Canton, OH Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

Canton Codified Ordinances Chapter 1337 covers every outdoor pool in the city, defining a "family swimming pool" as an artificial body of water over eighteen inches deep or with 200 square feet of surface area used by the owner, lessee, family and invited guests without a fee, and a "public swimming pool" as one used collectively by numbers of people for swimming or recreative bathing. Under Section 1337.02, before work is commenced on the construction of either type of pool, or on any alteration, addition, remodeling or other improvement to an existing pool, the owner must submit an application for a permit along with plans, specifications and pertinent explanatory data to the Chief Building Official.

No part of the construction work may start until the Official has evidenced approval by a suitable endorsement on the submitted plans and has granted the permit itself. Section 1337.03 sets the fee for that permit, covering construction, alteration or remodeling of a swimming pool, at twenty-five dollars. Once a pool is built, it also triggers the separate fencing and walkway requirements of Sections 1337.04 and 1337.05, which the Chief Building Official checks as part of the same construction approval. The Building Department, which houses the Chief Building Official, is the office that issues the permit and inspects the work; homeowners typically pull the permit through that office before pouring any concrete or setting a pool shell in the ground.