Saint Paul, MN Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)
Swimming pool permit rules in Saint Paul, MN, also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations, set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.
Key Facts
- Building permit
- required before pool construction
- Electrical permit
- separate permit required for pool circuits
- Electrical fee
- $85 plus circuit charge
- Building permit fee
- starts at $36 for first $500 value
- Late-start penalty
- fee doubled if work begins early
- Plan review fee
- 65% of permit fee over $1,000 valuation
Summary
Building a residential swimming pool in Saint Paul requires a building permit from the building official under Section 33.03(a), plus a separate electrical permit, Section 33.04 sets a flat $85 fee for swimming pools plus a circuit charge, before any pool wiring or construction can begin.
(a)Building and general construction. No person shall construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure without first obtaining a building permit from the building official. Permits for building or general construction are not required for repairs for maintenance only or for minor alterations provided they are not required under the state building code, this chapter or other pertinent provisions of the Saint Paul Legislative Code, and provided the cost of such repairs and minor alterations does not exceed the present market value of five hundred dollars ($500.00)... j.Swimming pools: Eighty-five dollars ($85.00) plus circuit charge.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 133 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
03(a) of the Saint Paul Legislative Code requires a building permit from the building official before anyone can 'construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure', a definition that covers residential swimming pools as accessory structures, unless the work qualifies for the minor-repair exemption under $500 in value. 03(d) requires its own electrical permit before that wiring work begins. 04 lists swimming pools specifically among its electrical permit items: eighty-five dollars plus a circuit charge. 00. 04(a), starting pool construction before the permit is issued does not excuse the fee, the code requires collecting the normal fee plus an equal penalty fee on top of it. 923, which the building official checks as part of permit review.
Violations & Fines
Constructing a swimming pool without first obtaining the building permit and electrical permit required by Section 33.03 is a Legislative Code violation; Section 33.04(a) requires the specified fee plus an equal penalty fee where work starts before the permit issues, and separately, any violation of Chapter 33 is a misdemeanor under Section 61.901, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine or 90 days imprisonment under Section 1.05.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to install an in-ground pool in Saint Paul?
How much does an electrical permit cost for a swimming pool?
What happens if I start building a pool before getting the permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Saint Paul
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