Anne Arundel County, MD Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)
Swimming pool permit rules in Anne Arundel County, MD, also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations, set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- in-ground and 24"+ deep pools
- Exempt
- prefab pools under 24" deep
- Application fee
- $43 flat, nonrefundable
- Electrical permit fee
- $69 for residential pool
- Max fine, unlawful continuance
- $1,000 civil fine
Summary
Anne Arundel County requires a Construction Code permit before building a residential swimming pool, unless the pool is a prefabricated model less than 24 inches deep.
105.1 Required. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the use, tenant, or occupancy of a building or structure...shall first make application to the Code Official and obtain the required permit. ... 105.2 Work exempt from permit...Permits shall not be required for the following: ... 105.2.1.8 Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-93: County Code is current through May, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under the Construction and Property Maintenance Codes Supplement to Article 15, anyone who intends to construct a permanent swimming pool must first apply to the Code Official and obtain a building permit (§ 105.1). Pool construction is governed by the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, adopted by the County under § 15-2-105. Only prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep are exempt from the permit requirement (§ 105.2.1.8): any in-ground or deeper above-ground pool needs one. Building permit fees run on the estimated-value table in § 108.2.1, plus a flat $69 electrical permit fee for residential swimming pools under § 108.2.3.8, on top of the $43 nonrefundable application fee.
Violations & Fines
Building a pool without a required permit is a Construction Code violation. The Code Official can issue a stop-work order halting the work, and continuing work after being served with one carries a civil fine of up to $1,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a pool in Glen Burnie or Severna Park?
Is any pool exempt from the permit?
What happens if I build a pool without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anne Arundel County
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