee $151.00:... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...work by item: "Electrical Permit Fee - Rough Wire Outlet, Segment of 15"... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | fence height above grade, with a permit required at any height on a corner lot, in a historic or protected area, or in the 100-year floodplain | ...effective March 2, 2025, line item "Fence - Residential", minimum permit fee $145:... |
| HVAC Permit | It depends | Before installing or replacing a furnace, boiler, heat pump, central air conditioner... | ...line item "Mechanical Permit - Commercial/Residential", minimum permit fee $86:... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | area of an at-grade patio, with a permit required at any size if stairs or ramps are built due to elevation change | ...March 2, 2025, line item "Patio - Residential > 500 Sq Ft", minimum permit fee... |
| Plumbing Permit | It depends | Before installing new plumbing or natural gas piping, before replacing a water heater... | See schedule |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | Before replacing roof sheathing or plywood, or doing any roof work that involves... | ...Residential" to "Alteration/Repair without U&O - Exterior", minimum permit fee... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | floor space of a one-story detached accessory structure, and only one such exempt structure is allowed per property | DPIE Fee Schedule, effective March 2, 2025, line item "Shed > 150 Sq Ft", $1.17 per SF:... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...2, 2025: "Solar Panels (Roof-mounted) - Residential", minimum permit fee $158... |
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 Prince George's County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this pool permit page for Prince George's County was verified. 2 official sources: princegeorgescountymd.gov, princegeorgescountymd.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Prince George's County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE). Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
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