Yes, you should expect to need a permit to build an inground pool in Orleans, Jefferson or St. Tammany Parish. Each parish runs its own process, with its own forms, reviews and inspections. Your pool designer or builder normally prepares and files the application, and your job is to know what is being submitted in your name.
Key Takeaways
- Plan on a permit for any new inground pool in the New Orleans area.
- Each parish, and some cities within them, handles permits through its own office.
- Drawings, a site plan and contractor details are the usual core of an application.
- Permit review takes time, so it belongs in the project schedule from day one.
- Ask who files the permit and who attends inspections before you sign.
Permits are the least glamorous part of a pool project and one of the most common reasons a start date slips. A little understanding goes a long way. TurnKey Pool Designers works across the New Orleans metro, the Northshore and Baton Rouge, and the paperwork stage is part of every project we see.
This guide explains how permitting generally works and what to ask. It names no fees or code sections, because those change and each office publishes its own current requirements.
Do You Need a Permit to Build a Pool Near New Orleans?
For a new inground pool, yes, plan on it. A pool involves excavation, structure, electrical work and plumbing, and local governments review that kind of work before it begins.
The permit exists to confirm the pool is placed and built safely, with the right barriers and the right distance from property lines, utilities and other structures. It also creates a record that the work was inspected, which matters when you sell the home.
A sound pool design is drawn with those reviews in mind, so the plans that go to the permit office are the plans that get built.
Who Issues Pool Permits in Each Parish?
The parish, or in some cases the city you live in, issues the permit through its permitting or building department. Which office applies depends on your exact address.
Orleans Parish and the City of New Orleans share one government, so one office handles permits there. Jefferson Parish has its own department, and some incorporated cities within the parish run their own. St. Tammany Parish works the same way, with the parish office covering unincorporated areas and certain cities handling their own permits.
Homeowners in Harahan, for example, should confirm whether the city or the parish reviews their project. The quickest way to find out is to call the office or check its website with your address in hand.
What Is Usually Part of a Pool Permit Application?
Expect drawings of the pool, a plan of the lot showing where it sits, and details of the licensed contractor doing the work. Offices differ on the rest.
A typical application package covers the pool’s size and position, the barrier or fencing plan, equipment location, and electrical and plumbing details. Some properties need more, such as a drainage plan or an extra review for homes in special districts.
Your designer should be able to show you what is being submitted. If you would like to talk through the process for your address, request a free quote and ask us about permitting at the same time.
How Does Permitting Affect Your Timeline?
Review takes time, and the pool cannot start until the permit is issued. A realistic schedule treats permitting as its own stage.
The most common cause of delay is a change to the design after filing. Settling your choices before the application goes in is the single best thing you can do for the schedule.
A well-resolved design also reduces questions from the reviewer. Our post on custom pool design ideas is a useful place to firm up what you want before drawings begin.
What Should You Ask Your Designer About Permits?
Ask who prepares the application, who pays the fees, who meets the inspector and what happens if the office asks for changes. Clear answers now prevent surprises later.
Good questions to bring:
- Is the permit included in your scope, and is it filed in my name or yours?
- Have you worked with my parish or city office before?
- What drawings will you submit, and may I see them?
- How long has review taken on your recent projects in my area?
- Will I receive proof of the final inspection?
A firm that handles permits routinely will answer these without hesitation. Be wary of anyone who suggests skipping the permit. Unpermitted work can cause problems with insurance, resale and the parish itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for an inground pool in Louisiana?
In most places, yes. Pool permits are handled locally, so the rules come from your parish or city. Check with the office that covers your address.
How much does a pool permit cost in New Orleans?
Fees are set by each office and change over time. The permitting department publishes its current schedule, and your designer can tell you what recent projects have paid.
Who applies for the pool permit, me or the contractor?
Usually the contractor or designer prepares and files it. Confirm that in writing, along with who pays the fee and who attends inspections.
How long does a pool permit take?
It varies by office and by season. Ask your designer how long review has taken on recent projects in your area and build that into the schedule.
What happens if I build a pool without a permit?
You risk fines, an order to stop work, trouble with your insurer and questions when you sell. It can also mean opening up finished work for inspection.
Does a pool permit cover the fence and the electrical work?
Often the application covers the barrier and related trades, though some offices issue separate permits. Your designer should explain how it works where you live.
Do historic or special districts add steps?
They can. Some properties need an additional review before a permit is issued. If your home is in such a district, raise it at the first meeting.
Will I need inspections after the permit is issued?
Yes. Inspections happen at set points during construction and again at completion. Keep the final sign-off with your house records.
