Pool Permit in Virginia Beach, Virginia
By Mario Bailey Last checked 2026-07-19 · 4 official sources
Verified against official sources Confirmed on official pageIt depends
Quick answer
Virginia Beach's residential building permit list includes in-ground and above-ground pools and hot tubs or spas with a water capacity of 24 inches or more, and the city's fence and wall page states that all property owners must obtain a building permit to install swimming pools and barriers. Under USBC 13VAC5-63-80 only pools with a surface area no greater than 150 square feet that are less than 24 inches deep are exempt. Pool barriers are regulated under the Virginia codes and permitted through Permits and Inspections.
Typical threshold: Permits are required for pools, hot tubs, and spas holding 24 inches or more of water; state code exempts only pools with a surface area of 150 square feet or less that are under 24 inches deep.
Who is pulling this permit?
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Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
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When a permit is usually needed
In-ground or above-ground pools, hot tubs, and spas with 24 inches or more of water
What your pool permit must meet in Virginia
Virginia's 2021 Uniform Statewide Building Code makes the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code the governing construction standard for swimming pools statewide, and a companion Virginia Residential Code amendment adds its own glazing-safety rule for pools, spas, and hot tubs at one- and two-family homes.
- Virginia's building code incorporates the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) by reference as an enforceable statewide standard (13VAC5-63, referenced standards).
- Swimming pools, swimming pool enclosures, and aquatic recreational facilities must comply with the applicable provisions of the ISPSC under Virginia's amendment to the model building code (13VAC5-63-336, Section 3109.1).
- A Virginia-specific residential amendment requires safety glazing within 60 inches of the water's edge of a hot tub, spa, or indoor or outdoor swimming pool, treating that zone as a hazardous glazing location (VRC R308.4.5, 13VAC5-63-210).
Based on 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, 13VAC5-63-336 (Section 3109.1) and 13VAC5-63-210 (VRC R308.4.5), incorporating the 2021 ISPSC. Read the code. Local amendments can be stricter; confirm the current requirement with your office before you build.
What pool permit costs in Virginia Beach
Residential permit fees start at $50 plus area or valuation based charges, plus a 2% state levy and a $10 technology fee (rev Jul-2025).
How Virginia Beach compares in Virginia
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington County | It depends | Under USBC 108.2 a swimming pool is exempt only when its surface area is not greater than 150 square feet and it is less than 24 inches deep; otherwise building and trade permits are required. |
| Chesterfield County | It depends | pools, hot tubs, or spas (permanent or storable) greater than 150 sq ft surface area, 5,000 gallons capacity, and more than 24 inches deep require a building permit; smaller or shallower pools are exempt |
| Fairfax County | It depends | pool over 150 sq ft surface area, over 5000 gallons, or over 24 inches deep requires a building permit |
| Fauquier County | It depends | over 150 sq ft surface area or 5000 or more gallons or more than 24 inches in depth |
| Henrico County | It depends | pools, hot tubs, or spas with a surface area greater than 150 sq ft, more than 5,000 gallons, or 24 inches or more deep require a building permit; smaller and shallower pools are exempt |
| Loudoun County | Permit required | Not specified |
| Virginia Beachthis page | It depends | Permits are required for pools, hot tubs, and spas holding 24 inches or more of water; state code exempts only pools with a surface area of 150 square feet or less that are under 24 inches deep. |
Closest pool permit thresholds outside Virginia
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Virginia Beach's 24 inches.
- Bellevue, Washington, swimming pools over 24 inches deep require a permit with plan review; above-ground pools 24 inches or less may be exempt
- King County, Washington, prefabricated above-ground pools less than 24 inches deep and not exceeding 5000 gallons are exempt; all other pools require a building permit in unincorporated King County
- Lee County, Florida, All in-ground pool construction or renovation requires a permit; an above-ground pool requires a permit when its water depth is 24 inches or more.
- Palm Beach County, Florida, Portable or manufactured pools and spas less than 24 inches deep need no permit; all in-ground pools, larger above-ground pools, and spas require a Building Permit (Type 3(E) for 1 and 2 unit dwellings) plus applicable electrical, plumbing, and pool-barrier sub-permits, and must satisfy Florida's residential pool safety-feature requirements under F.S. 515.27 before final inspection.
How to apply in Virginia Beach
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).
- 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).
- 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).
- 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. Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections Division sets the exact checklist for Virginia Beach.
Where to apply in Virginia Beach:
Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections Division
- 2403 Courthouse Drive, Building 3, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
- Phone: 757-385-4211
- Email: perminsp@vbgov.com
Inspections and closing out your permit
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.
- 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).
- 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).
- 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).
- 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).
- 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 Virginia Beach permit portal or by phone at 757-385-4211.
