Swimming Pool permit in Midland, TX
It depends — some swimming pool work in Midland needs a permit, some doesn't.
A prefabricated swimming pool that is less than 24 inches deep is exempt from a building permit under the IRC exemption Midland adopted (Building subsection 7). Any deeper pool, in-ground or above-ground, needs a permit. Either way, every outdoor pool must be completely surrounded by a fence or wall at least 4 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates (Sec. 4-5-5), so a barrier is mandatory regardless of the pool permit.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | From 24 in deep |
| Fee | The code does not print a dollar amount; fees are set in the current adopted Fee Schedule (R108.2). |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC R105.2 (Building, prefabricated pool item); Sec. 4-5-5 Gates and fences required |
| Based on | 2018 IRC as adopted by City of Midland (Sec. 4-11-2); Sec. 4-5-5 (pool barrier) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Midland 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
Midland's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midland | — | Depends | From 24 in deep |
| Abilene | 142 mi | Depends | From 24 in deep |
| Amarillo | 220 mi | Yes | You need a permit for a pool, in-ground or above-ground. … |
| El Paso | 253 mi | Depends | From 24 in deep |
| Killeen | 266 mi | Yes | From 24 in deep |
| San Antonio | 277 mi | Depends | From 24 in deep |
Other work in Midland
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?
Midland 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.