St. Petersburg, FL Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)
Swimming pool permit rules in St. Petersburg, FL, also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations, set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.
Key Facts
- Side/street-side/rear setback
- 5 ft. minimum
- Waterfront setback
- 8 ft. from property line/seawall
- Height threshold
- Over 12 in. above grade = above-ground
- Permit fee
- $75.00 flat (§ 12-6)
- In-ground comparison
- 5 ft. setback, $250 permit fee
- Code chapter
- Ch. 16, Land Development Regulations
Summary
An above-ground pool taller than 12 inches above grade must sit at least 5 feet from side, street-side and rear property lines, and at least 8 feet from a waterfront property line or seawall, under City Code § 16.60.050.2. A building permit is also required, with a flat $75.00 fee under § 12-6.
Pool, above ground (greater than 12 inches above existing grade) — Side, Street side, Rear: No closer to property line than 5 ft. Waterfront: No closer to property line or seawall than 8 ft. (Section 16.60.050.2, Setbacks, allowable encroachments table.) Required building setbacks that are less than what is required by this section shall supersede setbacks established by this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 54).
Full Breakdown
St. 2 (part of Chapter 16, Land Development Regulations) treats an above-ground pool as a structure/improvement once it stands more than 12 inches above existing grade, a threshold that also separates it from an in-ground pool, which the same table allows within 5 feet of any property line or seawall. For a pool over that 12-inch line, the required clearance is at least 5 feet from a side, street-side or rear property line, and at least 8 feet from a waterfront property line or seawall, reflecting the extra protection the code gives waterfront lots.
00 for an in-ground pool. Owners near a seawall should note the table's cross-reference warning that federal and state regulations governing waterfront construction may impose stricter limits than the city's own 8-foot setback.
Violations & Fines
Placing an above-ground pool inside the required setback, or installing one without the § 12-6 permit, is a violation of the Land Development Regulations and Chapter 12's fee requirement. Under the Code's general penalty (§ 1-7), violations carry a fine of up to $500.00, up to 60 days in jail, or both, and the Building Official can require removal or relocation of a noncompliant pool along with referral to the Code Enforcement Board under Chapter 9.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far from my property line can I put an above-ground pool?
Does the setback change if the pool is only a few inches tall?
Do I need a permit for an above-ground pool?
Can I use a smaller setback if my zoning district allows it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Petersburg
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Pool Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Pinellas County handle pool permits.