Swimming Pool permit in Knoxville, TN
It depends — some swimming pool work in Knoxville needs a permit, some doesn't.
Only a prefabricated pool less than 24 inches deep skips the permit. Any in-ground pool, or an above-ground pool 24 inches deep or more, needs a permit under Knoxville's adopted 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, and the required barrier rules apply.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | From 24 in deep |
| Fee | Building permit fees are set in the city Fee Schedule adopted by City Council resolution; the code lists no fixed amount. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 6-55 (ISPSC 2024 adopted); IRC R105.2 for the prefab exemption |
| Based on | International Swimming Pool and Spa Code 2024 (Knoxville Sec. 6-55), with the Tennessee IRC 2018 prefab exemption |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Knoxville building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
If you skip it
Starting building work before the permit is issued means extra fees on top of the required permit fee (Section 109.4 as amended).
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | — | Depends | From 24 in deep |
| Farragut | 14 mi | Depends | From 24 in deep |
| Morristown | 40 mi | Depends | From 24 in deep |
| Kingsport | 87 mi | Depends | From 24 in deep |
| Johnson City | 91 mi | Depends | From 24 in deep |
| Chattanooga | 96 mi | Depends | From 24 in deep |
Other work in Knoxville
Questions people ask
My swimming pool is right at the limit. Does that count?
The exemption has to fit exactly — if the code says a size or height, being at or under it keeps you exempt, and going a single inch over doesn't. When you're close to the line, measure before you buy materials, and call the department if the number is borderline.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Knoxville can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.