The Swimming Pool Permit Checklist is the City of Dallas checklist that sets out which pools need a permit and which documents and site plan details a swimming pool or spa permit application must include. It is one of the resources behind a Dallas permit application for a pool, and it tells you when electrical or plumbing permits and engineering drawings are also required. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original checklist is published by the City of Dallas at the official link.
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What is Swimming Pool Permit Checklist – Dallas, TX?
The Swimming Pool Permit Checklist is the City of Dallas checklist, titled on the form Swimming Pool/Spa Permit Application Checklist and Required Documents, that lists which pools need a permit and the documents and site plan details to include with a pool permit application.
The checklist opens with four notes. A prefabricated pool accessory to a single family or two-family dwelling does not need a pool permit when the pool wall is completely above adjacent grade, the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the depth is less than 24 inches (610mm); all other pools require a permit. A pool plan that includes a backwash drain water filler, or services that must be moved, needs a Swimming Pool Permit. Electrical or plumbing work done with the installation requires an electrical or plumbing permit. A pool installed inside or on top of a building requires engineering drawings.
It then gives a nine-point site plan list, items a through i, each with a check box: scale and dimensions, north arrow, property lines, pool specifications, structure footprints and setbacks, the pool and equipment footprint, easements and platted building lines, the barrier around the pool, and a description of the alarm system or the self-closing, self-latching alternative.
The form header prints the Planning & Development Department, 320 E Jefferson Blvd, Dallas TX 75203, and the phone number (214) 948-4480. The checklist is not the permit itself: it covers only what the application must contain.
Who needs to file Swimming Pool Permit Checklist – Dallas, TX?
Property owners or contractors in Dallas who plan to install a swimming pool or spa that needs a permit use this checklist to assemble the application. The checklist states that all pools require a permit except one narrow case.
- Exempt pools: a prefabricated pool accessory to a single family or two-family dwelling, with the pool wall completely above adjacent grade, a capacity of no more than 5,000 gallons and a depth of less than 24 inches (610mm), does not require a pool permit.
- Pools with a backwash drain water filler or services that must be moved: these plans need a Swimming Pool Permit.
- Pools with electrical or plumbing work: that work requires an electrical or plumbing permit in addition.
- Pools inside or on top of a building: engineering drawings are required.
The checklist does not say who may sign or submit the application for the owner.
When to file Swimming Pool Permit Checklist – Dallas, TX
Use the checklist when you prepare a swimming pool or spa permit application, because it lists what the application must contain. The form prints no deadline or processing time of its own. It applies to every pool except the small prefabricated pool described in its first note, which does not need a pool permit. If your plan includes a backwash drain water filler or services that must be moved, you need a Swimming Pool Permit, and any electrical or plumbing work with the installation needs its own permit. Gather the site plan and any engineering drawings before you apply, since staff cannot accept incomplete or illegible documents.
Documents you need
- Site plan drawn to scale and dimensioned, with a north arrow and all property lines.
- Site plan items showing swimming pool specifications and the footprint (outline) of all structures with front, side and rear yard setbacks.
- Site plan showing the footprint of the pool and the location of the filter and pump, pool heater and other accessory equipment.
- Site plan showing all easements and platted building lines, and the fence, wall or other barrier enclosing the pool.
- Description of the alarm system for all doors and gates into the pool enclosure (may be a copy of a system "cut sheet"), or the alternative of self-closing, self-latching doors and gates, as required by the Dallas Building Code.
- Engineering drawings, only if the pool is installed inside or on top of a building.
- Electrical or plumbing permit, only if electrical or plumbing work is done with the pool installation.
How to fill out Swimming Pool Permit Checklist – Dallas, TX
Check whether your pool needs a permit
Read note 1: only a prefabricated pool accessory to a single family or two-family dwelling, with the wall completely above adjacent grade, no more than 5,000 gallons and under 24 inches deep, is exempt. All other pools require a permit.
Note backwash drain or moved services
Note 2 says a plan that includes a backwash drain water filler or services that must be moved needs a Swimming Pool Permit.
Plan for electrical or plumbing permits
Under note 3, any electrical or plumbing work done with the installation requires an electrical or plumbing permit.
Add engineering drawings if needed
Under note 4, a pool installed inside or on top of a building requires engineering drawings.
Draw the site plan basics
Check items a, b and c: drawn to scale and dimensioned, north arrow, and all property lines.
Add pool specifications and structures
Check item d for the swimming pool specifications and item e for the footprint of all structures showing placement and front, side and rear yard setbacks.
Show the pool and equipment footprint
Check item f: the footprint of the pool and the location of the filter and pump, pool heater and other accessory equipment.
Mark easements and building lines
Check item g: the location of all easements and platted building lines.
Show the enclosing barrier
Check item h: the location of the fence, wall or other barrier enclosing the swimming pool.
Describe the alarm or self-closing option
Check item i: a description of the alarm system for all doors and gates into the enclosure (a system cut sheet is allowed), or the self-closing, self-latching alternative.
Review and download the completed PDF
Confirm every item is complete and legible, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and assemble it with your application as described under How to submit.
How to submit Swimming Pool Permit Checklist – Dallas, TX
The checklist names no submission channel; it lists what the permit application must contain. The form header prints the Planning & Development Department, 320 E Jefferson Blvd, Dallas TX 75203, and the phone number (214) 948-4480, which you can call to ask how to submit the application.
Whatever channel you use, the checklist states that staff cannot accept incomplete or illegible documents, so check every site plan item (a through i) and any engineering drawings before sending. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the City of Dallas channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting incomplete or illegible documents; the checklist says staff cannot accept them.
- Assuming no permit is needed for a pool that is larger than the exempt case: only a prefabricated pool with its wall completely above grade, up to 5,000 gallons and under 24 inches deep is exempt.
- Leaving out engineering drawings for a pool installed inside or on top of a building.
- Drawing the site plan without scale and dimensions, a north arrow or all property lines.
- Omitting the filter, pump, pool heater or other accessory equipment from the site plan.
- Not showing easements, platted building lines or the fence, wall or barrier enclosing the pool.
- Leaving out the alarm system description for doors and gates, or the self-closing, self-latching alternative.
- Treating the pool permit as covering electrical or plumbing work; that work requires its own permit.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Dallas permit for a swimming pool?
Usually yes. The checklist says all pools require a permit except a prefabricated pool accessory to a single family or two-family dwelling with the wall completely above adjacent grade, capacity of no more than 5,000 gallons and depth under 24 inches (610mm).
What must the pool permit site plan include?
Items a through i: scale and dimensions, north arrow, all property lines, pool specifications, structure footprints with setbacks, pool and equipment footprint, easements and platted building lines, the enclosing barrier, and the alarm or self-closing description.
Are engineering drawings required for a pool permit?
Only if the pool is installed inside or on top of a building. The checklist states that engineering drawings are required in that case, in addition to the site plan items it lists.
Does the pool permit cover electrical and plumbing work?
No. The checklist says electrical or plumbing work done in association with the pool installation requires an electrical or plumbing permit, separate from the swimming pool permit.
What are the alarm and gate requirements on the checklist?
Item i asks for a description of the alarm system on all doors and gates into the pool enclosure, which may be a copy of a system cut sheet, or the alternative of self-closing, self-latching doors and gates as the Dallas Building Code requires.
What happens if my pool permit documents are incomplete?
Staff cannot accept them. The checklist states that incomplete or illegible documents are not accepted, so complete every site plan item and attach any required engineering drawings first.
Can I fill out the Swimming Pool Permit Checklist online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, not the City of Dallas, and does not submit anything; you follow the City's channels to apply.
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