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 September 1, 2025. Arlington prices an in-ground swimming pool building permit as a flat $275.00 (spa included) - the same at any pool size or value, because it is a single flat line, not a valuation-based fee. An above-ground pool is a flat $125.00. Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing trade permits are each a separate flat $100.00, and a pool safety-barrier fence is a separate $25.00. Texas has no statewide permit levy, and Arlington adds no percentage surcharge.
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 September 1, 2025 (Resolution No. 25-213, Exhibit A) - a flat $275.00 in-ground swimming pool building permit (spa included) and a flat $125.00 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 $275.00 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 $25.00 flat line.
On the plan-review clause: Arlington's schedule charges a plan-review fee only when plans are reviewed by City staff rather than by an approved third-party organization (TPO), and that fee is valuation-tiered (lowest tier $150.00 for work valued at $0-$10,000). The schedule does not state that this valuation-tiered plan review attaches to a flat pool line. This guide does not assume it applies and does not add it to the headline; if it did apply, it could add at least $150.00. Confirm with Planning and Development Services.
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 $275.00.
A residential in-ground swimming pool permit in Arlington, TX is a flat $275.00 building permit (spa included) - the same at any pool size or value. An above-ground pool is a flat $125.00. Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing trade permits are each a separate $100.00, and a pool safety-barrier fence is a separate $25.00. A valuation-tiered plan-review fee applies only when the City (not a third-party reviewer) reviews plans, and the schedule does not state it attaches to a flat pool line, so it is not added here. Texas adds no state levy. Figures are from the City of Arlington fee schedule effective September 1, 2025.
- Arlington charges a flat $275.00 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 $125.00.
- Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing trade permits are each a separate flat $100.00 on Arlington's schedule. They are added to the $275.00 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 $25.00 flat line - distinct from the pool building permit and from a standard residential fence ($25.00 each).
- Plan review is valuation-tiered and applies only when City staff (not an approved third-party reviewer) review the plans. The schedule does not state it attaches to a flat pool line, so this guide does not add it. If it applied it would be at least $150.00. Confirm with Planning and Development Services.
- Texas has no statewide percentage permit levy - unlike Virginia's 2% USBC add-on - and Arlington adds no city percentage surcharge on the pool permit.
- For context among verified Texas cities: Arlington's $275.00 in-ground pool building permit sits below Denton's $357 and Longview's $305, and above Beaumont's $225 building line - and each city bundles or excludes trades differently.
Arlington Pool Permit Fee Structure
The pool building permit is a single flat line, priced the same regardless of pool size or value. Trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) are separate flat $100.00 fees, and the pool barrier fence is a separate $25.00 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 | $275.00 | 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 | $125.00 | 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 | $25.00 | Separate flat line ("Swimming Pool Barrier fence") - distinct from the pool permit. |
| Plan review on a flat pool line | Not stated | Valuation-tiered plan review applies only when City staff review plans (not a TPO); the schedule does not state it attaches to a flat pool line. |
| State / city percentage levy | None | Texas has no statewide permit levy; Arlington adds no percentage surcharge. |
Source: City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule, effective September 1, 2025 (Resolution No. 25-213, Exhibit A). The plan-review row is shown to disclose an unresolved question, not to add a fee - confirm plan-review treatment for a pool with 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 September 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): $275.00
- Texas state levy: $0.00 (none)
- Pool building permit: $275.00 (before trades)
The same $275.00 applies whether the pool is small or large - it is a flat line, not valuation-based. Confirm whether plan review attaches to the pool line 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: $275.00
- Electrical trade permit: $100.00
- Pool + electrical: $375.00
Whether a separate mechanical or plumbing permit is also required depends on your pool's scope (each would add $100.00). This figure excludes any City plan-review charge, which the schedule does not state applies to a flat pool line. 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 - building permit: $275.00
- Above-ground pool - building permit: $125.00
- Difference: $150.00
Each is a flat line, so the building-permit cost is identical regardless of size within its type. 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 flat $275.00 covers the in-ground pool building permit itself on Arlington's September 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 $275.00 pool building permit.
- Plan review may apply. The schedule charges a valuation-tiered plan-review fee only when City staff (not a third-party reviewer) review plans, and does not state it applies to a flat pool line. If it did, it would be at least $150.00 - confirm with Planning and Development Services.
- Your pool needs a safety barrier. A pool safety-barrier fence is a separate $25.00 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 September 1, 2025, but a city can amend fees by resolution - confirm before filing.
Trade permits, plan review, barrier fence, gas-heater, and impact fees are excluded from the pool building permit 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 pool line; trades separate ($100 ea) | $275.00 |
| Denton, TX | Flat pool line; electrical separate | $357.00 |
| 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 $275.00 is a flat in-ground pool line with electrical/mechanical/plumbing ($100 each) separate. Denton's $357, Longview's $305, and Beaumont's $225 building line all bill pool trades separately as well. Arlington sits in the middle of the verified Texas set. 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 September 1, 2025) |
Sources
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City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule (Effective September 1, 2025, Resolution No. 25-213, Exhibit A) Arlington, TX (.gov) - the city's official fee schedule PDF. Primary source for the $275.00 in-ground pool building permit, $125.00 above-ground pool, $100.00 electrical/mechanical/plumbing trade permits, $25.00 pool barrier fence, and the valuation-tiered plan-review clause. Read June 13, 2026 exact - effective September 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.