Before You Build in Venice, FL: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Venice Code Ch. 88 (Building Regulations) adopts the Florida Building Code and the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (Fla. Stat. Ch. 515). Every residential pool, spa or hot tub must have a 4-foot perimeter barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates opening outward away from the pool.

Under Venice Land Development Code Ch. 86, Art. VI, Div. 9 (Berms, Walls and Fences) Sec. 86-497, residential fences are limited to 6 feet in side and rear yards. Front-yard solid fences are limited to 3 feet; open (sight-permeable) fences may be up to 6 feet.

Venice Code Ch. 88 (Building Regulations) requires a permit for fences exceeding code limits or proposed in commercial/non-residential zones, and for all pool-barrier fences. Compliant residential perimeter fences within Sec. 86-497 height limits typically do not need a building permit but must follow zoning.

Florida does not have a statewide partition-fence law; Venice treats boundary fences as the sole property of the constructing owner unless a shared agreement exists. Venice Code Sec. 86-497 still controls height and material - on both sides of the fence.

Construction of any in-ground or above-ground residential pool in Venice requires a building permit under Ch. 88 (Building Regulations). Plans must include a barrier-compliance affidavit under Fla. Stat. 515.27.

Every residential pool, spa, or hot tub in Venice must have at least one of four safety features under Fla. Stat. 515.27: a 48-inch perimeter barrier with self-closing/latching gates, an approved safety cover, exit alarms on every door/window, or self-closing/latching devices on doors with release at least 54 inches from the floor.

Above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches qualify as 'swimming pools' under Fla. Stat. 515.25(8) and require both a Venice Ch. 88 permit and full compliance with the Residential Pool Safety Act, including barrier or alternative safety feature.

The Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (Fla. Stat. 515) requires every Venice pool, spa or hot tub to satisfy one of four safety options - barrier, cover, door alarm or self-latching door release - before passing final inspection under Ch. 88.

Venice's Land Development Code (Ch. 86/87) governs accessory dwelling units (ADUs). ADUs are limited to specific zoning districts, generally cannot exceed 50% of the primary dwelling's living area, and must meet a separate building permit under Ch. 88.

Sheds and accessory structures in Venice require a building permit under Ch. 88 when over 120 square feet or affixed to a permanent foundation. All sheds must comply with the accessory-structure setbacks in Ch. 86/87 and meet 150-mph wind-load standards.

Venice Code Ch. 38 prohibits all open burning that has not been specifically permitted by the Florida Forest Service. Bonfires, campfires and burning of yard debris are not allowed inside city limits absent an FFS permit.

Recreational fires in Venice are regulated under Venice Code Ch. 38 (Fire Prevention and Protection), which adopts the Florida Fire Prevention Code. NFPA 1 Section 10.11 limits recreational fires to 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height and requires a 25-foot setback from any structure or combustible material.

Tree trimming in Venice must follow ANSI A300 best management practices under Venice Code Ch. 89. Hat-racking or severe topping of Heritage and Venetian Trees is prohibited and treated as removal if it removes more than 25% of the canopy.

Venice Code Ch. 89 (Environmental Regulations) Sec. 89-3 governs tree preservation, protection and replacement. Removal of Heritage Trees, Venetian Trees, and Canopy Road Trees requires a city tree removal permit; replacement is required at a 1:1 tree-inch ratio.

Venice is in the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) which limits residential lawn irrigation to two days per week year-round under SWFWMD Rule 40D-22 and Sarasota County Code Ch. 70.