League City has the third largest boating anchorage in the United States. While many promote the city as a place to live, work, and play, it is also a well-located city. The city between Houston and Galveston has many other benefits like parks, beautiful neighborhoods, excellent schools, museums and a waterfront to die for. But those who live in their beautiful neighborhoods also want a swimming pool.
What You Need to Know About Building Permits in League City
Before submitting applications for a building permit, you should know that the city of League City enforces the following codes:
- 2015 International Building Code
- 2015 International Residential Code
- 2015 International Fuel Gas Code
- 2015 International Mechanical Code
- 2015 International Plumbing Code
- 2015 Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners Law/ Rules
- 2015 International Energy Code
- 2015 International Property Maintenance Code
- 2014 National Electrical Code
Ensure that your pool builder has the permits ready and on hand before construction begins. Their plans must reference and be compliant with the adopted codes, including the ultimate design wind speed in addition to TDI requirements.
Also, on August 14, 2018, the city of League City revised its Chapter 22 Buildings and Building Regulation ordinance. Request a copy or you can download from their web-page.
A Builder’s Submittal Checklist
Engineered Proximity Letter
If the excavation is less than five feet away from the foundation of a building or structure, the document will determine if it is in good standing to proceed with the project.
Overhead Electric Line
The power lines must be over 22.5 feet high from the water’s edge (recommended by the National Electrical Code).
Electric and Gas Blueprint
A layout of all wiring and gas connections, as well as other essential elements, is required for approval.
Utility Variance and Utility Easement
Most neighborhoods have a utility easement located along the fence line for underground cables. When it comes to constructing a pool, builders must remember that they cannot place any plumbing, gas, drains, electrical wires, or hardscape in the easement. If they are looking for a utility variance, it may not be easy to get approval.
Hose Bib with Anti-Siphon
The hose bib with anti-siphon prevents water from siphoning through an outside faucet, helping to avoid contamination of drinking water used in your home. Therefore, the city requires for swimming pool builders to indicate which device will be in use.
VGB Compliant Drains
Check for certification markings on the cover of the drain. All drains must be compliant with VGB requirements.
Self-Closing/Latching Gate
As required by law in the state of Texas, the gates must be, at least, six feet tall, self-closing, and self-latching. This means that the gate must fully close and latch without any human intervention.
Gas Riser Diagram
If your pool has a heater and/or a fire feature, your builder must add a gas riser diagram. The document consists of the size and length of each section of the gas pipe, starting at the meter to each take-off tee branch. It includes parts between take-off tee branches as well as the size and length of all branches coming off the main gas line that supply each appliance, including any new devices.
Backwash and P-Trap
Backwash or backwashing is the process of thoroughly cleaning your pool’s filter by a method of reversing the flow of water to flush out contaminants.
Area Drains to Street with Pop-Up Lids
Water flows from the gutter system into a drainpipe during a storm. The hydrostatic pressure causes the lid to open and disperse the water away from the foundation. When there is no steady flow of water, the cap on pop-up emitters stays closed.
Door Alarms
All doors leading to the pool area must have an alarm located at five feet above the door threshold. It must sound continuously for 30 seconds.
No Overflow Allowed
The overflow cannot run to the storm sewer due to the hyper-chlorinated water per National Plumbing Code. Pools may connect to the sanitary sewer employing an indirect drain line. NO direct physical connection is allowed.
Electric, Gas and Water Blueprint
Your builder must submit a layout of all wiring, plumbing, and gas connections. It also includes the pool location, based on the property line and all utility easements.
Topographical Survey & Drainage Plan
If your home is in a 100-year Flood Plain area, a topographical survey and drainage plan is required. The process can take up to two weeks for the engineer to prepare and two additional weeks for the city to review. Also, an engineer may recommend a swale inlet once the permit is approved, at an additional charge.
HOA Approval
Living in a community that’s run by a homeowner’s association can have its benefits. But it can also make some aspects of property ownership a little confusing. Before building anything, have the prospect request approval from their homeowner’s association, and submit it with the permit application.
Lot Coverage
A lot-coverage relates to anything that covers the property. For example, if you decide to build a swimming pool in your back yard and a pool deck is in the plans, your builder must provide the information to the city, and verify how much coverage the institution allows to place the layer.
Windows and the Swimming Pool
If windows are facing the swimming pool, the city of League City requires that the plans include the total number of windows installed and the distance from the swimming pool. Any window, or windows, facing the swimming pool cannot be closer than five feet.
Steel Schedule on Plan
All in-ground swimming pools require steel bars to give shape to an oasis. The schedule provides information such as length, width, thickness, and the total number of bars based on the square footage of the pool.
Specifications
The builder must provide a document with specifications for the swimming pool, spa, deck, and equipment.
As a reputable pool company for over twenty years, Platinum Pools believes in building fun with safety in mind. One of our goals is to inform everyone who wants a pool what to expect during the construction process. We want to make your journey a smooth one. Our team of experts is ready to help you. Call us at 281.870.1600 or visit our website for a free quote.