Austin requires permits for above-ground pools over 24 inches deep or 5,000 gallons. Structural, electrical, and barrier inspections apply, and impervious cover counts against zoning limits. Smaller inflatable pools under 24 inches deep are exempt.
Austin Development Services requires a building permit for above-ground pools over 24 inches deep or 5,000 gallons capacity, with plan review verifying: structural pad (4-inch concrete or engineered), setbacks (5 feet from property lines, 10 feet from structures), electrical bonding and GFCI-protected outlets per NEC Article 680, and barrier compliance (walls 48+ inches non-climbable with lockable ladders, or a separate fence). Equipment (pumps, heaters) must be at least 5 feet from pool walls or screened. The pool plus coping counts as impervious cover, typically 200–400 sf, against the 40–45% lot cap in SF zones. Portable inflatable pools under 24 inches deep and intended for temporary seasonal use are exempt from permit but not from barrier rules for persistent installations. Electrical inspection is required before filling — grounding, bonding of metal frame, and GFCI-protected receptacle within 20 feet. Austin Fire Code adds access rules; draining above-ground pools into storm drains is prohibited (Watershed Protection) — dechlorinated water must be used for landscape irrigation or dispersed on-site.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Austin code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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