Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs

All pools require a permit unless they meet the following three criteria:

Less than 150 square feet
Less than 5000 gallon capacity
24” deep or less

The process for obtaining a residential pool permit can be completed entirely and easily online. All necessary permit forms can be found below and submitted electronically. You can also apply for a pool permit in person.

Pool or Hot Tub Permit

The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, which incorporates the Virginia Residential Code (VRC), establishes minimum regulations to govern the construction of buildings and structures. The specific requirements for the installation of pools, spas, and hot tubs are covered in the VRC Chapter 42. Other sections may also apply for the installation of pool heaters, supply tanks, piping , etc.

Land disturbance greater than 2,500 square feet will require a Land-Disturbing permit. Disturbed area includes the construction area, pool area including apron and equipment areas, travel areas for equipment, construction entrances, soil and material stockpiles. For residential projects, the Land Disturbing permit can be included with the Building permit. Securities are required to be posted prior to the issuance of a Land-Disturbing permit.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

When applying for a pool permit, the following documents are required:

Permit Application – online applicants do not need to submit the paper application.
Pool Fence Affidavit
Construction Plan
Site Plan
Owner Affidavit and/or Contractors Affidavits

Please note that when applying in person, construction documents must be submitted on a disk in PDF format.

POOL FENCE AFFIDAVIT/BARRIER REQUIREMENTS

Pools require barriers be designed and installed in accordance with the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
Contractors and Property Owners should read and understand Safety Barrier Guidelines for Residential Pools prior to signing the Pool Fence Affidavit.
In situations where existing, adjacent physical structures (rocks, ledges, decks, fences, landscaping outcrops, ) are in such a position where they can be used to climb over or otherwise defeat the intent of the required pool barriers, the barriers must be relocated or otherwise modified to meet the intent of the Code. In addition, if after the barrier is installed a structure is constructed which causes the barrier requirements to be compromised, it is the responsibility of the pool owner to notify the constructor of the problem and pursue whatever course of action necessary to ensure all barrier requirements are restored to meet the intent of the Code.
Temporary barriers erected during construction activities must be structurally sound and prevent unsupervised access until the permanent barrier is in place. Fiberglass type pools require filling with water when set in place, and as such, barriers must be in place at that time. Barriers must meet basic height and opening requirements indicated in 2018 VRS Chapter 42 “Swimming Pools” and be secured to grade around the perimeter to prevent access. Points for access in the barrier or points where the barrier can be joined together and closed must be done at structural supports. During construction activities when the barrier is opened or otherwise compromised, the site must be continuously supervised by a responsible person. Until the permanent barrier is in place, the temporary barrier must be maintained. If, during construction, a barrier meeting these requirements is not in place, no inspections will be made and a Stop Work Order will be posted. The Stop Work Order will not be removed until all required fees are paid and a barrier inspection approved. Depending on the extent of the hazard, the County may have the pool drained if immediate action is not taken and will not be responsible for damages resulting from this action.
To ensure that specific responsibility is assigned for the installation of safety barriers during the construction / installation processes of above ground and in ground swimming pools and after the pool completed, a “Pool Fence Affidavit” must be signed by the property owner and contractor and submitted as part of the permit application. This signed affidavit removes any ambiguity as to barrier requirement responsibility, specifically during the construction processes but also after construction is completed.

CONSTRUCTION PLAN REQUIREMENTS

Construction plans must meet the following requirements:

Gunite pools require engineer sealed plan.
- Plans must provide layout and specs for the pool walls, floor, and steel reinforcement.
- Plans must be site/shape specific, unless noted otherwise by design engineer. Engineer to provide limits of free form designs.
- Plans must specify the equipotential bonding requirements per NEC Article 680.
Vinyl and Fiberglass pools require a pool layout and installation specs from the manufacturer.
- Submit the code evaluation report, listed and testing specs, or RDP sealed pool plans for the model being installed.
Specifications on drain covers must be listed and labeled and dated per APSP7 for suction entrapment avoidance. All circulation piping and fittings must be installed to provide suction entrapment avoidance.
Soils analysis based on manufactured pool specification when required per specs.
Swim Spas and Hot Tubs require the manufacture’s installation specs.
- Provide details for the base the unit is to sit on, if not included in the manufacture’s installation specs.
- Units placed on a deck or elevated floor structure require engineer sealed design for the supporting deck/floor system due to the increased floor loads.

SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS

Site plans must show:

All easements,
- Pool structure shall not encroach into any easement(s).
All existing structures,
All retaining walls,
All overhead & underground electrical lines,
All sanitary sewer infrastructure, (including septic tank, primary and reserve drainfields)
- Pool shall not encroach into any part of the primary or reserve
- Impervious surface on the areas of sewage disposal sites or on-site sewage treatment system is
All wetland boundaries,
All Critical Resource Protection Area (CRPA) boundaries,
- Encroachment into the Critical Resource Protection Area (CRPA) is prohibited without an approved waiver or special A 10-foot buffer from the dripline of vegetation within the CRPA is required.
- Vegetation removal within the CRPA is prohibited without an approved vegetation removal
All Special Flood Hazard Areas,
Dimensions from the pool to all property lines,
Dimensions from the pool to septic tank and drainfields,
Dimensions of the pool (including apron and equipment areas)
Pool equipment and other structures such as diving boards, ladders, diving rocks, slides,
Existing and proposed 2-ft contours, (supported by proposed spot elevations of needed),
Arrows indicating drainage,
Fence location,
Limits of disturbance (LOD),
- LOD must include soil stockpile areas and any other areas that will be temporarily disturbed due to construction.
Erosion and Sediment

FEES

Permit fees vary depending on the size and scope of the project; use the fee schedule to help determine your costs. Review and administrative fees will be charged and must be paid prior to the review of construction documents. Inspection fees will be charged and must be paid prior to permit issuance.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications for permit can be submitted in person, or online after creating an account. All construction documents must be included for the application to be accepted.

