Pool permits in Town and Country, MO
The City of Town and Country does its own zoning review, building plan review, permits and inspections through its Planning Department. Larger or more distant pools need a Conditional Use Permit, which goes through public meetings.
- Permit from
- City of Town and Country
- Permit fee
- $25 + cost-based fee + $60 per inspection
- Pool fence
- 48 in. minimum
Permits an inground pool needs in Town and Country
- Swimming pool building permit from City of Town and Country. Submit two sets of signed and sealed construction plans and site plans, plus a digital copy. The construction plans show the pool make and model, reinforcing steel and bonding, barrier location, materials and height, circulation equipment, drainage, any audible warning system, and a cross section. The site plan shows property lines, easements, setback lines, greenspace calculations, sewer lateral, site drainage, decking and equipment location.
- Conditional Use Permit from City of Town and Country. Required if the water surface is over 1,000 sq ft, less than 60% of the pool wall is below ground, or the nearest water is more than 30 feet from the house. The process takes three public meetings and typically 60 to 90 days.
- Zoning variance from City of Town and Country Board of Adjustment. Needed only if the pool cannot meet setbacks or greenspace rules. You must show a hardship on the property.
- Fence permit from City of Town and Country. Required for any fence installation (Sec. 405.150).
- Stormwater calculations and mitigation plan from City of Town and Country. Required when the construction disturbance limit exceeds 2,500 sq ft (Sec. 415.105). Needs sealed differential runoff calculations, drainage area maps and detention details.
Pool fence and barrier rules in Town and Country
- Fence height: At least 48 inches, measured from finished grade. On a scalloped fence, the lowest point of the scallop must be at least 48 inches.
- Gates: Gates must swing out away from the pool, be self-closing and self-latching, and take a locking device. If the latch release is less than 54 inches from the bottom of the gate, it must be on the pool side, at least 3 inches below the top of the gate, and the gate and barrier may have no opening over 1/2 inch within 18 inches of the latch.
- Also required: Openings may be no larger than 4 inches. The gap between finished grade and the bottom of the barrier may be no more than 2 inches. Zoning requires a fence around every private outdoor pool that meets the city's adopted building code (Sec. 405.150). In residential districts, chain link fences are prohibited, and fences may not exceed 6 feet.
Pool permit fees in Town and Country
$25 application fee. The permit fee is $0.50 per $100 of estimated cost up to $1,000, plus $5.00 per $1,000 (or part of $1,000) above $1,000. Inspections cost $60 each, with a minimum of two for a swimming pool (the Code Official sets the number). Extra inspections are also $60 each (Sec. 500.160, R108.2).
How far a pool must be from property lines
The pool must meet all property-line setbacks. No part of the pool deck may be within 20 feet of any lot line (Ord. 4716, 2025). Pool mechanical equipment may not be within 20 feet of any side lot line, or in a required front or rear yard setback (Sec. 405.345). Accessory structures may not be in a front yard. The closest water must be no more than 30 feet from the house unless a Conditional Use Permit is approved.
Inspections
- At least two inspections for a pool, number set by the Code Official
Other things to know before you dig
- A pool is a permitted accessory structure only if it has under 1,000 sq ft of water surface and at least 60% of its wall is below ground with none exposed to view. One pool per lot.
- Above-ground pools are prohibited in the Estate, Suburban Estate, Suburban Low and Suburban Medium residential districts.
- Drains must be VGB compliant. All metal within 5 feet of the pool must be bonded with solid copper no smaller than #8.
- No overhead power lines above the pool or within 10 feet horizontally of the inside pool walls. No underground wiring under the pool or within 5 feet of the inside pool wall.
- Pool drainage and filter backwash may not go onto a neighbor's property or the street (Sec. 500.145).
- Street guarantee requirements may apply to pool permits (Sec. 500.130).
- Above-grade accessory structures must be screened with evergreens and match the main house.
- Check HOA or subdivision indentures.
Codes in use
2018 International Residential Code including Appendix G, with city amendments (Sec. 500.150-500.160), and the 2018 International Mechanical Code. For a heated pool, the city's guide says electrical work follows the codes currently adopted by St. Louis County.
Who to contact
-
City of Town and Country, Planning Department (City Planner)
Zoning review, conditional use permits, variances, 314-587-2827
-
City of Town and Country, Code Official
Building code questions, plan review, permits, 314-587-2826
-
City of Town and Country, Building Inspector
Inspections, 314-587-2839
Sources
Checked against these official sources in October 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the permit office before you sign a contract or break ground.
- Swimming Pool Guide (City of Town and Country)
- Planning & Permits (City of Town and Country)
- Fence Guide (City of Town and Country)
- Ordinance No. 4716 - Residential Accessory Structures (2025) (City of Town and Country)
- Article VII Residential Code (Sec. 500.150-500.160, incl. R108.2 fees) (eCode360 (City of Town and Country Code))
- Section 405.150 Fence Regulations (eCode360 (City of Town and Country Code))
- Section 405.345 Supplemental Regulations (eCode360 (City of Town and Country Code))
Get a pool quote in Town and Country
A local builder handles the permit, inspections and barrier details as part of the job. See what a pool costs in Town and Country.