Prince George's County, MD Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)
Swimming pool permit rules in Prince George's County, MD, also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations, set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.
Key Facts
- Permit exempt only if
- Prefab, under 24 in. deep, 5,000 gal
- In-ground pool permit fee
- $297 plus admin/grading/MNCPPC fees
- Above-ground pool permit fee
- $132 plus admin/grading/MNCPPC fees
- Grading permit trigger
- 5,000 sq ft or 100 cubic yards
- Barrier still required
- Section 4-209 fence rules apply
- Unpermitted pool fine
- $1,000 per violation, per day
Summary
Prince George's County requires a DPIE building permit to construct almost any residential swimming pool. Section 4-244 exempts only small prefabricated above-ground pools under 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons with a four-foot fence; everything larger, including any in-ground pool, needs a permit costing $297 in-ground or $132 above-ground under the county's Table of Fees.
(h)Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a one- and two-family dwelling occupancy (not any other use group or public swimming pool) that are less than 24 inches deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground provided a four-foot fence is installed around the pool perimeter. ... Table of Fees, § 2-253.63: "Swimming Pool (Above-ground/Restoration) - Residential $132 Total Fee = Administrative Fee $66 + Building Permit Fee ($132) + $53 Grading Fee + $5 MNCPPC. Plus Technology Fee 10%" ... "Swimming Pool (In-ground) - Residential $297 Total Fee = Administrative Fee $66 + Building Permit Fee ($297) + $53 Grading Fee + $5 MNCPPC. Plus Technology Fee 10%"
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2026 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Under Section 4-244(a)(1)(h), a prefabricated swimming pool counts as exempt from a county building permit only if it is accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling, is not deeper than 24 inches, holds no more than 5,000 gallons, sits entirely above ground, and is surrounded by a four-foot fence. Any pool that misses one of those thresholds, including every in-ground pool and any larger above-ground pool, needs a Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement building permit before construction starts. 63, Attachment A, prices a residential in-ground pool permit at $297 and a residential above-ground pool or restoration permit at $132, each on top of the county's $66 administrative fee, $53 grading fee, and $5 M-NCPPC fee, plus a 10% technology surcharge.
If excavating or backfilling for the pool disturbs more than 5,000 square feet of land, moves more than 100 cubic yards of earth, or changes grade by more than twelve inches, Section 4-244(a)(1)(l) requires a separate grading permit under Subtitle 32-127. Once built, every permitted pool, in-ground or not, still has to meet the barrier and fencing standards in Section 4-209, and DPIE will not sign off on final inspection until that barrier is in place.
Violations & Fines
Building a pool without the required permit is treated the same as any other unpermitted construction under Section 4-116: a $1,000 civil fine per violation, with each day the unpermitted pool remains in place or under construction counted as a separate offense, due within 30 days and collectible as a property lien if unpaid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for an above-ground pool in PG County?
How much does an in-ground pool permit cost in Prince George's County?
Does digging for a pool ever require a separate grading permit?
Can I use my pool before the fence is inspected?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince George's County
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