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 Virginia Beach
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: Permits are required for pools, hot tubs, and spas holding 24 inches or more of water; state code exempts only pools with a surface area of 150 square feet or less that are under 24 inches deep. Usually needed: In-ground or above-ground pools, hot tubs, and spas with 24 inches or more of water.
- Budget the fee. Residential permit fees start at $50 plus area or valuation based charges, plus a 2% state levy and a $10 technology fee (rev Jul-2025).
- Apply. 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 Virginia Beach permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections Division. Phone: 757-385-4211. Address: 2403 Courthouse Drive, Building 3, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.
- Plan for inspections. 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 2026-07-19.
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Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a pool permit in Virginia Beach?
- Virginia Beach's residential building permit list includes in-ground and above-ground pools and hot tubs or spas with a water capacity of 24 inches or more, and the city's fence and wall page states that all property owners must obtain a building permit to install swimming pools and barriers. Under USBC 13VAC5-63-80 only pools with a surface area no greater than 150 square feet that are less than 24 inches deep are exempt. Pool barriers are regulated under the Virginia codes and permitted through Permits and Inspections. Permits are required for pools, hot tubs, and spas holding 24 inches or more of water; state code exempts only pools with a surface area of 150 square feet or less that are under 24 inches deep. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a pool permit cost in Virginia Beach?
- Residential permit fees start at $50 plus area or valuation based charges, plus a 2% state levy and a $10 technology fee (rev Jul-2025). Contact the office for current amounts.
- How long does a pool permit take in Virginia Beach?
- In Virginia Beach, a pool permit typically takes 3 business days initial online review. Times can vary by workload and project scope, so confirm with the office.
- Where do you apply for a pool permit in Virginia Beach?
- You can apply through the Virginia Beach permit portal or contact the Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a pool permit themselves in Virginia Beach?
- Under Virginia law (Va. Code 54.1-1101(A); 13VAC5-63-80 (USBC Sections 108.3, 108.4)): Yes. Va. Code 54.1-1101(A) exempts any person who performs or supervises construction, removal, repair, or improvement of no more than one primary residence owned by them and for their own use during any 24-month period. The exemption covers the whole licensing chapter, including tradesman licensing for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, so it reaches trade work on the owner's own primary residence. Under the USBC the permit applicant may be the owner or the owner's agent, and an applicant may file a written statement that they are not subject to licensure instead of proof of license. Limits: one primary residence per 24 months, for the owner's own use; rental and investment property work is not covered. Confirm how Virginia Beach applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Virginia Beach
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 | No size or height exemption; the city states permits are required for construction of a new deck no matter the size or height. | Residential fees start at $50 plus area or valuation based charges (non-heated new work... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | State code exempts like-for-like replacement of snap switches, dimmer and control switches, 125 volt 15 or 20 ampere receptacles, luminaires, and ceiling fans; other electrical work needs a permit. | Not published |
| Fence Permit | It depends | A zoning fence permit is required for any fence or wall within 30 feet of a public right-of-way (except agricultural fences in the AG district); the statewide code exempts fences of any height from building permits unless they serve as a swimming pool barrier. | $61 fence permit fee (city Fence and Wall Bulletin, rev Nov-2025) |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | State code provides a narrow exemption for like-for-like replacement of certain mechanical appliances not fueled by gas or oil; other mechanical work needs a permit. | Not published |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Roofed or screened patio additions require a building permit; the city's published permit list does not address open at-grade patios and the state exemption list has no patio entry. | If a permit applies, residential fees start at $50 plus area or valuation based charges... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | State code exempts replacement of plumbing fixtures and well pumps without alteration of the water supply and distribution systems; other plumbing work needs a permit. | Not published |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Roofing replacement is on the city's permit-required alterations list; the state exemption for roof covering replacement on one and two family dwellings applies only where the nominal design wind speed is not greater than 100 mph. | $50 plus $5 per $1,000 of construction value, plus a 2% state levy and a $10 technology... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | One story detached sheds with a building area of 256 square feet or less are exempt from a building permit; larger sheds require one. | Non-heated residential new construction: $50 plus $4 per 100 sq ft, plus a 2% state lev... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | No exemption; photovoltaic work is a listed category on the city electrical permit application and electrical work requires a permit under the statewide code. | Not published |
Pool Permit in other Virginia localities
Official sources
- https://planning.virginiabeach.gov/permits/building/residential-building-permits
- https://planning.virginiabeach.gov/permits/fence-wall
- https://housing.virginiabeach.gov/code-enforcement/swimming-pool-safety
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title13/agency5/chapter63/section80/
- https://www.bountifulutah.gov/file/ee478521-f791-4cee-a755-2d923ff70257
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title13/agency5/chapter63/section336/
Verified by a person against the sources above on 2026-07-19, not confirmed with Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections Division. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: 2026-07-19Report an error on this page
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