Who Needs a Permit?
Anyone planning to build or run a public swimming pool or spa inside Fredville city limits needs a Swimming Pool/Spa Permit, which is issued by the city's Health and Environment Department. Public wading pools and spray parks need the same permit.
- Running an existing public pool or spa: you need a Certificate of Occupancy plus a Swimming Pool/Spa Permit.
- Taking over an existing public pool or spa: the new owner must obtain both a fresh Certificate of Occupancy and a fresh pool/spa permit.
- Building or remodeling a public pool or spa: you need a Certificate of Occupancy, a Commercial Building Permit and a Swimming Pool/Spa Permit.
New Pools, New Spas and Remodels
Accessibility: every new public swimming pool has to meet the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design.
Step 1. Apply for a Certificate of Occupancy
Submit a Certificate of Occupancy application online to the Building Inspections Division. Steps and fees are on the Certificate of Occupancy page.
Step 2. Apply for a Commercial Building Permit
The permit type is "Building Commercial – Pool/Spa." The commercial pool and spa permit page explains how to apply and what it costs.
Step 3. Apply for the Swimming Pool/Spa Permit
The health department's application asks for:
- The property's name, including any DBA
- Owner details: contact information, date of birth and driver's license number
- How many gallons each pool or spa holds
- A notarized Owner Verification Form (PDF, 114KB)
- For new construction, a pre-construction certification letter from an engineer or architect licensed in Texas
- For final sign-off on new construction, a post-construction certification letter from a Texas-licensed engineer or architect; staff may ask for other documents during review
- The applicable fees
Fill out the pool/spa permit application form (PDF, 352KB), then drop it off in person at the Health and Environment offices:
- Where: City Hall, 100 Civic Center Drive, 2nd Floor, Fredville, TX 75999
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (555) 010-1261
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Step 4. Pay the Fees
You will be billed once staff have processed your application.
| Permit item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Initial application or remodel, per new pool or new spa | $325.00 |
| Annual permit, per pool and per spa | $225.00 |
| Change of owner application | $110.00 |
| Late renewal of an annual permit | $55.00 |
| Duplicate permit | $20.00 |
Step 5. Inspections Are Scheduled
Once both the pool/spa permit and Certificate of Occupancy applications are in, city staff will reach out to book the required inspections.
Change of Ownership
Accessibility: a pool or spa that changes hands must meet the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. The ADA's published questions and answers on existing swimming pools explain what is expected.
The new owner first applies online to the Building Inspections Division for a Certificate of Occupancy; see the Certificate of Occupancy page for steps and fees. Next, apply for the Swimming Pool/Spa Permit and pay the fees as described in Steps 3 and 4 above.
Inspections
After both applications are submitted, your required inspections will be listed in your account on the city's online permitting portal, and staff will contact you to set them up.
Inspections for New Construction
A new pool or spa may not open until every requirement has been met at the final inspection, and the Certificate of Occupancy is released only after that.
- Pre-gunite inspection: confirms that the drains comply with the federal Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) Act and that drains and skimmers are installed as shown on the approved plans.
- Pre-plaster inspection: confirms that steps, tile and depth markings match the approved plans.
- Final inspection:
- The city must test the RPZ backflow assembly on every pool or spa fill line, and the cross-connection inspection report must be on hand for the inspector.
- A licensed electrician must provide a letter stating that the wet-niche light fixtures are grounded and in good repair. A sample letter is available (PDF, 71KB).
- Inspectors review the whole facility, including water chemistry, fencing, signage and a working emergency phone or other way to summon help.
- Provide a copy of the Certified Pool Operator certificate.
What Happens Next?
The permit is issued when the facility is finished and meets all City of Fredville and State of Texas rules.
At a glance
- Fee
- $325 for a new pool or spa; $225 a year to operate
- Who needs it
- The operator of a public or semi-public pool, such as an apartment or hotel pool
- How to apply
- This one is not in the online permit portal; use the application below.
- Application
- Sample application for this permit
- Turnaround
- About 10 business days
- Questions
- (555) 010-1261, [email protected]
Fredville is a demonstration city built by Talk to Fred. Names, numbers and details on this page are sample content.