Kirkwood, MO Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

Kirkwood Code of Ordinances § 5-6b states that 'the provisions of the "2021 Swimming Pool and Spa Code," as modified, are hereby adopted as the City of Kirkwood Swimming Pool and Spa Code,' with the modified text and adopting ordinance on file with the City Clerk. That adopted code governs construction, equipment and installation standards for a new residential pool or spa, and a building permit is required before construction the same way it is for other structures under Chapter 5. Kirkwood layers a fencing requirement on top of the pool code: § 5-38(e), in the fence article, provides that 'swimming pools shall be enclosed by a barrier in accordance with the City's Property Maintenance Code,' tying pool enclosure directly to the adopted 2021 International Property Maintenance Code standards under § 5-22 rather than to the general six-foot fence-height cap that applies elsewhere in the city.

Permit fees for pool construction run through the same Chapter 5, Article VIII fee schedule used for other building permits, with the total estimated fee due in advance under § 5-209 and the Building Official authorized under § 5-210 to estimate construction cost by square footage or unit pricing when a contract price isn't submitted. A residential site restoration escrow of $5,000, fully refundable on final inspection and Public Services acceptance, applies under § 5-217's Table 3 to construction projects disturbing the site, which can include pool excavation work.