Pool Construction Permits in Knoxville

Local Rule

Knox County Department of Building Codes & Zoning (serves Knoxville)

Knoxville and Knox County share the City-County Building at 400 Main Street, and a building permit is required for any pool, hot tub or spa capable of holding more than 24 inches of water, with a 48 inch barrier, self-closing self-latching gates opening outward, and a latch release at least 54 inches above grade. A real distinctive grandfather date: a pool that existed before May 20, 1991 may still fall under an older 3 foot minimum barrier standard, while any new construction follows the current 48 inch rule.

Source · Verified September 2026

Knoxville Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Knox County

Knoxville's own rule is shown above (Permit required). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

Knox County Codes Administration and Enforcement

Knox County requires a permit for any swimming pool, hot tub, or spa capable of containing more than 24 inches of water, with a barrier at least 48 inches high reviewed as part of the pool permit process. Distinctively, Knox County and much of East Tennessee sit on karst limestone terrain prone to sinkholes and underground drainage, which affects pool foundation, footing, and drainage design beyond the standard barrier requirements.

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Knoxville with a confirmed pool construction rule:

FAQs

Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need

Meeting the pool safety code? Barrier and safety gear homeowners rely on:

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