Pool Permit in Alachua County, Florida
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before installing an in-ground or above-ground residential swimming pool, hot tub, or spa. Site-specific plans must show how Florida Building Code pool barrier requirements (screen enclosure and openings, alarms, or a fence with height, openings, and gate details) will be met, and the electrical and gas contractors must pull their own permits once the pool permit is issued.
Issued byAlachua County Department of Growth Management, Building Division
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Alachua County requires a building permit for both in-ground and above-ground residential pools, billed at flat fees of $380.00 and $205.00 respectively. The county's Swimming Pool Minimum Plan Requirements and Checklist requires site plans, engineering details, and proof of compliance with Florida Building Code Section 454.2.17 pool barrier requirements before the permit is issued, and requires a separate Swimming Pool Compliance Form and Florida Building Pool Safety Act compliance documentation.
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When a permit is usually needed
Before installing an in-ground or above-ground residential swimming pool, hot tub, or spa. Site-specific plans must show how Florida Building Code pool barrier requirements (screen enclosure and openings, alarms, or a fence with height, openings, and gate details) will be met, and the electrical and gas contractors must pull their own permits once the pool permit is issued.
What your pool permit must meet in Florida
Florida residential pools are built under the Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), which the Legislature requires to incorporate the safety-feature and barrier standards of the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (Florida Statutes Chapter 515).
- State law requires the Florida Building Code to uniformly implement the pool-safety statutes by including standards for residential swimming pool barriers, pool covers, latching devices, and door and window exit alarms (F.S. 553.73).
- A new residential pool must be built with at least one of five listed safety features, not necessarily a fence: a compliant barrier, an approved safety pool cover, exit alarms on doors and windows with access to the pool, self-closing self-latching doors, or a certified pool alarm (F.S. 515.27).
- If a barrier is used, it must be at least 4 feet high on the outside and may not have gaps, openings, indentations, or structural components that could let a young child crawl under, squeeze through, or climb over it, placed far enough from the water's edge that a child who gets past it does not immediately fall in (F.S. 515.29).
- Pool gates must open outward away from the pool, be self-closing, and have a self-latching device with its release mechanism on the pool side, positioned out of a young child's reach (F.S. 515.29).
- Where a removable mesh safety barrier is used, it must comply with ASTM F2286 and may not be installed on top of an above-ground or on-ground pool (FBC-R, 8th Edition change).
Based on Florida Statutes Chapter 515 (Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act, ss. 515.27, 515.29) as implemented by the Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), Chapter 45. Read the code. Local amendments can be stricter; confirm the current requirement with your office before you build.
What a pool permit costs in Alachua County
How Alachua County compares in Florida
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Alachua Countythis page | Permit required | Any size |
| Brevard County | It depends | Permits are issued for in-ground pools and spas, and for above-ground pools with a depth of 24 inches or greater. |
| Broward County | Permit required | Any size |
| Charlotte County | Permit required | This residential pool/spa permit type includes spas, swim spas, and above-ground pools that are 24 inches or greater in depth. |
| Clay County | Permit required | Any size |
| Collier County | Permit required | Any size |
| Hernando County | It depends | Manufactured pools less than 24 inches deep are exempt from a building permit |
How to apply in Alachua County
In Alachua County, a residential pool permit application covers both construction and safety: a scaled site plan, structural plans for the pool, a barrier plan showing how the pool will be enclosed, and an electrical plan covering bonding and the equipment disconnect.
What most pool permit applications include:
- Pool and spa design and construction fall under the residential code chapter that folds in the swimming pool and spa code, and permit review checks plans against that chapter (IRC R326).
- For Alachua County, the site plan must show pool equipment such as pumps, filters, and heaters set back at least 36 inches from the outside of the required barrier (ISPSC 305.2.9).
- For an in-ground pool, engineered structural plans covering the shell and reinforcing steel, with the responsible structural engineer's license information, are a standard part of the submittal (per official pool submittal checklists).
- For Alachua County, a barrier plan identifying the fence, pool structure, or dwelling wall that will enclose the pool must be submitted and must comply with the code's barrier chapter (ISPSC 305).
- Electrical plans must show the pool's equipotential bonding design, since the shell, perimeter surfaces, and metal fittings within 5 feet of the water must all tie into a common bonding grid (NEC 680.26).
- For Alachua County, the electrical plan must also show a disconnecting means for the pool equipment that is readily accessible and within sight of the equipment (NEC 680.13).
General submittal guidance from 2021 IRC R326 (adopting the ISPSC), ISPSC 2021 Section 305, and NEC 2020 Article 680. Source. Alachua County Department of Growth Management, Building Division sets the exact checklist for Alachua County.
Where to apply in Alachua County:
Alachua County Department of Growth Management, Building Division
- County Annex Building, 1st Floor, 10 SW 2nd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601
- Phone: 352-374-5243
- Email: building@alachuacounty.us
Pool Permit in Alachua County compared with nearby Florida localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Florida schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alachua County | Permit required | Any size | Flat fees: swimming pool (in-ground) $380.00, swimming pool (above-ground) $205.00, per... | |
| Brevard County | It depends | Permits are issued for in-ground pools and spas, and for above-ground pools with a depth of 24 inches or greater. | ...Pool Permit Application fee table lists a Building Code Review fee of $75.00 for... | |
| Broward County | Permit required | Any size | ...per the county's Swimming Pools procedure, each charged the greater of a $125... | |
| Charlotte County | Permit required | This residential pool/spa permit type includes spas, swim spas, and above-ground pools that are 24 inches or greater in depth. | At application: $94 flat fee for above-ground pools or $200 for in-ground pools, plus a... | |
| Clay County | Permit required | Any size | ...208.5), effective January 1, 2025: minimum fee for the first 15,000 gallons $75.00... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Alachua County, pool inspections track the concrete pour: the steel and bonding grid are checked before gunite or shotcrete goes in, bonding is checked again before decking is poured, and the permanent barrier and remaining electrical work are checked at final before the pool can be filled and used.
