Above-Ground Pool permit in Allen, TX
It depends — some above-ground pool work in Allen needs a permit, some doesn't.
Exempt only if pool is temporary in nature, less than 24 inches in depth, and has no mechanical circulation or heating equipment of any kind; a permanent or deeper pool, or one with a pump or heater, requires a permit
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Under 24 in deep |
| Fee | Permit fees established by resolution of City Council; plan review fees apply in addition to permit fees |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC R105.2 as amended by Sec. 3.05 (item 6) |
| Based on | IRC 2021 as amended |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Allen 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
Investigation fee equal to the permit fee collected whether or not a permit is subsequently issued (Sec. 109.8.1); unauthorized cover-up fee assessed for work concealed without inspection (Sec. 109.9)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allen | — | Depends | Under 24 in deep |
| Plano | 6 mi | Depends | From 24 in deep |
| Richardson | 10 mi | Yes | From 24 in deep |
| Mesquite | 25 mi | Yes | Over 18 in deep |
| Denton | 28 mi | Depends | Under 24 in deep |
| Killeen | 153 mi | Depends | Under 24 in deep |
Other work in Allen
Questions people ask
My above-ground 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?
Allen 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.