Florida Pool Permits Explained: What Homeowners Need to Know

Permits are the part of building a pool that nobody gets excited about. But understanding the process upfront prevents delays, surprises, and headaches. If you're building a pool in Bradenton, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, or anywhere in Manatee, Sarasota, or Charlotte County, here's exactly what you need to know — in plain English.

Do I Need a Permit to Build a Pool in Florida?

Yes. In Florida, almost everything related to pool construction requires a permit. This isn't optional, and unpermitted work can result in fines, forced removal, and serious problems when you try to sell your home.

Here's what requires a permit:

• Any in-ground swimming pool — no exceptions, regardless of size
• Screen enclosures — they're structures, so they need a building permit
• Electrical work — pool equipment, underwater lighting, bonding, and GFI protection
• Plumbing connections — water supply lines, drains, and equipment plumbing
• Fencing or barriers — safety barriers around the pool area must meet code
• Spas and hot tubs — if they involve plumbing or electrical, they need permits
• Decking — concrete or paver decks may require a separate permit depending on scope

What Types of Pool Permits Are Required?

A pool project isn't just one permit — it's typically two or three, filed together as part of a single project application.

Building Permit

This covers the pool structure itself: excavation, steel reinforcement, gunite shell, plumbing, and the barrier (fence or screen enclosure). It's the main permit and requires engineered construction drawings.

Electrical Permit

Covers all pool-related electrical work: equipment wiring, lighting, bonding (connecting all metal components to a common ground), and GFI protection. This is usually pulled separately by a licensed electrician.

Plumbing Permit

Some counties require a separate plumbing permit for the water supply connection, drain lines, and equipment plumbing. In other counties, plumbing is included under the building permit. It varies.

How Much Do Pool Permits Cost in Florida?

Permit fees vary by county and project scope. Here's what you can expect in SW Florida for your overall pool budget:

Permit costs are based on the declared value of the project. A $70,000 pool will have lower fees than a $140,000 pool. Your builder should be able to estimate permit costs accurately before you sign a contract.

How Long Does the Pool Permit Process Take?

Here's the typical sequence from application to final approval. For a full breakdown of each phase, see our pool construction timeline guide:

1. Application submission. Your builder submits engineered drawings, a site plan, and permit applications to the county building department. This package includes structural engineering, equipment specs, barrier details, and setback measurements.
2. Plan review (2–4 weeks). The county reviews your plans for code compliance. If they need changes, they'll issue revision comments and the clock resets. Clean submissions get approved faster.
3. Permit approval. Once approved, the building department issues the permit. Construction can begin.
4. Construction with inspections. During the build, the county inspector visits at specific milestones (more on this below).
5. Final inspection and approval. After the pool is complete, filled, and the barrier is in place, the county does a final inspection. Once passed, you're officially permitted and approved.

"The fastest we've gone from application to permit approval is 10 days. The slowest was 6 weeks — because the HOA sat on the architectural review for a month."

Pool Permit Requirements by County in SW Florida

Manatee County

The Manatee County Building Department handles pool permits through their online portal. The process is relatively straightforward, and plan review typically takes 2–3 weeks. They're responsive to questions and revision requests. Setback requirements follow standard Florida Building Code minimums unless your HOA or community imposes stricter rules.

Sarasota County

Similar process to Manatee, but Sarasota County sometimes has stricter setback requirements, especially in older neighborhoods and waterfront properties. If your property has specific zoning overlays (flood zone, environmental buffer, etc.), expect additional review steps. Plan review averages 2–4 weeks.

Charlotte County

Charlotte County is a fast-growing area, and the permit office can be slower due to volume. Plan review may take 3–4 weeks during peak building season. Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda properties may have additional requirements depending on the development. Submit clean, complete applications to avoid delays.

Does My HOA Need to Approve a Pool?

If you live in a deed-restricted community (and most SW Florida neighborhoods are), you'll likely need HOA or architectural review board (ARB) approval before you can even apply for a county permit.

Here's what that typically looks like:

• Submit an architectural review application to your HOA with pool plans, screen enclosure details, and a site plan showing setbacks.
• Wait for ARB review — this can take 2–4 weeks depending on your HOA's meeting schedule. Some boards only meet monthly.
• Receive approval (or revision requests). Some HOAs have specific requirements about screen enclosure height, equipment location, or even pool shape. Revisions add time.
• Only after HOA approval can you submit to the county for building permits.

This means the HOA process can add 2–6 weeks to your timeline before construction even gets to the county level. We always recommend starting the HOA application as early as possible — ideally while your pool design is being finalized.

What Are Pool Setback Requirements in Florida?

Setbacks are the minimum distances your pool must be from property lines, structures, easements, and other features. They're non-negotiable.

