Swimming Pool permit in Homestead, FL
Yes — you need a permit for swimming pool work in Homestead.
Every in-ground and above-ground pool is a Building-type structure with no exemption, so it needs a permit, and you must install the required safety barrier around the pool or the premises.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Every in-ground and above-ground pool is a Building-type … |
| Fee | General building permit application fee: $125 minimum plus 1.5% of construction value (Sec. 6-52); state and county surcharges also apply. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | FBC 105.2 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023 |
Most building codes exempt a prefab pool under 24 inches deep. Homestead is stricter — a permit applies at any depth.
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Homestead building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
If you skip it
Homestead's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homestead | — | Yes | Every in-ground and above-ground pool is a Building-type … |
| Doral | 25 mi | Yes | A pool must also have a safety barrier before it passes f… |
| Miami | 26 mi | Yes | You need a permit to install a pool, in-ground or above-g… |
| Hialeah | 29 mi | Yes | You need a permit to install a pool, in-ground or above-g… |
| Miami Beach | 30 mi | Yes | Your pool must also have a safety barrier before it can p… |
| Miramar | 36 mi | Yes | All in-ground and above-ground pools need a permit, and y… |
Other work in Homestead
Questions people ask
How much does a swimming pool permit cost in Homestead?
General building permit application fee: $125 minimum plus 1.5% of construction value (Sec. 6-52); state and county surcharges also apply.. Valuation-based fees mean the number depends on what the job is worth, so the department quotes it when you apply.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Homestead can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.