The Swimming Pool Permit Application, printed by the City of Dallas Development Services Department as the Swimming Pool/Spa Permit Application with a Required Documents checklist, tells you what to supply when you apply for a pool or spa permit. It is one of the Dallas permit forms, and it ends with an acknowledgement that you sign. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original document is published by the City of Dallas at the official source link.
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What is Swimming Pool Permit Application – Dallas, TX?
The Swimming Pool Permit Application is the City of Dallas Development Services Department checklist, headed "Swimming Pool/Spa Permit Application – Required Documents", that lists the documents an applicant must supply for plan review of a swimming pool or spa and records the applicant's acknowledgement.
By checking each requirement, the applicant states that the information supplied is correct and complete. The checklist begins with four notes: which pools need no permit, when a swimming pool permit is required for backwash drain or service work, when separate electrical or plumbing permits apply, and when engineering drawings are required. It then lists the items to submit: the completed permit application and two copies of a site plan, with nine required details (a through i).
If required information is missing from the submitted documents, the department notifies the applicant of the deficiency. Failure to supply it may result in the application being delayed, denied and eventually discarded. Re-submittal for plan review needs a new application, the original application, complete plans and a new checklist, and it is treated as a new application processed in order of receipt.
The form is issued by the City of Dallas, so it applies to Dallas only. It does not replace the separate electrical or plumbing permits that pool work may trigger.
Who needs to file Swimming Pool Permit Application – Dallas, TX?
Anyone applying for a permit to install a swimming pool or spa in Dallas uses this checklist. The checklist says that all pools require a permit except one narrow case, so most pool installations are covered.
You do not need a pool permit for a prefabricated swimming pool accessory to a single family or two-family dwelling when all of these are true:
- the pool wall is completely above adjacent grade;
- the pool capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons;
- the pool depth is less than 24 inches (610mm).
You do need a Swimming Pool Permit if your pool plan includes a backwash drain water filler or services that must be moved.
Other permits and drawings can apply on top of this application. Electrical or plumbing work done with a pool installation requires an electrical or plumbing permit. A pool installed inside or on top of a building requires engineering drawings.
The acknowledgement asks for a printed name, so the person who signs states that they have read the information and provided all required documents. The checklist does not describe signing on behalf of someone else.
When to file Swimming Pool Permit Application – Dallas, TX
Submit the application when you plan to install a swimming pool or spa that needs a permit, that is, any pool other than the small prefabricated pool described in note 1 of the checklist. The checklist prints no filing deadline, fee schedule or processing time.
Timing matters most when the package is incomplete. If required information is missing, you will be notified of the deficiency, and failing to supply it may delay, deny and eventually discard the application. A re-submittal needs a new application, the original application, complete plans and a new checklist, and it is treated as a new application processed in order of receipt, so submitting a complete package the first time avoids losing your place.
Documents you need
- Completed permit application: required for every pool permit application.
- Two (2) copies of a site plan, drawn to scale and dimensioned, with minimum text size 3/32" on a drawing sheet of at least 11"x17".
- Site plan details: north arrow, all property lines, swimming pool specifications, and the footprint of all structures with front, side and rear yard setbacks.
- Site plan details: footprint of the pool, location of filter, pump, pool heater and other accessory equipment, and location of all easements and platted building lines.
- Site plan detail: location of the fence, wall or other barrier enclosing the pool.
- Description of the alarm system for all doors and gates into the pool enclosure (a system "cut sheet" copy is acceptable), or the alternative of self-closing, self-latching doors and gates, as the Dallas Building Code requires.
- Engineering drawings: only if the pool is installed inside or on top of a building.
How to fill out Swimming Pool Permit Application – Dallas, TX
Confirm that your pool needs a permit
Read note 1: a prefabricated pool accessory to a single family or two-family dwelling needs no permit only if its wall is completely above adjacent grade, it holds no more than 5,000 gallons and it is less than 24 inches (610mm) deep. All other pools require a permit.
Check for related permits and drawings
Per notes 2 to 4, a backwash drain water filler or services that must be moved requires a Swimming Pool Permit, electrical or plumbing work needs its own permit, and a pool inside or on top of a building needs engineering drawings.
Mark the completed permit application
Check item 1, Completed permit application, only when you have actually supplied it. Checking each box states that your information is correct and complete.
