Nassau County, FL Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)
Swimming pool permit rules in Nassau County, FL, also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations, set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- Florida Building Code § 105.1
- Above-ground exemption
- Under 24 in deep, 5,000 gal, entirely above ground
- Pool fence rule
- Replacement pool fences always need a permit
- Public pools
- Separate rule at FBC Section 105.1.4
- Enforcing agency
- Nassau County Building Department
Summary
Building a residential swimming pool in unincorporated Nassau County requires a Building Department permit under Florida Building Code Section 105.1, adopted by County Code Section 7-6. The only carve-out is a small prefabricated above-ground pool under 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons; replacing a pool's safety fence also needs its own building permit.
105.1 Required. Any owner or owner's authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure ... shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit. ... 2.Residential Fences/Privacy walls including, columns, posts, piers, entry gates, etc., not over 7 feet high above adjacent finished grade. (Made of any materials). Replacement pool fences will require a building permit. ... 9.Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to one and two-family dwellings that are less than 24 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground.
Full Breakdown
1 requires any owner who intends to construct a structure, which includes a swimming pool, to first apply to the building official and obtain a permit before work begins. 2. The exemption list also singles pools out for a targeted carve-back on the fence side: while ordinary residential fences and privacy walls up to 7 feet are permit-exempt under item 2, that same item specifies 'replacement pool fences will require a building permit,' so a homeowner replacing a pool's required safety barrier cannot rely on the general fence exemption. 031, a rule aimed at commercial and community pools rather than a single-family backyard pool.
Violations & Fines
Constructing an in-ground or oversized pool without the required building permit exposes the owner to an increased permit fee under Section 105.1's local fee schedule once discovered, and the building official can issue a stop-work order under Section 104.3. Unpermitted pool work can also be referred to code enforcement before the Special Magistrate for further fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to install an in-ground pool?
Are small above-ground pools exempt from a permit?
Do I need a permit just to replace my pool fence?
Does this cover public or community pools too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nassau County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Nassau County to another location·View the Florida swimming pools & spas overview
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