Pool Permit Cost in Arlington, TX (2026)
Residential swimming pool permit fees for the City of Arlington, Texas (Tarrant County, in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex), pulled directly from the city's Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule effective October 1, 2025. Arlington prices an in-ground swimming pool building permit as a flat $325.00 (spa included) - the same at any pool size or value, because it is a single flat line, not a valuation-based fee - and adds a non-refundable 35% plan review fee of $113.75, for $438.75. An above-ground pool is a flat $200.00 plus $70.00 plan review, for $270.00. Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing trade permits are each a separate flat $100.00, and a pool safety-barrier fence is a separate $50.00. Texas has no statewide permit levy.
This guide covers: The City of Arlington (Tarrant County) residential swimming pool permit fee as printed on the Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule effective October 1, 2025 (Resolution No. 25-258, Exhibit A) - a flat $325.00 in-ground swimming pool building permit (spa included) and a flat $200.00 above-ground pool. Those figures are exact from the schedule and are the same whether the pool is a small plunge pool or a large in-ground pool, because they are single flat lines rather than valuation-based fees.
Trade permits are separate: the $325.00 figure is the building permit for the pool. On Arlington's schedule, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing trade permits associated with a building permit are each a separate flat $100.00 - they are added to the building fee, not bundled into it. A pool's bonding/equipment electrical is the most common of these. A pool safety-barrier fence is a separate $50.00 flat line.
Plan review (our reading): Arlington adds a non-refundable plan review fee of 35% of the building permit fee on items its schedule marks for plan review (including in-ground and above-ground swimming pools); confirm with Arlington Planning and Development Services. Under that reading an in-ground pool adds $325.00 x 35% = $113.75 ($438.75 total) and an above-ground pool adds $200.00 x 35% = $70.00 ($270.00 total). The 35% is calculated on the building permit only, not on trade permits; the pool-barrier fence line is not marked for plan review.
This guide does NOT cover: pool construction cost, water/wastewater impact fees, zoning or Unified Development Code fees, gas-line permitting for a pool heater, irrigation, HOA approvals, or setback questions. These are separate schedules and are not included in the $438.75.
A residential in-ground swimming pool permit in Arlington, TX totals $438.75: a flat $325.00 building permit (spa included) plus a non-refundable 35% plan review fee of $113.75 - the same at any pool size or value. An above-ground pool is $270.00 ($200.00 + $70.00 plan review). Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing trade permits are each a separate $100.00, and a pool safety-barrier fence is a separate $50.00. The plan review reflects our reading that pools are marked for plan review; confirm with Planning and Development Services. Texas adds no state levy. Figures are from the City of Arlington fee schedule effective October 1, 2025.
- Arlington charges a flat $325.00 for an in-ground swimming pool building permit (spa included) - the same fee regardless of pool size or construction value, because it is a single flat line, not a valuation-based schedule. An above-ground pool is a flat $200.00.
- Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing trade permits are each a separate flat $100.00 on Arlington's schedule. They are added to the $325.00 pool building permit, not bundled into it; a pool's bonding/equipment electrical is the most common add.
- A pool safety-barrier fence is a separate $50.00 flat line - distinct from the pool building permit and from a standard residential fence ($50.00 each).
- On our reading of the schedule, pools are marked for Arlington's non-refundable 35% plan review: $113.75 on an in-ground pool ($438.75 total) and $70.00 on an above-ground pool ($270.00 total). Confirm with Planning and Development Services.
- Texas has no statewide percentage permit levy - unlike Virginia's 2% USBC add-on - and Arlington's only percentage charge on the pool permit is the 35% plan review.
- For context among verified Texas cities: Arlington's $325.00 in-ground pool permit line sits below Denton's $378 and above Longview's $305 and Beaumont's $225 building line; with the 35% plan review, Arlington's $438.75 total is the highest of the four - and each city bundles or excludes trades and review differently.
Arlington Pool Permit Fee Structure
The pool building permit is a single flat line, priced the same regardless of pool size or value, plus a 35% plan review on that line. Trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) are separate flat $100.00 fees, and the pool barrier fence is a separate $50.00 line. There is no valuation calculation on the pool line, no technology surcharge, and no statewide levy.
| Item | Fee | How It Is Calculated |
|---|---|---|
| In-ground swimming pool building permit | $325.00 | Flat fee from the "Swimming Pool in-ground (1&2 family, spa included)" line - same at any pool size or value. |
| Above-ground swimming pool | $200.00 | Flat fee from the "Swimming Pool above-ground" line. |
| Electrical / mechanical / plumbing trade permit | $100.00 each | Separate flat trade permit added to the building fee - not bundled. Pool bonding/equipment electrical is the most common. |
| Pool safety-barrier fence | $50.00 | Separate flat line ("Swimming Pool Barrier fence") - distinct from the pool permit; no plan review under our reading. |
| Plan review (35% of the building permit fee) | $113.75 / $70.00 | Non-refundable, assessed at submittal: $325.00 x 35% = $113.75 (in-ground, $438.75 total); $200.00 x 35% = $70.00 (above-ground, $270.00 total). Applied on our reading that pools are marked for plan review - confirm with the city. |
| State / city percentage levy | None | Texas has no statewide permit levy; Arlington's only percentage charge on a pool is the 35% plan review above. |
Source: City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule, effective October 1, 2025 (Resolution No. 25-258, Exhibit A). Arlington adds a non-refundable plan review fee of 35% of the building permit fee on items its schedule marks for plan review (including in-ground and above-ground swimming pools); confirm with Arlington Planning and Development Services.