- In Alachua County: before gunite or shotcrete is sprayed, the inspector checks the rebar against the engineered plans and confirms the equipotential bonding wire is stubbed out and tied into the steel, since it will be buried in concrete afterward (NEC 680.26).
- In Alachua County: a bonding inspection separately confirms coping, decking, ladders, handrail cups, and any other metal within 5 feet of the water are tied to the bonding grid, and it must pass before coping is installed (NEC 680.26).
- In Alachua County: a temporary barrier at least 4 feet high must enclose the site from the moment excavation starts until the permanent barrier is finished, and inspectors check for it throughout construction (ISPSC 305.1.1).
- In Alachua County: a pre-plaster inspection confirms the circulation equipment's electrical work is installed and all bonding is complete before the pool's interior finish goes on (NEC 680.26).
- In Alachua County: at final inspection the permanent barrier is checked against the code's requirements and the equipment and cover-mechanism bonding must be complete before the pool can be filled and used (ISPSC 305, NEC 680.26).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Alachua County permit portal or by phone at 352-374-5243.
Inspection sequence from NEC 2020 Article 680.26 (equipotential bonding) and ISPSC 2021 Section 305 (barriers). Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Pool Permit checklist for Alachua County
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before installing an in-ground or above-ground residential swimming pool, hot tub, or spa. Site-specific plans must show how Florida Building Code pool barrier requirements (screen enclosure and openings, alarms, or a fence with height, openings, and gate details) will be met, and the electrical and gas contractors must pull their own permits once the pool permit is issued.
- Budget the fee. Flat fees: swimming pool (in-ground) $380.00, swimming pool (above-ground) $205.00, per the Building Fee Schedule effective 11/01/2025. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Alachua County, a residential pool permit application covers both construction and safety: a scaled site plan, structural plans for the pool, a barrier plan showing how the pool will be enclosed, and an electrical plan covering bonding and the equipment disconnect. Start at the Alachua County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Alachua County Department of Growth Management, Building Division. Phone: 352-374-5243. Address: County Annex Building, 1st Floor, 10 SW 2nd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601.
- Plan for inspections. In Alachua County, pool inspections track the concrete pour: the steel and bonding grid are checked before gunite or shotcrete goes in, bonding is checked again before decking is poured, and the permanent barrier and remaining electrical work are checked at final before the pool can be filled and used.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a pool permit in Alachua County?
- Alachua County requires a building permit for both in-ground and above-ground residential pools, billed at flat fees of $380.00 and $205.00 respectively. The county's Swimming Pool Minimum Plan Requirements and Checklist requires site plans, engineering details, and proof of compliance with Florida Building Code Section 454.2.17 pool barrier requirements before the permit is issued, and requires a separate Swimming Pool Compliance Form and Florida Building Pool Safety Act compliance documentation. Always confirm with the Alachua County Department of Growth Management, Building Division before starting.
- How much does a pool permit cost in Alachua County?
- Flat fees: swimming pool (in-ground) $380.00, swimming pool (above-ground) $205.00, per the Building Fee Schedule effective 11/01/2025. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a pool permit in Alachua County?
- You can apply through the Alachua County permit portal or contact the Alachua County Department of Growth Management, Building Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a pool permit themselves in Alachua County?
- Under Florida law (F.S. 489.103(7)(a)-(c)): Florida lets you pull your own permit as an owner-builder under section 489.103(7), Florida Statutes, which exempts property owners from the contractor licensing law when they act as their own contractor and provide direct, onsite supervision of all work not performed by licensed contractors. The exemption covers building or improving a one-family or two-family residence or a farm outbuilding for your own occupancy or use, and commercial buildings only up to a $75,000 cost, and the property may not be built or improved for sale or lease. If you sell or lease the property within 1 year after completing the work, the law presumes it was built for sale or lease, which violates the exemption. To qualify, you must personally appear and sign the building permit application and sign a state-prescribed disclosure statement acknowledging that you are the party legally and financially responsible for the construction, that you must provide direct, onsite supervision, and that unlicensed people you use must be your own employees, bringing federal tax withholding and workers' compensation obligations. You may not hire an unlicensed person to act as your contractor and may not delegate supervision to anyone who is not licensed for the work being done; if these requirements are violated, the local permitting agency shall withhold final approval, revoke the permit, or pursue unlicensed-activity remedies. A separate narrow branch of the exemption also lets an owner take over and complete a permit on a one-family or two-family residence when the original contractor substantially completed the project. Confirm how Alachua County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Alachua County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | Permit required | Any size | No deck-specific flat fee is published |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Any size | No electrical-specific flat fee is published |
| Fence Permit | Permit required | Any size | No fence-specific flat fee is published |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Any size | Flat fee: Res Mechanical Alt/Repair $110.00, per the Building Fee Schedule effective... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Any size | No plumbing-specific flat fee is published |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | area of roof repair or replacement | Flat fee: Roof: New Residential $220.00, Roof: Repair Residential $220.00, per the... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | area of a single storage shed, exemption available once per property | No shed-specific flat fee is published for sheds that don't qualify for the exemption |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Any size | No solar-specific flat fee is published |
Pool Permit in other Florida localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Alachua County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this pool permit page for Alachua County was verified. 2 official sources: growth-management.alachuacounty.us, growth-management.alachuacounty.us; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Alachua County Department of Growth Management, Building Division. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
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