Essential Pool Site Preparation Permits Guide
If your home doesn’t have a swimming pool, designing and building one can seem like an enticing project. A pool will give your family an exciting place to relax and stay cool. Before you plan your pool construction, it can help to understand the permitting process.
Does Your Florida Pool Builder Need a Building Permit?
Building a swimming pool almost always requires a building permit. Here’s a look at specific types of pools and the probability that you’ll need a permit to build them.
Inground Pools
Most construction projects require building permits. This includes inground pools, which require excavating the land, building the framework, and installing utility equipment.
Above-Ground Pools
Florida building codes usually don’t apply to installing an above-ground pool. This policy changes when the pool is 24 inches or deeper. Adding a pool deck or electrical components will also change the nature of the project and require a building permit.
Commercial/Public Pools
Since a wider range of people have access to a commercial or public pool, the construction must address safety and health concerns. It must meet building code requirements and pass inspections along the way.
Exceptions That May Not Require Permits
Smaller pools usually won’t require building permits, but these rules differ from one community to another. Always research the need for permits ahead of installing any swimming pool.
What to Know About Pool Permits in Florida
Before you review our builder’s photo gallery to get ideas for your pool design, it’s important to review state and local regulations. You might modify your plans to follow pool construction regulations.
Rules That Affect All Florida Property Owners
The Florida Building Code requires that all pool builders install safety features, such as drain covers and pool barriers. State laws also require that licensed contractors perform all of the required plumbing and electrical work. The installation of utility equipment must pass state inspections.
County Restrictions and Local Regulations
Certain Florida counties enforce additional rules for building swimming pools. For example, Miami-Dade County includes hurricane-resistance rules for swimming pools. In Broward County, pool design plans must include water drainage systems. Orange County’s rules for grounding electrical work reduce the risks of electrocution.
Check your county’s building codes to find specific restrictions that will affect your pool’s design or construction.
Documentation and Fees Associated With the Permit Process
Here’s a list of items that you or your pool builders must submit when applying for a building permit:
- Pool design plans/construction blueprints
- Property survey outlining the position of the pool
- Contractor and engineering contracts or agreements
- All permit fees
Keep in mind that the approval process usually takes two to four weeks. The wait can be longer during the busiest weeks of spring.
Safety Restrictions to Follow With Pool Design and Construction
Make sure your project’s design meets all Florida building codes and swimming pool requirements. Consider the building codes if you modify your pool’s construction as the project moves forward.
Florida Building Codes for Swimming Pools
The state’s building codes require minimum construction standards for the pool’s outer shell and decking. State codes also address the surrounding soil’s load-bearing support. You’ll find specifications for the installation of the plumbing and drainage systems.
Laws Concerning Fences and Safety Barriers
Florida has swimming pool barrier specifications to reduce the risk of accidental drowning. A fence (four feet or taller) must surround every swimming pool. Each fence must have a self-closing and self-latching gate. Homes that offer direct access to the pool must have alarms on the entry points leading to the pool.
Regulations for Pool Drain Covers
Your pool builders must design a drain cover that complies with the restrictions in the Virginia Graeme Baker Act. These rules reduce the risk of entrapment hazards for swimmers.
Plumbing and Electrical Design Restrictions
All swimming pools must have proper bonding and grounding to prevent electrical hazards. The state’s flow rate standards ensure every swimming pool maintains the minimum degree of water quality.
Passing the Florida Pool Inspection
Pool builders must submit to inspections at various points throughout the construction. Each inspection addresses a different aspect of the project, including electrical wiring, structural designs, and safety features. The pool must pass a final inspection.
An inspection failure can result from missing safety features, improperly installed equipment, or other flaws. The builder must correct the flaw and schedule a second inspection.
Permits Regarding Pool Modifications and Renovations
Even though you will follow basic pool maintenance tips, you might decide to upgrade your pool in the future. Here are a few renovations that require Florida building permits:
- Adding New Features: Installing a spa, waterfall, or new heater
- Making Structural Changes: Refinishing the pool, modifying the coping, or adding a deck
- Upgrading Plumbing or Electrical equipment: Installing pumps, filtration equipment, or lighting
A pool contractor can tell you if your pool renovation requires a building permit.
Missing a Permit? Understand the Consequences
Reputable builders won’t work on a pool construction without verifying that the property owner has the required permits. Some builders will help the property owner with permitting.
Failing to get the proper permits leads to severe consequences. In addition to facing stiff fines, you may not be able to sell your house or obtain homeowner’s insurance. That’s because you’ll lack the necessary documentation to prove you had the legal authority to modify your property.
Avoid the Most Common Pitfalls
Forgetting to check zoning laws can lead to complications with the permit process. It’s also vital to include all of the required safety features in the blueprints to avoid a permit denial. In addition, avoid doing any plumbing or electrical work yourself. Even if it seems simple, failing to hire a certified professional can affect your ability to pass inspections.
Take the Stress Out of Your Pool Project: Hire an Experienced Pool Builder
Tampa Bay Pools is a professional and experienced pool builder with satisfied customers throughout the Tampa Bay area. We’ll help you design your custom pool and navigate the permitting process. Contact us to discuss your pool ideas today!