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

Jefferson County adopted the 2015 International Residential Code with local amendments codified at Code of Ordinances Section 500.400. The amended Section R105.2, "Work Exempt from Permit," lists the narrow categories of construction that do not need a permit, including item 7: prefabricated swimming pools under 24 inches deep. Any pool that exceeds that depth, or any pool that is not prefabricated, falls outside the exemption and requires a permit from the Code Official before construction begins. The companion swimming pool ordinance, Article XI's Section 500.480 (2015 Swimming Pool and Spa Code amendments), deletes the model code's own permit-application sections (105.6, 105.6.1-105.6.3) and redirects applicants to the general Building Code permit and fee mechanics at Sections 500.065, 500.250 and 500.300, so pool permits are processed exactly like other building permits rather than under a separate pool-specific procedure.

Under Section 500.250's fee schedule, item 13 sets swimming pool permit fees on a sliding scale by cost of construction, starting at $125.00 for pools costing $0 to $1,000.00 and rising through tiers such as $220.00 for $3,001.00 to $5,000.00 and $300.00 for $7,501.00 to $15,000.00, up to higher tiers for larger installations. Section 500.065 caps the time to complete permitted work at one year from issuance, with a discretionary one-year extension for reasonable cause; work that is not completed empowers the Code Official to disconnect utility service.

Zoning-side setback rules layered on top of the permit requirement (Section 400.2770(D)(5)) require a permitted pool to meet a 15-foot rear yard setback and the applicable side yard setback, measured from the outside pool wall, and pools on corner lots must sit behind the primary structure and at least 15 feet from side property lines.