Short answer: yes. In Louisiana, almost every in-ground pool and most above-ground pools need a building permit before construction starts. The exact requirements depend on your parish and municipality, and DPK Pools handles the entire permitting process for the pools we build across the Northshore and Greater New Orleans area.
Here is what that actually means for your project.
Do in-ground pools need a permit in Louisiana?
Yes. Every in-ground pool we build requires a permit, and usually more than one. Most parishes require a building permit for the pool structure itself, and separate electrical and plumbing permits for the equipment, bonding, and any gas heater. Many also require a barrier or fence permit, because Louisiana follows residential pool-barrier safety codes. DPK Pools pulls all of these for you. You do not chase paperwork, and you do not risk a stop-work order midway through the build.
Do above-ground pools need a permit?
Usually, yes. People assume above-ground pools are exempt, and that is rarely true in Louisiana. Once a pool holds water above a certain depth (commonly 24 inches) it typically needs a permit, and if it has a deck, wiring, or a pump on a dedicated circuit, that adds electrical and barrier requirements on top. The rules vary by parish, so the honest answer is: check before you buy. We are happy to tell you what your specific address will need.
Which permits apply on the Northshore vs. New Orleans?
It depends on where you live. In St. Tammany Parish (Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, Abita Springs), permits go through the parish or the city, depending on whether you are inside city limits. In Jefferson Parish (Metairie, Kenner), the parish handles residential pool permits, with its own barrier and electrical requirements. In Orleans Parish (New Orleans), the city’s Department of Safety and Permits reviews pool permits, and historic districts can add another layer. Because we build on both the Northshore and the South Shore, we work with all of these offices regularly and know what each one expects.
Who is responsible for pulling the permit?
Your pool builder should be. A licensed contractor pulls the permit under their license, which keeps you off the hook for code compliance and inspection scheduling. If a builder asks you to pull an “owner” permit for a job they are doing, treat that as a red flag. DPK Pools pulls the permits, schedules the inspections, and manages compliance from start to finish. It is part of every build, not an add-on.
How long does the permit process take?
Permit review time varies by parish and by how busy the office is, from a few days to a few weeks. We build permitting into the overall project timeline and start the paperwork early so it does not hold up your pool. Most custom pools in our area run several weeks from start to finish, permitting included.
What happens if you skip the permit?
It is not worth it. An unpermitted pool can trigger fines, a forced removal, problems when you sell the home, and voided insurance if something goes wrong. It can also fail the next appraisal or inspection. Permitting protects you, and it is genuinely routine when a licensed builder handles it.
Building a pool on the Northshore or in New Orleans?
DPK Pools designs, permits, and builds custom gunite pools across Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, Abita Springs, Metairie, Kenner, and New Orleans. We handle the permits and inspections so you do not have to. Call (985) 888-9899 for a free consultation and estimate.