How Long Does It Take to Get a Pool Permit in Your Area?

Constructing your dream pool is about more than just where you’ll put the water features. One of the first major hurdles you and your pool builders will need to jump over is securing pool permits. That, unfortunately, can be a lengthy process.

Every timeline ultimately differs based on where the new pool owner lives, so just how long could it take for you? Let’s look at what can affect how long you’ll wait and break down specific things you’ll run into depending on your city.

What Impacts Pool Permit Approval Time?

There’s not a ton you can do to move things along once you’ve submitted your paperwork. Your only hope of controlling the timeline comes before you send it for approval. If you want to receive your permit fast, you’ll need every necessary document and detailed plan ready to go. Anything with missing info is bound to get lost in translation and eat up precious planning phase time.

Incomplete forms or site plans will do you no favors, so double-check everything before you submit. Your pool builder will gladly help you sort things out here, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any assistance. It’s always wise to have more people involved with the process so there are more eyes to catch any potential errors.

Once it’s out of your hands, though, the fate of your pool permit lies in those of your local government. And if your city hall is swimming in applications or is otherwise short-staffed, you can expect yours to sit in a backlog for a few weeks, no matter how much you did right.

That becomes even more true if you’re building during peak construction season or live in a larger city. Smaller towns might have faster turnaround times, but they also have fewer staff, and that can cancel out any line-jumping you’d be doing by living somewhere less urban.

Of course, these details are not here to discourage you; on the contrary, they should empower you to make smarter choices when planning your project. Knowing what can impact permit approvals will give you insight into when you should schedule your project and help you temper your expectations based on where you live.

Pool Permit Requirements and Timing Based on Location

Your permit requirements and timeline ultimately hinges on where you live and the government that is responsible for processing it. Here are some local cities that often handle pool building permits and what their requirements (and approval quirks) are like:

Tampa Bay Pool Permits

The City of Tampa is certainly no stranger to residential pool and spa builds. Its website outlines a clear timeline for pool permits:

• Application process
• Fee payment
• Plan review
• Inspection

Project Coordination Status Report (PCSR)

The first four are mostly self-explanatory, while the PCSR is something you apply for as a confirmation that you’ve completed all the previously required items for permitting. According to Tampa’s website, you’ll need a healthy amount of documentation to proceed, including a site plan, location and dimensions, site elevations, and a survey of the area (if you plan to install over 1,000 square feet of decking).

Tampa Bay is a larger city in a warm climate, so you can imagine that it’s far more likely to be bogged down by permit requests. At the same time, it’s also used to it, which is hopefully a benefit that will make it easier for you to get your permit in a reasonable time.

Sarasota Pool Permits

Sarasota County, through its Building Division, adopts a more general approach to permitting. The Division is a sector of government that exists solely to deal with permitting, licensing, inspections, and plan review, and its website has easy access to the Florida Building Code and scheduling information.

It is also home to a unique application portal called the Accela Civic Application (ACA), which acts as a catch-all for “processing various activities and services throughout the development review process, from applying for a building permit to registering as a licensed contractor to tracking the status of a code enforcement case.”

In other words, it might ask for more or different details than other cities would. Make sure you have anything you might consider relevant on hand, such as information about the contractor working on the project or proof of ownership of your property.

Beyond that, the process is similar to securing permits anywhere else: You’ll need to apply online with the proper documentation, and that includes submitting project plans.

North Port Pool Permits

North Port has nifty checklists available that are specific to in-ground and above-ground pools. The in-ground pool checklist, for instance, covers ten items and has contact information at the top ready to go, making it remarkably beneficial for keeping track of documentation so you don’t miss anything and accidentally delay the process.

The city also uses an appointment system to help with wait times, which is fantastic considering just how long walk-in government visits can take. Its permitting website even features multiple applications, forms, and affidavits, all in PDF form.

With the direct application process and required appointment setting, North Port could potentially be among the faster cities to get a pool permit. However, that’s still just an assumption; a high volume of applicants or a lack of timely communication between parties can still occur and cause setbacks.

Know How Your City’s Pool Building Permit Process Operates

For as similar as the cities mentioned above are, they each have just enough differences that it’s important to research exactly what your city expects from you before you fill anything out.

If you’re ever lost or confused about the pool permit process, remember that your contractors are an excellent resource. Not only will they be able to help you navigate this process, but they’ll have experience getting these permits through multiple local governments. They can provide insight into what you should expect out of the process based on their experience and tell you what you really need to have before you apply.

Enjoy a Painless Pool Building Process With Tampa Bay Pools

From the permit process to the finishing touches, the team at Tampa Bay Pools is here to make every step simpler for you. Reach out to us today to learn more about our process and start designing the perfect pool!