Do I need a permit for swimming pool or spa in Forest Hills?
Yes. In Tennessee, swimming pool or spa generally requires a permit, and Forest Hills is no exception.
Forest Hills requires a City permit for swimming pools and inspects them itself; the City inspection sequence is inground, rebar, pool fill, and then pool final and fence final, so the safety fence must be complete and pass before the pool is finished. The City adopted the 2018 International Residential Code, which requires a barrier around the pool (generally at least four feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates), and the electrical bonding and equipment wiring is inspected by Metro Nashville. Tennessee requires a state contractor license for residential building work of roughly 25,000 dollars and up, so confirm your pool contractor holds the correct Tennessee classification and monetary limit. In-ground and larger above-ground pools require a permit in Tennessee. Barrier, gate and electrical bonding rules are enforced strictly for drowning and shock prevention. Which code edition sets those details depends on whether your area falls under the State Fire Marshal's residential programme, which enforces the 2018 International Residential Code, or under a local programme that adopted its own edition. Electrical work for pool equipment requires a separate electrical permit and bonding inspection. Requirements are enforced locally in Nashville, Memphis and Shelby County, and Knox County.
Documents you may need
- City of Forest Hills building permit application through the City Permit Database for the swimming poolrequired
- Applicable Application Guide Sheet with a site plan showing the pool, the required safety barrier or fence, and equipment locationrequired
- Metro Nashville electrical permit for pump, bonding, and equipment wiring, since Metro Nashville conducts the electrical trade inspectionLikely required
- Permit applicationrequired
- Site plan showing pool location, setbacks, and barrier/fencerequired
- Pool construction details and equipment/electrical bonding planrequired
- Barrier (fence) and safety details meeting coderequired
Possible inspections
- Inground inspection once the hole is dug, rebar inspection, and pool fill inspection by the City of Forest Hills Building Inspector
- Pool final and fence final inspections
- Electrical trade inspection conducted by Metro Nashville
- Barrier / safety-fence inspection
- Electrical bonding and equipment inspection
- Final inspection
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for swimming pool or spa in Forest Hills?
- Yes. In Tennessee, swimming pool or spa generally requires a permit, and Forest Hills is no exception. Forest Hills requires a City permit for swimming pools and inspects them itself; the City inspection sequence is inground, rebar, pool fill, and then pool final and fence final, so the safety fence must be complete and pass before the pool is finished. The City adopted the 2018 International Residential Code, which requires a barrier around the pool (generally at least four feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates), and the electrical bonding and equipment wiring is inspected by Metro Nashville. Tennessee requires a state contractor license for residential building work of roughly 25,000 dollars and up, so confirm your pool contractor holds the correct Tennessee classification and monetary limit. In-ground and larger above-ground pools require a permit in Tennessee. Barrier, gate and electrical bonding rules are enforced strictly for drowning and shock prevention. Which code edition sets those details depends on whether your area falls under the State Fire Marshal's residential programme, which enforces the 2018 International Residential Code, or under a local programme that adopted its own edition. Electrical work for pool equipment requires a separate electrical permit and bonding inspection. Requirements are enforced locally in Nashville, Memphis and Shelby County, and Knox County.
- Who issues the permit in Forest Hills?
- The local building department for Forest Hills handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.