Prepare two site plan copies
For item 2 and detail a, draw the plan to scale and dimension it, with text of at least 3/32" on a sheet of at least 11"x17". Prepare two (2) copies.
Show property and structures
Add the north arrow (b), all property lines (c), the pool specifications (d) and the outline of all structures with front, side and rear yard setbacks (e).
Show the pool and equipment
For detail f, draw the footprint of the pool and mark the location of the filter and pump, pool heater and other accessory equipment.
Show easements and the barrier
For detail g, mark all easements and platted building lines. For detail h, show the fence, wall or other barrier that encloses the pool.
Describe the alarm or self-closing option
For detail i, describe the alarm system for all doors and gates into the pool enclosure (a cut sheet copy works), or the self-closing, self-latching alternative, as the Dallas Building Code requires.
Print your name, sign and date
In the Acknowledgement, print your name after "I,", then sign and date to confirm you have read the information and provided all required documents.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that every item is supplied and legible, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and assemble the package described under How to submit.
How to submit Swimming Pool Permit Application – Dallas, TX
The checklist prints one contact point for the application: the City of Dallas Development Services Department, 320 E Jefferson Blvd, Dallas TX 75203, telephone (214) 948-4480. It names no mailing, online or appointment channel, so call the department to confirm how and where to deliver the package.
Whatever channel you use, assemble the package first:
- the completed permit application;
- two (2) copies of the site plan with every detail a through i;
- engineering drawings, if the pool is inside or on top of a building.
The checklist states that staff cannot accept incomplete or illegible documents. Sign and date the acknowledgement before you deliver it. If you must re-submit, include a new application, the original application, complete plans and a new checklist. A fee is not mentioned on the checklist; ask the department about it. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the agency's channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting incomplete or illegible documents; the checklist states that staff cannot accept them.
- Providing one copy of the site plan instead of the two (2) copies the checklist requires.
- Drawing the site plan without scale and dimensions, or on a sheet smaller than 11"x17", or with text smaller than 3/32".
- Leaving out the alarm system description (or the self-closing, self-latching alternative) for doors and gates into the pool enclosure.
- Omitting the footprint of the filter, pump, pool heater or other accessory equipment, or the setbacks, easements and platted building lines.
- Assuming no permit is needed for a pool that does not meet all three limits: above adjacent grade, 5,000 gallons or less, and under 24 inches deep.
- Skipping the separate electrical or plumbing permit when that work accompanies the pool installation.
- Leaving out engineering drawings for a pool installed inside or on top of a building.
- Re-submitting only the missing items; a re-submittal needs a new application, the original application, complete plans and a new checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a swimming pool in Dallas?
Yes, for almost every pool. The City of Dallas checklist exempts only a prefabricated pool accessory to a single family or two-family dwelling whose wall is completely above adjacent grade, that holds no more than 5,000 gallons and is less than 24 inches deep. All other pools require a permit.
What goes on the site plan for a Dallas pool permit?
A scaled, dimensioned plan showing the north arrow, property lines, pool specifications, structure footprints with setbacks, the pool and equipment footprint, easements and platted building lines, the enclosing barrier, and the alarm or self-closing description. Submit two copies on at least 11"x17" paper.
How many copies of the site plan do I submit?
Two (2) copies. The checklist lists them as item 2, and each copy must include the details a through i. Staff cannot accept incomplete or illegible documents, so make both copies complete and readable.
Do I need engineering drawings for a pool?
Only if the pool is installed inside or on top of a building. In that case the checklist requires engineering drawings. For an ordinary ground-level installation, the checklist asks for the application and the two site plan copies.
Does pool work also need electrical or plumbing permits?
Yes, when electrical or plumbing work is done with the pool installation, it requires an electrical or plumbing permit. A Swimming Pool Permit is also needed if the plan includes a backwash drain water filler or services that must be moved.
What happens if my pool permit application is incomplete?
You will be notified of the deficiency. If you do not supply the information, the application may be delayed, denied and eventually discarded. Re-submittal needs a new application, the original application, complete plans and a new checklist, and it is processed in order of receipt as a new application.
Where do I contact the Dallas office about pool permits?
The checklist lists the Development Services Department at 320 E Jefferson Blvd, Dallas TX 75203, telephone (214) 948-4480. It names no other delivery channel, so call that number to confirm how to submit your package.
Can I fill out the Dallas pool permit checklist online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, not connected to the City of Dallas, and it does not file or submit the application; you deliver it through the department's channels.
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