Above-Ground Pool permit in New Braunfels, TX
It depends — some above-ground pool work in New Braunfels needs a permit, some doesn't.
Prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep are exempt from permit; permit required for pools 24 inches deep or more (exemption does not apply if property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area)
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | From 24 in deep |
| Fee | Above ground pool permit: $100.00 (Appendix D, Sec. B fee schedule) |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | R105.2 Building item 5 (city amendment, Sec. 14-29(b)); Appendix D Sec. B (pool permit fee) |
| Based on | 2021 IRC as amended by City of New Braunfels (Ord. No. 2023-76; Ord. No. 2025-74) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the New Braunfels 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
Work without permit — residential: double permit fee per lot, $500.00 maximum per lot
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Braunfels | — | Depends | From 24 in deep |
| San Antonio | 30 mi | Depends | Under 24 in deep |
| Austin | 47 mi | Depends | From 24 in deep |
| Killeen | 98 mi | Depends | Under 24 in deep |
| Sugar Land | 149 mi | Depends | Under 24 in deep |
| Conroe | 163 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in New Braunfels
- Fence Depends
- Deck Depends
- Shed Depends
- Swimming Pool Depends
- Roof Replacement Yes
- Water Heater Yes
- HVAC Replacement Yes
- Electrical Panel Yes
- Demolition —
- Driveway —
- Tree Removal —
- Sign Depends
- Short-Term Rental Yes
- ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Yes
- Garage Depends
- Basement —
- Above-Ground Pool Depends
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?
New Braunfels 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.