The requirements for swimming pools, spas and hot tubs are established through the North Carolina Building Code and the City’s Development Ordinance. These requirements are meant to ensure pools are safe and to help prevent anyone from drowning or becoming entrapped.

A permit must be issued before installing a residential pool, including any in-ground pool, above-ground pool, on-ground pool, spa or hot tub that can hold more than 24 inches of water. Also, the pool must be inspected for compliance with the swimming pool requirements established by the codes.

Residential (one or two-family dwelling) pools follow the Residential Construction process for permitting. All pools must be enclosed by a minimum 4-foot high barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates. Typically, inspections are made of the location, installation, protection barrier, electrical connections and water supply connections.

Prerequisites

• A Certificate of Appropriateness is required if the structure is located in a local historic district or is a Guilford County Historic Landmark

Approvals or Permits Issued

• Issuance of a Residential Construction Permit
• The permit lists all required inspections

Submittal Requirements

1. Completed Residential Construction Permit Application (PDF), including all contractors conducting the work, submitted to the Development Services Center or online through Accela Citizen Access (ACA)
2. Application fee
3. A plot plan prepared in accordance with the Residential Plot Plan Standards (PDF) illustrating the pool dimensions and location relative to property lines and the home
4. If the pool is constructed, then structural plans providing the required information as listed on the Residential Construction Plan Standards (PDF).
5. If the property owner desires to act as general contractor and the proposed project cost has a value of $30,000 or more, then the owner must sign and submit a notarized Work By Owner Affidavit (PDF).

Permit Requirements

1. The plot plan must meet the applicable requirements of the Development Ordinance.
2. If structural plans are required, they must comply with the current version of the North Carolina Residential Code.
3. If the project has a value of $30,000 or more, a Workers’ Compensation Coverage (PDF) form must be completed or a copy of the Insurance Certificate provided.
4. If land disturbance:
   
   • Exceeds 1 acre;
   • Is on highly erodible soils (i.e. Swansgate or Cambridge Oaks subdivisions);
   • Drains to a water quality pond (e.g. wet pond in a subdivision) or retention structure (e.g. Davis Lake Regional Pond);
   • Is within Ties 1 or 2 of a Watershed Critical Area; or
   • An instance where extensive erosion control measures are required;
   • Then a land disturbance permit must be issued prior to a construction permit.
5. Prior to any development activities within a Special Flood Hazard Area, a Floodplain Development Permit must be issued.
6. Payment of required permit fees
7. Applicant is authorized to obtain the permit.
8. Upon meeting all permit requirements, the applicant is entitled to a Residential Construction Permit.

Additional Information

• For more information, see Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs Standards (PDF)

Fees

• Application fee is due at time of submittal
• Permit fee is due at permit issuance
• See the Development Fee Schedule (PDF) for specific fees
• Payment types accepted: Cash, Discover, MasterCard, Visa and Check or Money Order payable to the City of High Point
• Online (ACA) payment types accepted: Cash, Discover, MasterCard, Visa and E-check