• Pool to property line: Typically 5–10 feet, depending on the county and zoning district
• Pool equipment to property line: Usually 5 feet minimum — and noise ordinances may push equipment further from neighbors
• Screen enclosure to property line: Typically 5–7.5 feet
• Pool to septic system: 5–10 feet from drain field (varies by county health department)
• Pool to house: Usually no minimum setback from your own home, but there are practical construction requirements

Your builder should confirm all setback requirements during the design phase — before you fall in love with a layout that won't fit your lot.

What Inspections Are Required During Pool Construction?

A typical pool build requires 4–6 inspections by the county building inspector. Each inspection must pass before the next phase of construction can proceed.

1. Layout / Setback inspection. After excavation, before steel. The inspector verifies the pool is positioned correctly on the lot and setbacks are met.
2. Steel and plumbing inspection. After rebar is tied and plumbing is installed, before gunite is sprayed. This verifies structural integrity and plumbing code compliance.
3. Electrical inspection. After all pool electrical is wired — equipment, lighting, bonding. Must pass before anything gets energized.
4. Barrier / Fence inspection. The safety barrier (screen enclosure or fence) must be in place and code-compliant before the pool can be filled and used.
5. Deck inspection (if required). Some counties inspect the deck for drainage, thickness, and proper installation.
6. Final inspection. Everything is complete, the pool is filled, equipment is running, and the inspector does a full walkthrough. Once this passes, you're done.

Failed inspections happen. They're not the end of the world — you fix the issue and reschedule. A good builder rarely fails inspections because they know code requirements inside and out.

Should My Pool Builder Handle Permitting?

Some homeowners ask if they should pull permits themselves to save money. Short answer: no. A qualified pool builder handles all of this for you.

• Licensed contractors pull cleaner permits. Building departments know who submits complete applications and who doesn't. Experienced builders get fewer revision requests.
• Engineering is required. Pool plans must be stamped by a licensed structural engineer. Your builder has an engineer on retainer; you'd have to hire one separately ($1,500–$3,000).
• Coordination matters. Building, electrical, and plumbing permits need to be sequenced correctly. Your builder manages all of this.
• It's included in our price. At Pelican Bay, all permitting — applications, plan review, inspections, and coordination — is included in your contract. You don't pay extra, and you don't have to deal with any of it.

Common Permit Delays (and How to Avoid Them)

• Incomplete applications. Missing documents, unclear site plans, or wrong forms. Solution: work with a builder who submits permits regularly.
• HOA back-and-forth. Revision requests, delayed meetings, or unclear HOA guidelines. Solution: submit to your HOA early and include detailed plans upfront.
• Engineering revisions. If the county wants structural changes, the engineer has to revise and restamp. Solution: experienced builders know what each county expects and design accordingly.
• Incorrect setback measurements. If your survey is outdated or measurements are off, the layout inspection will fail. Solution: get a current survey and verify setbacks during design.
• Peak season volume. January through April is peak permit season. Counties get backed up. Solution: plan your project timing and submit early.

Bottom Line

Pool permits in Florida are straightforward once you understand the process. The key is working with a builder who handles everything — applications, engineering, inspections, HOA coordination — so you don't have to navigate the bureaucracy yourself.

If you're thinking about building a pool in Manatee, Sarasota, or Charlotte County, we'll walk you through the entire process during your free design consultation. No surprises, no hidden fees, no permit headaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a pool permit in Florida?

Plan review typically takes two to four weeks depending on the county. Manatee County averages two to three weeks, Sarasota County two to four weeks, and Charlotte County three to four weeks during busy seasons. HOA approval can add an additional two to six weeks before you even submit to the county.

Can I build a pool without a permit in Florida?

No. All in-ground pools in Florida require a building permit. Unpermitted pools can result in fines, forced removal, and major complications when selling your home. Your builder should handle the entire permitting process.

How much does a pool permit cost in Florida?

Total permit fees for a residential pool in SW Florida typically range from $500 to $1,500, depending on the county and project value. This includes building, electrical, and plumbing permits plus plan review fees.

Does my pool need to pass inspections during construction?

Yes. A typical pool build requires four to six inspections by the county building inspector, including layout, steel and plumbing, electrical, barrier, and final inspections. Each must pass before the next construction phase can begin.

Sources

• Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023) — Chapter 4: Residential Swimming Pools
• Manatee County Building Department — Residential Pool Permit Requirements
• Sarasota County Zoning & Building Services — Pool Setback & Permit Guidelines
• Charlotte County Community Development — Building Permit Fee Schedule
• Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA)

Permit requirements and fees are subject to change. Information reflects 2025–2026 guidelines for Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties. Always confirm current requirements with your local building department or your licensed pool contractor.