Broward County, FL Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)
Swimming pool permit rules in Broward County, FL, also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations, set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.
Key Facts
- Permit Required
- Yes, through county or city
- Pool Safety Act
- FL 515.27 minimum one safety feature
- Barrier Height
- 48 inches (FBC residential)
- Drain Covers
- VGB Act compliant anti-entrapment
- Final Inspection
- Required before filling
Summary
Residential pool construction in Broward County requires a building permit, barrier inspection, and compliance with the Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (FL 515.27) which mandates at least one approved safety feature.
F.S. 515.27 Residential swimming pool safety feature options; penalties. — (1) In order to pass final inspection and receive a certificate of completion, a residential swimming pool must meet at least one of the following requirements relating to pool safety features: (a) The pool must be isolated from access to a home by an enclosure that meets the pool barrier requirements of s. 515.29;
(b) The pool must be equipped with an approved safety pool cover;
(c) All doors and windows providing direct access from the home to the pool must be equipped with an exit alarm that has a minimum sound pressure rating of 85 dB A at 10 feet;
(d) All doors providing direct access from the home to the pool must be equipped with a self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor; or
(e) A swimming pool alarm that, when placed in a pool, sounds an alarm upon detection of an accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water.
(2) A person who fails to equip a new residential swimming pool with at least one pool safety feature as required in subsection (1) commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, except that no penalty shall be imposed if the person, within 45 days after arrest or issuance of a summons or a notice to appear, has equipped the pool with at least one safety feature as required in subsection (1) and has attended a drowning prevention education program established by s. 515.31.
Full Breakdown
Installing an in-ground or above-ground pool in unincorporated Broward County or its cities requires a building permit from the Broward County Building Code Services Division or the relevant city building department. Submittals must include site plan, pool plans signed and sealed by a Florida-licensed engineer or architect (for in-ground), electrical plans for pump and lighting, plumbing and drainage plans, and a barrier plan compliant with the Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act. 29 standards (minimum 4 feet high, self-closing self-latching gate), an approved safety pool cover (ASTM F1346), exit alarms on all doors/windows providing direct access to the pool, or all doors providing direct access equipped with self-closing/self-latching devices at least 54 inches above the floor.
Broward County also enforces the Florida Building Code's more comprehensive 48-inch barrier rule in most applications. Final inspection is required before the pool may be filled and used. Pools must also meet the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act anti-entrapment drain cover requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for an above-ground pool?
What safety features are required?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
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