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Knoxville, TN Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Swimming pool permit rules in Knoxville, TN, also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations, set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.

Key Facts

Permit required
Yes, before pool construction begins
Expiration under $500k
1 year from issuance
Expiration $500k–$20M
2 years from issuance
Fees
Set by City Council Fee Schedule

Summary

Knoxville requires a building permit before constructing a residential pool, issued under the adopted International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, with expiration tied to the project's dollar valuation.

Delete the text of Section 105.5 Expiration in its entirety and substitute the following: Every permit shall become invalid after the following timeframes based on the project valuation: Valuation less than $500,000 will expire in 1 calendar year from permit issuance. Valuation $500,000 to $20,000,000 will expire in 2 calendar years from permit issuance. Valuation exceeding $20,000,000 will expire in 3 calendar years from permit issuance.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).

Full Breakdown

The city's amendments to the swimming pool code (Sec. 6-55.01) rewrite the ISPSC's own permit-expiration rule: a pool permit valued under $500,000 becomes invalid one calendar year after issuance, permits valued $500,000 to $20,000,000 expire after two years, and larger permits after three years. Fees are set separately through the City Council's adopted Fee Schedule rather than the code's own fee table, and anyone who starts pool construction before the permit issues owes those fees on top of the standard permit cost.

Violations & Fines

Building a pool without a permit adds the standard permit fee under the amended § 109.4, plus exposure to the Code's general penalty of up to a $50 fine, $500 in costs, and 30 days in jail (§ 1-9).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a Knoxville pool permit valid?
One calendar year from issuance for projects valued under $500,000, two years for $500,000–$20,000,000, and three years above that, per § 6-55.01.
What happens if I build a pool before getting a permit?
You still owe the standard permit fee under § 6-55.01's amendment to § 109.4, on top of the required permit itself.

Sources & Official References

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All Knoxville rules

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