Swimming Pool permit in New Braunfels, TX
It depends — some swimming pool work in New Braunfels needs a permit, some doesn't.
You need a permit for a pool unless it is a prefabricated pool less than 24 inches deep. The safety fence around a pool always needs its own permit, because pool barriers are left out of the fence exemption.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | From 24 in deep |
| Fee | Pool permit fees are $100.00 for an above-ground pool and $200.00 for an in-ground pool. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 14-29, amendment (b), IRC R105.2, Building items 5 and 9 |
| Based on | 2021 IRC as amended; the city also adopted the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (Sec. 14-40) |
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
New Braunfels'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Braunfels | — | Depends | From 24 in deep |
| San Antonio | 30 mi | Depends | From 24 in deep |
| Austin | 47 mi | Yes | From 24 in deep |
| Round Rock | 63 mi | Depends | From 24 in deep |
| Killeen | 98 mi | Yes | From 24 in deep |
| College Station | 125 mi | Depends | From 24 in deep |
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 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?
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.