Pool Permit in Greenville County, South Carolina

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a pool permit in Greenville County?

Greenville County requires a permit for swimming pools; its permit FAQ names swimming pools among the work that requires a permit. South Carolina law exempts "prefabricated swimming pools that are less than twenty-four inches deep" from building permit application requirements when an owner improves residential property (S.C. Code 40-59-265). Every permitted pool must be enclosed by a barrier meeting Section 305 of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, and the owner signs a notarized Pool Fence Affidavit; the barrier, gates and door alarms are inspected at the pool's final inspection. Prefabricated swimming pools only. Always confirm with the office before starting.

How much does a pool permit cost in Greenville County?

Priced on the valuation table at actual project cost: the schedule's note reads "*** Renovations, alterations, and swimming pools to be used in the above table will be based on the actual cost of the project." Building work is priced on the Residential Permit Fees schedule by total valuation: "$1,000 and less" is "$36.00 minimum permit fee", and "$1,000 to $50,000" is "$22.50 for the first $1,000 plus $7.50 for each additional thousand or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000". The schedule PDF carries no effective date or resolution number; the department's notice says "Starting July 1, 2025, Residential and Commercial building permit fees will increase by 20 percent." The Pool Fence Affidavit says a $20.00 re-inspection fee applies if the barrier, gates or alarms are not installed at final inspection, while the current fee schedule lists a Re-inspection Fee of $120.00; the affidavit is dated Permit Version 2.05.2020. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.

How long does a pool permit take in Greenville County?

Five-day processing period for permits to be issued, per the Building Safety notice (the Forms and Applications page notice still reads one to two weeks). Times can vary by workload and project scope, so confirm with the office.

Where do you apply for a pool permit in Greenville County?

You can apply through the Greenville County permit portal or contact the Greenville County Building Safety (Planning and Code Compliance) directly. The links are listed on this page.

Can a homeowner pull a pool permit themselves in Greenville County?

Under South Carolina law (S.C. Code Ann. 40-59-260(A), (B), (C), (E), (F); 40-59-265; 40-59-280; 40-59-20(6), (7); 40-59-30(A)): South Carolina licenses residential builders and residential specialty contractors under S.C. Code Title 40 Chapter 59, and 40-59-260 exempts the owner of record who builds for himself. The exemption applies only if the owner does the work himself, with his own employees, or with licensed contractors or registered entities, if the structure is intended for the owner's sole occupancy or occupancy by the owner's family and is not intended for sale or rent, and if the general public does not have access to it. The owner must personally appear and sign the building permit application, and the local permitting agency must hand over a disclosure statement whose statutory text reads in part: You must supervise the construction yourself. You may build or improve a one-family or two-family residence. The building must be for your own use and occupancy. It may not be built for sale or rent. The sale restriction is two years and is a presumption rather than a flat bar: 40-59-260(B) makes proof of sale or rent, or of offering for sale or rent, within two years after completion or issuance of a certificate of occupancy prima facie evidence that the project was undertaken for sale or rent, which forfeits the exemption and exposes the owner to the chapter's penalties. South Carolina then adds a step no other state in this wave has: 40-59-260(E) requires the owner to promptly record a notice with the register of deeds, indexed under the owner's name in the grantor index, stating that the building was constructed by the owner as an unlicensed builder, and failure to record revokes the statutory exemption. The exemption is from the licensing chapter, not from the permit, and 40-59-280 requires the building official to refuse a permit unless the applicant furnishes evidence of licensure, registration, or exemption. Confirm how Greenville County applies this before you apply.