Pool Permit in Snohomish County, Washington
By Mario Bailey Last checked 2026-07-06 · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources Confirmed on official pageIt depends
Quick answer
In unincorporated Snohomish County a prefabricated swimming pool regulated under the International Residential Code (one- and two-family dwellings) does not require a building permit if it is less than 24 inches deep; there is no separate gallon-volume limit for these pools under county code. In-ground pools and pools 24 inches deep or deeper require a building permit applied for through the PDS Permit Portal.
Typical threshold: prefabricated swimming pools regulated under the IRC (one- and two-family dwellings) exempt if less than 24 inches deep, with no gallon-volume cap; in-ground pools or pools 24 inches deep or more require a building permit.
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- 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?
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When a permit is usually needed
Before installing any swimming pool 24 inches deep or deeper, or any in-ground pool, in unincorporated Snohomish County
What your pool permit must meet in Washington
Washington's 2021 Residential Code (WAC 51-51, effective statewide March 15, 2024) requires backyard swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs at single-family and duplex homes to be designed and built to the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, incorporated by direct statewide reference rather than left to local option.
- The design and construction of swimming pools, spas, and other aquatic recreation facilities must comply with the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code whenever the facility falls into one of three defined residential categories (WAC 51-51-0327).
- That mandatory ISPSC standard covers pools for the sole use of a single-family dwelling's residents and guests, the sole use of a resident-owned duplex, or a facility used exclusively for medical physical therapy under a licensed practitioner's supervision (WAC 51-51-0327).
- Any other water recreation facility outside those residential categories is regulated under separate Washington Department of Health rules, not the Residential Code (WAC 246-260; WAC 51-50-3109).
Based on 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), incorporated by WAC 51-51-0327 into the 2021 Washington State Residential Code. Read the code. Local amendments can be stricter; confirm the current requirement with your office before you build.
What pool permit costs in Snohomish County
Priced from the PDS valuation table starting at a $45 permit fee plus $29.25 plan check at the lowest valuation bracket, plus a $150 base fee per application, the $6.50 state surcharge and a 3% technology surcharge, per PDS Bulletin 18 effective 3/13/2026; prefabricated pools with walls entirely above grade holding 5,000 gallons or less need no building permit.
How Snohomish County compares in Washington
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | It depends | swimming pools over 24 inches deep require a permit with plan review; above-ground pools 24 inches or less may be exempt |
| Clark County | It depends | A permit is required for any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 24 inches deep, including in-ground, aboveground and on-ground pools, hot tubs and spas. |
| King County | It depends | 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 |
| Pierce County | It depends | Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a single family residence (Group R-3 occupancy) are exempt if less than 24 inches deep, with no separate gallon volume cap; in-ground pools and pools 24 inches deep or deeper require a building permit. Self-contained spas and hot tubs installed entirely above ground and not connected to the potable water system or a septic or sewer drain are separately exempt regardless of depth. |
| Snohomish Countythis page | It depends | prefabricated swimming pools regulated under the IRC (one- and two-family dwellings) exempt if less than 24 inches deep, with no gallon-volume cap; in-ground pools or pools 24 inches deep or more require a building permit |
| Tacoma | It depends | prefabricated above-ground pools less than 24 inches deep and not greater than 5000 gallons are exempt; all other pools require a building permit |
| Thurston County | It depends | Pools are exempt only if prefabricated, entirely above ground, less than 24 inches deep, and under 5,000 gallons capacity. |
Closest pool permit thresholds outside Washington
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Snohomish County's 24 inches.
- 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.
- Polk County, Florida, In-ground pools and spas always require a permit; above-ground pools and spas require one only when more than 24 inches deep.
- Virginia Beach, Virginia, 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.
How to apply in Snohomish 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).
- 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. Snohomish County Planning and Development Services sets the exact checklist for Snohomish County.
Where to apply in Snohomish County:
Snohomish County Planning and Development Services
- 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, M/S 604, Everett, WA 98201
- Phone: 425-388-3311
- Email: epermittech@snoco.org
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 Snohomish County permit portal or by phone at 425-388-3311.
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 Snohomish County
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: prefabricated swimming pools regulated under the IRC (one- and two-family dwellings) exempt if less than 24 inches deep, with no gallon-volume cap; in-ground pools or pools 24 inches deep or more require a building permit. Usually needed: Before installing any swimming pool 24 inches deep or deeper, or any in-ground pool, in unincorporated Snohomish County.
