A residential in-ground pool inside the Midlothian city limits requires a building permit before construction begins. The City’s current materials call for a scaled plan set, utility approval, a detailed site plan, compliant pool barriers, and inspections at specific construction stages. This checklist reflects City of Midlothian documents reviewed August 13, 2026; the City should confirm requirements for the actual address and project before submittal.
Start with the address, survey, and project scope
The City of Midlothian lists pools and spas among the improvements that require a building permit. Contractors must be registered with the City before obtaining a permit, and the City currently uses MyGov for permit information and inspection requests.
Before the plan is finalized, gather the property address, a current survey when available, the proposed pool and spa layout, proposed decking and structures, known easements, utilities, septic information, sprinkler locations, and any planned fence or gate changes. A complete property picture reduces avoidable redesign after submittal.
A city permit and an HOA or architectural approval are separate reviews. King Pools can provide drawings and material information within its project scope, while the homeowner remains responsible for direct HOA or community communication and approval.
- Property address and current survey when available
- Pool, spa, deck, equipment, and outdoor-living scope
- Easements, rights-of-way, setbacks, and existing structures
- Known utilities, septic components, and sprinkler locations
- Existing or proposed fence, gates, and dwelling access points
- HOA or planned-development requirements that apply to the property
Prepare the scaled plans and specifications
The City’s residential in-ground pool submittal sheet calls for one complete set of specifications and drawings prepared to scale with professional clarity and detail. The drawings and specifications must be dated and identify the designer by name, address, and phone number.
The City says the plans must comply with its currently adopted versions of the International Residential Code and National Electrical Code, along with adopted ordinances and any planned-development requirements. The project team should use the code versions the City identifies at the time of submittal instead of assuming an older checklist still controls.
The plan package must also show the vacuum breaker, how the pool will be filled and drained, the common bonding-grid method, and a pre-approved bonding connector.
- One complete, dated set of scaled plans and specifications
- Designer name, address, and phone number
- Pool, spa, equipment, plumbing, electrical, and deck information
- Pool fill and drain method and vacuum-breaker information
- Common bonding-grid method and approved bonding connector
Obtain the utility location approval the City requires
The City’s submittal requirements call for an electric release: a site plan or letter showing written approval of the pool location by utility suppliers. This is different from simply knowing that utilities exist somewhere on the property.
The proposed pool, deck, equipment, and construction access should be coordinated with visible and documented utility information before excavation. The City’s written requirement controls what must be included with the permit application for the actual property.
- Written utility-supplier approval of the proposed pool location
- Proposed equipment location and utility routes
- Known overhead and underground utility conflicts
- Construction access that does not assume an unavailable route
Show setbacks, easements, septic systems, and sprinklers
The site plan must show the proposed pool and all existing buildings, property lines, easements, rights-of-way, and front, rear, and side setbacks. The City’s current residential pool handout says the water’s edge must be at least 5 feet from the rear property line and at least 5 feet from the side property line.
The same handout requires a one-to-one relationship from the residence foundation to the water’s edge, with a minimum separation of 5 feet. It also states that neither the pool nor the decking may encroach into a property easement. Property-specific setbacks or planned-development rules can be more restrictive, so the City should verify the actual address.
When applicable, the site plan must show the septic system and sprinkler locations. The City lists a 25-foot minimum from the pool edge to the end of spray, tanks, and lateral lines for an aerobic septic system and a 5-foot minimum from the pool edge to tanks and lateral lines for a conventional septic system.
- At least 5 feet from water’s edge to the rear property line
- At least 5 feet from water’s edge to the side property line
- At least 5 feet from water’s edge to the residence foundation
- One-to-one foundation-to-water’s-edge relationship
- No pool or decking encroachment into an easement
- Required septic and sprinkler locations when applicable
Plan the pool barrier before final inspection
The site plan must show existing or proposed fences and gates and demonstrate compliance with the City’s pool-barrier requirements. The current handout requires a barrier at least 48 inches high, limits openings, and sets detailed requirements based on the fence type.
Pedestrian gates must open outward away from the pool, be self-closing, and use a self-latching device. When a wall of the home forms part of the barrier, the City’s handout requires an approved protection method such as a compliant powered safety cover, listed door alarms, or another method accepted by the governing body that provides equivalent protection.
Barrier details should be resolved early. Waiting until the final inspection to evaluate gate swing, latch height, openings, or doors with direct pool access can delay completion.
- Barrier height of at least 48 inches
- Openings that do not allow a 4-inch-diameter sphere to pass
- Outward-opening, self-closing, self-latching pedestrian gates
- Compliant protection for doors with direct access to the pool area
- Fence and gate details shown on the permit site plan
Schedule each required inspection at the correct stage
The City’s current residential in-ground pool inspection sheet lists Pool Belly/Steel/Ground, Deck Steel, and Final inspections, along with Electrical Underground, Gas Underground, Gas, and P-Trap inspections when those items apply. Work should remain visible and ready for the inspection being requested.
For a single-drain pool or spa, the City requires a Certificate of Compliance at the Pool Belly/Steel/Ground inspection for the listed suction fittings. The final inspection checks items including GFCI protection, barrier requirements, and door alarms, and the City notes that access to the home is required for the final.
All inspections are requested through MyGov. The City advises against requesting an inspection before the work is complete and may charge a re-inspection fee; the permit package and address must be posted on site.
- Pool Belly/Steel/Ground
- Electrical Underground, if applicable
- Gas Underground, if applicable
- Gas, if applicable
- P-Trap, if applicable
- Deck Steel
- Final: GFCI protection, barriers, door alarms, and required home access
Verify the current forms, fees, and property rules before submitting
Permit forms, adopted codes, fees, and administrative procedures can change. Use the City’s current permit-application and forms pages when the project is ready for submittal, and confirm any address-specific planned-development, easement, utility, or septic requirement.
This checklist is a planning aid, not a permit approval or a substitute for the City’s review. A complete design should reflect the actual property and the current written requirements in effect when the application is submitted.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Does an in-ground pool require a permit in Midlothian?
Yes. The City of Midlothian lists pools and spas among the property improvements that require a building permit before work begins.
How close can the pool be to a property line in Midlothian?
The City’s current residential in-ground pool submittal handout states that the water’s edge must be at least 5 feet from the rear property line and at least 5 feet from the side property line. Address-specific zoning or planned-development rules may require more, so the City should confirm the property.
Can pool decking go into an easement?
The City’s current handout states that neither the pool nor the decking may encroach into an easement on the property.
What pool inspections does Midlothian require?
The City lists Pool Belly/Steel/Ground, Deck Steel, and Final inspections, plus Electrical Underground, Gas Underground, Gas, and P-Trap inspections when applicable. The exact sequence should be coordinated through the active permit and MyGov.
What does Midlothian check at the final pool inspection?
The City’s current inspection sheet lists GFCI protection, proper barrier requirements, and door alarms at final and states that access to the home is required.
Does city permit approval replace HOA approval?
No. City permitting and HOA or architectural review are separate. King Pools can supply documents within its scope, while the homeowner handles direct HOA or community communication and approval.
Next step
Start with the property and a workable design
Share the Midlothian property address, survey when available, priorities, and known HOA or site constraints so King Pools can identify the next useful planning step.