Every Pool application will go through several reviews prior to permit approval:

Application Review/Final Application Review

The Department of Development Services will perform an administrative review of each permit application. In addition to quality assurance the reviewers verify that the applicant holds the necessary license for each scope of work, that the address is correct and matches any parent permit, that the parent permits have been approved if applicable, and that the correct fees are charged etc.

Building Plan Review

The Department of Development Services, Building Division will review all permits for pools to ensure compliance with:

Requirements outlined in the 2018 Virginia Residential Code (VRC) and 2015 International Pool and Spa Code
Requirements outlined in the VRC Chapter 42, Swimming Pools; construction and installation of electric wiring and
Requirements outlined in the VRC for the installation of equipment, tanks and supply lines.

Grading Review

All applications for in-ground and above-ground pools will be assigned grading reviews to be completed by the Environmental Division of Stafford County’s Community Development Services Department. This review process has been established to ensure that all pool construction within the County is compliant with the following County Ordinances:

Chapter 11- Erosion and Sediment Control
Chapter 5 - Stormwater Management of Stafford County’s Code of Ordinances,
Chapter 27 - Wetlands, and
Chapter 27B - Chesapeake Bay Preservation

Historic Review

The Department of Planning and Zoning reviews all projects on parcels that have a historic notice, which indicates that the property is either in a Historic District or that it contains a historic structure or site listed with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Properties in a Historic District are subject to specific guidelines implemented by the Architectural Review Board and a Certificate of Appropriateness is required for certain projects.

Zoning Review

The Department of Planning and Zoning reviews all applications for the use of the property as well as any setback requirements according to the zoning ordinance. A site plan showing all structures and setbacks is required for this review.

You can track the status of your permit and see reviewer’s comments online. Automated email notifications will be sent to the applicant if plan corrections are required, and when the application for permit has been approved.

INSPECTIONS

It is the responsibility of the permit holder to assure all inspections are scheduled and completed. The county-approved construction plan and site plan must be on site for inspection. Ladders, scaffolds, and other equipment necessary to access construction must be provided to the inspector. Inspections can be scheduled by phone at (540)658-4151, or on our website. The following inspections are required:

100 First Erosion

- Required sediment and erosion controls installed and operating correctly.
- No land-disturbing activities may commence before an approved first-erosion (100) inspection

502 Electric/Steel & Bonding

All electrical wiring and equipment installation must be done in strict accordance with VRC Chapter 42. Note that concrete decking surrounding a pool which contains steel components such as reinforcing steel mat or rebar must be bonded in accordance with E4204 and requires inspection prior to concrete placement.

- Framework must be in place and bonded (Typical; vinyl liner pools)
- All required reinforcing steel must be in place and properly Any decking with metal reinforcement must be prepared and properly bonded. Any other equipment requiring bonding must be in its roughed in location.
- If problem soil, inspection must be made by engineer

503 Site Trenching/Conduit/Residential

- All conduit must be installed at proper depth(s)

500 Electric/Rough-in

- Wring rough-in completed including rough in for heaters, etc.

403 Mechanical/Gas Line/Outside (as applicable)

- Gas / Oil pool heater line installation; proper materials & depth with pressure
- test, prior to concealment

402 Mechanical/Tanks/Propane/ Oil (as applicable)

- New tank installation associated with pool heater. Anode placement
- (Propane), prior to concealment.

400 Mechanical/Rough-In (as applicable)

Pool & Spa water heaters must be installed in accordance specific manufacturer’s instructions (to be on site for inspections). See VRC M2006 for details. Electric pool heaters must be tested in accordance with UL 1261 and oil-fired heaters tested in accordance with UL 726. If the Pool heater is gas or oil and the tank and lines are being installed under a separate permit, the heater must also be listed on the pool permit or whatever permit covers the electrical connections.

- Pool Heater; PTR valve & piping & connections. (manufacturer’s instructions to be on site)

999 Final Inspection

- Pool heater must be completely installed (as applicable).
- Appliances, slides, motors, pumps, receptacle outlets, lighting, panels, switches, must be properly installed, secured and operational.
- All permanent barriers, safety covers, removable / fold up ladders must be in place and operational including door alarms, etc.
- All work as indicated on the permit must be completed including final inspections on any retaining walls issued on associated

199 Bond Release (as applicable)

- Grading must be completed and correct per the approved plan.
- All broken sidewalks as a result of construction have been fully repaired.
- Pools/aprons etc. must be completed.
- Vegetation must be mature and have good coverage
- Erosion and sediment control measures like silt fence and construction entrances must be removed.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Pools that include a permanent fill line or connection to sanitary sewer will require a plumbing permit.
A Fuel/Gas permit will be required for fuel fired pool heaters.
If retaining walls are planned to be built to support the pool structure, separate Retaining Wall permits will be required prior to Pool permit approval.

Temporary/Storable Pool Permit

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