- Budget the fee. Priced from the PDS valuation table starting at a $45 permit fee plus $29.25 plan check at the lowest valuation bracket, plus a $150 base fee per application, the $6.50 state surcharge and a 3% technology surcharge, per PDS Bulletin 18 effective 3/13/2026; prefabricated pools with walls entirely above grade holding 5,000 gallons or less need no building permit. Official fee schedule.
- 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 Snohomish County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Snohomish County Planning and Development Services. Phone: 425-388-3311. Address: 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, M/S 604, Everett, WA 98201.
- 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 2026-07-06.
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Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a pool permit in Snohomish County?
- In unincorporated Snohomish County a prefabricated swimming pool regulated under the International Residential Code (one- and two-family dwellings) does not require a building permit if it is less than 24 inches deep; there is no separate gallon-volume limit for these pools under county code. In-ground pools and pools 24 inches deep or deeper require a building permit applied for through the PDS Permit Portal. Prefabricated swimming pools regulated under the IRC (one- and two-family dwellings) exempt if less than 24 inches deep, with no gallon-volume cap; in-ground pools or pools 24 inches deep or more require a building permit. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a pool permit cost in Snohomish County?
- Priced from the PDS valuation table starting at a $45 permit fee plus $29.25 plan check at the lowest valuation bracket, plus a $150 base fee per application, the $6.50 state surcharge and a 3% technology surcharge, per PDS Bulletin 18 effective 3/13/2026; prefabricated pools with walls entirely above grade holding 5,000 gallons or less need no building permit. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a pool permit in Snohomish County?
- You can apply through the Snohomish County permit portal or contact the Snohomish County Planning and Development Services directly. The links are listed on this page.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Snohomish 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 | It depends | uncovered decks, deck steps, and uncovered porches for residential buildings exempt if 30 inches or less above adjacent grade at any point, not over a basement or story below, and not part of a required accessible route; covered or taller decks require a permit | Base application fee $150 per application plus 3% technology surcharge and $6.50 Washin... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No county fee; |
| Fence Permit | It depends | fences 8 feet or less in height exempt, provided they have no masonry or concrete elements above 6 feet (wire strands atop an 8-foot fence are excluded from the height measurement); taller fences, or fences with masonry/concrete above 6 feet, require a permit | Base application fee $150 per application plus 3% technology surcharge and $6.50 Washin... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Filed as a Mech/Plbg residential trade permit priced from the PDS valuation table start... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | open at-grade patios are treated as exempt sidewalks and driveways under SCC 30.50.103(1)(e) with no size limit; freestanding patio covers (roofed, not attached to another structure) are exempt only if 200 sq ft or less inside the UGA or 400 sq ft or less outside the UGA; larger or attached patio covers require a permit | Priced from the PDS valuation table starting at a $45 permit fee plus $29.25 plan check... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Filed as a Mech/Plbg residential trade permit priced from the PDS valuation table start... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | re-roof overlay or tear-off-and-replace of a residential roof exempt if limited to 2 total layers of roofing material, uses the same type of roofing material as the existing roof, and the roof sheathing is not removed or replaced; adding a layer beyond 2, changing material type, or replacing sheathing requires a permit | A like-for-like reroof limited to 2 layers with no sheathing removal needs no permit; |
| Shed Permit | It depends | one-story detached accessory structure not used for human habitation (tool/storage shed, playhouse) exempt if floor area is 200 sq ft or less and sidewalls 9 ft or less inside the Urban Growth Area (UGA), or 400 sq ft or less and sidewalls 11 ft or less outside the UGA; larger structures require a building permit | Base application fee $150 per application plus 3% technology surcharge and $6.50 Washin... |
| Solar Permit | It depends | ground-mounted residential solar PV systems never need a building or mechanical permit; roof-mounted residential PV on a detached single-family house is exempt from a building/mechanical permit only if total dead load is 3.5 lbs per sq ft or less (up to 4.5 lbs per sq ft for frameless panels on a 3:12 or steeper slope, or 5 lbs per sq ft for frameless panels on a 5:12 or steeper slope), panels are mounted 18 inches or less above the roof surface, and an electrical permit has already been issued; a separate electrical permit through WA L&I is always required regardless | Ground-mounted and qualifying roof-mounted residential solar PV need no county building... |
Pool Permit in other Washington localities
Official sources
Verified by a person against the sources above on 2026-07-06, not confirmed with Snohomish County Planning and Development Services. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: 2026-07-06Report an error on this page
Compare Pool Permit requirements across Washington localities
Washington rule changes
- Bellevue, WA sets a flat $290 re-roof permit fee (Ordinance 6879)
Ord. 6879 · 2026-07-25