Swimming Pool permit in Miami Gardens, FL
Yes — you need a permit for swimming pool work in Miami Gardens.
You need a permit to install a pool, in-ground or above-ground, and for the safety barrier around it. Florida's exempt list covers only gas, mechanical, and plumbing work, so pools are not exempt at any size. The barrier and safety features follow the state Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act. Screen enclosures and covered patios around a pool are listed as accessory structures in Sec. 34-311, which is a zoning rule, not an exemption.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a permit to install a pool, in-ground or above-g… |
| Fee | The code lists no dollar amounts. Fees are set by the city; check with the Building Division at www.miamigardens-fl.gov. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | FBC 105.2 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023, as adopted by Miami Gardens (Sec. 28-45) |
Most building codes exempt a prefab pool under 24 inches deep. Miami Gardens 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 Miami Gardens 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
Miami Gardens'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Gardens | — | Yes | You need a permit to install a pool, in-ground or above-g… |
| Miramar | 6 mi | Yes | All in-ground and above-ground pools need a permit, and y… |
| Hialeah | 7 mi | Yes | You need a permit to install a pool, in-ground or above-g… |
| Davie | 9 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Miami Beach | 11 mi | Yes | Your pool must also have a safety barrier before it can p… |
| Doral | 12 mi | Yes | A pool must also have a safety barrier before it passes f… |
Other work in Miami Gardens
Questions people ask
How much does a swimming pool permit cost in Miami Gardens?
The code lists no dollar amounts. Fees are set by the city; check with the Building Division at www.miamigardens-fl.gov.. 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?
Miami Gardens 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.