Pool Permit in Rochester, New York

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a pool permit in Rochester?

A building permit is required for pools and hot tubs in Rochester unless the pool is accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling, sits entirely above ground, and is designed for a water depth of less than 24 inches. The Pools and Hot Tubs packet treats pools and hot tubs as detached accessory uses that must be located in a rear yard, requires an instrument survey map and the manufacturer's dimension specifications, and bars overhead power lines above or within 10 feet of the proposed location. Electrical work for the pool is a separate permit that a licensed contractor must pull through the online portal. If a deck is proposed around the pool, the deck packet is submitted with it. Pool accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling and installed entirely above ground. Always confirm with the office before starting.

How much does a pool permit cost in Rochester?

Miscellaneous Fees on the city's building permit fees page: "Swimming pool" $85.00. Pool wiring is a separate electrical charge, "Pool/hot tub wiring" $100.00. The fee page carries the notice "Fees for licenses, building, electrical, and plumbing permits, as well as for certificates of occupancy, will change effective July 1, 2026.". See the official fee schedule for current amounts.

Where do you apply for a pool permit in Rochester?

You can apply through the Rochester permit portal or contact the City of Rochester Department of Neighborhood and Business Development, Bureau of Zoning and Permitting (Building Permit Office); inspections and code enforcement by the Bureau of Buildings and Compliance directly. The links are listed on this page.

Can a homeowner pull a pool permit themselves in Rochester?

Under New York law (Inside New York City: NYC Admin. Code 28-104.1, 28-105.1, 28-105.4, 28-105.5.1, 28-401.3 (definition of "general contractor"). Outside New York City: N.Y. Exec. Law 381(2); 19 NYCRR 1203.3(a)(1).): New York State sets no owner-builder rule at all outside New York City. Executive Law 381(2) puts administration and enforcement in the hands of each local government, and 19 NYCRR 1203.3(a)(1) only requires each authority having jurisdiction to make building permits mandatory for work that must conform to the codes, leaving who may apply to local law. The state licenses no general contractors and imposes no owner-builder affidavit, disclosure form or post-permit sale restriction of the kind Florida uses, so whether a homeowner may pull the permit is a question for the specific city, town, village or county. New York City is the genuine outlier. Administrative Code 28-105.1 makes the work itself unlawful without a written permit, and Administrative Code 28-104.1 bars the department from issuing that permit until it approves the required construction documents, which must be prepared by or under the supervision of a registered design professional, meaning a licensed architect or engineer, as required by the code. A homeowner therefore cannot self-prepare and file the plans for permit-requiring work in New York City even though Administrative Code 28-105.5.1 defines the permit applicant as the person who performs the work or retains a subcontractor, and even though the general contractor registration definition in Administrative Code 28-401.3 expressly excludes an individual who constructs a residential structure of no more than three dwelling units for his or her own occupancy. Note that Administrative Code 28-105.4 exempts minor alterations and ordinary repairs from the permit requirement entirely, so the design professional bottleneck applies only to work that needs a permit in the first place. Confirm how Rochester applies this before you apply.