Worked Examples - Real Pool Projects in Arlington
Because the pool building permit is a flat fee, the permit cost does not change with pool size or value. What adds to the total is the separate trade permits. Figures are from the city fee schedule effective October 1, 2025.
A homeowner pulls only the pool building permit; the pool contractor handles any trade permits separately.
- In-ground swimming pool building permit (spa included): $325.00
- Plan review (35% x $325.00): $113.75
- Texas state levy: $0.00 (none)
- Pool permit total: $438.75 (before trades)
The same $438.75 applies whether the pool is small or large - it is a flat line, not valuation-based. The plan review is applied on our reading that pools are marked for plan review; confirm with Planning and Development Services.
A new in-ground pool whose bonding/equipment electrical is pulled as a separate residential trade permit.
- In-ground swimming pool building permit: $325.00
- Plan review (35% x $325.00): $113.75
- Electrical trade permit: $100.00
- Pool + electrical: $538.75
Whether a separate mechanical or plumbing permit is also required depends on your pool's scope (each would add $100.00). The 35% plan review is calculated on the $325.00 building permit only, not on the trade permit (our reading). Confirm with Planning and Development Services.
Two homeowners, one building an in-ground pool and one an above-ground pool, each pulling the building permit only.
- In-ground pool - $325.00 permit + $113.75 plan review: $438.75
- Above-ground pool - $200.00 permit + $70.00 plan review: $270.00
- Difference: $168.75
Each is a flat line plus the 35% plan review (our reading), so the cost is identical regardless of size within its type; the building-permit lines alone differ by $125.00. Only the separate trade permits and any barrier fence would add to either total. Confirm current fees with Planning and Development Services.
When This Estimate May Not Apply
The $438.75 ($325.00 flat line + $113.75 plan review) covers the in-ground pool building permit itself on Arlington's October 1, 2025 schedule. Route your project to Arlington Planning and Development Services before relying on this figure if any of the following applies:
- Trade permits are permitted separately. Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing are each a $100.00 residential trade permit, not included in the $325.00 pool building permit or its plan review.
- Plan review is our reading. Arlington adds a non-refundable plan review fee of 35% of the building permit fee on items its schedule marks for plan review (including in-ground and above-ground swimming pools); confirm with Arlington Planning and Development Services. If the City does not assess it on your pool, the in-ground figure would be the $325.00 permit line alone.
- Your pool needs a safety barrier. A pool safety-barrier fence is a separate $50.00 flat line; Texas requires a compliant barrier around a residential pool.
- Your pool has a gas heater. Gas-line work may be permitted as a separate trade permit - a question for the department.
- Impact or utility fees apply. Water/wastewater impact, zoning/UDC, and irrigation fees are on separate schedules and are not part of the pool permit.
- The schedule is updated. These figures are exact from the schedule effective October 1, 2025, but a city can amend fees by resolution - confirm before filing.
Trade permits, barrier fence, gas-heater, and impact fees are excluded from the pool permit total on this page, and the page-standard disclaimer applies - always verify with Arlington Planning and Development Services before budgeting.
Arlington Pool Permit Cost vs Other Verified Texas Cities
Texas cities price pool permits on different models - flat building permits, valuation-based fees, and flat fees that bundle or exclude trades. The table below compares Arlington's flat in-ground pool building permit with other verified Texas cities. Scope differs, so each figure notes its basis.
| City | Pool Fee Basis | In-Ground Pool Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington, TX | Flat $325 + 35% plan review ($113.75); trades separate ($100 ea) | $438.75 |
| Denton, TX | Flat pool line; electrical separate | $378.00 |
| Longview, TX | Flat building permit; electrical separate | $305.00 |
| Beaumont, TX | Flat $225 + $50 pool plan review; MEP separate | $225.00 |
Scope note: Arlington's $438.75 is a flat $325.00 in-ground pool line plus its 35% plan review ($113.75), with electrical/mechanical/plumbing ($100 each) separate. Denton's $378, Longview's $305, and Beaumont's $225 building line all bill pool trades separately as well (Beaumont's building line plus its $50 pool plan review is $275). On the permit line alone, Arlington's $325.00 sits below Denton and above Longview and Beaumont; with plan review included, Arlington is the highest of the four. Confirm current figures and trade treatment with each department.
See Arlington's full residential fee schedule, or compare a nearby Metroplex city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who to Contact
| Department | City of Arlington - Planning and Development Services (Permitting & Inspections) |
| Location | City of Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex) |
| City website | arlingtontx.gov |
| Fee schedule | Arlington Fee Schedule (Effective October 1, 2025) |
Sources
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City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule (Effective October 1, 2025, Resolution No. 25-258, Exhibit A) Arlington, TX (.gov) - the city's official fee schedule PDF. Primary source for the $325.00 in-ground pool building permit, $200.00 above-ground pool, $100.00 electrical/mechanical/plumbing trade permits, $50.00 pool barrier fence, and the 35% single- and two-family plan review fee. Read October 6, 2026 exact - effective October 1, 2025
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Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 214 Texas statute (.gov) confirming municipal building-regulation authority and that Texas imposes no statewide percentage building-permit levy. Context for the "no statewide levy" statement. Verified June 2026.