Swimming Pool permit in Plantation, FL
Yes — you need a permit for swimming pool work in Plantation.
You need a permit to install a pool, in-ground or above-ground. Plantation's code says so directly: a pool permit is required, and it will not be issued unless you also get a permit for the required safety barrier at the same time. The barrier must fully enclose the pool or the premises, and a wood fence must be built so it cannot be climbed through or over (Sec. 5-40).
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a permit to install a pool, in-ground or above-g… |
| Fee | The structural pool fee is 1.75% of the project cost; electrical, plumbing, and mechanical are billed on the non-residential scale. The minimum permit fee is $95. Amounts are on the city fee schedule at www.plantation.org. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 5-38; barrier in Sec. 5-40 |
| Based on | Plantation Code of Ordinances, Ch. 5, Art. IV (Swimming Pool Standards); Florida Building Code 2023 |
Most building codes exempt a prefab pool under 24 inches deep. Plantation 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 Plantation 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
If you start work without a valid permit, the city charges a double permit fee; the code sets a charge of $400 or double the fee, whichever is greater.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plantation | — | Yes | You need a permit to install a pool, in-ground or above-g… |
| Sunrise | 3 mi | Yes | Every in-ground and above-ground pool needs a permit, and… |
| Lauderhill | 3 mi | Yes | Installing an in-ground or above-ground pool needs a perm… |
| Davie | 3 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Tamarac | 5 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Fort Lauderdale | 7 mi | Yes | All in-ground and above-ground pools need a permit, and y… |
Other work in Plantation
Questions people ask
How much does a swimming pool permit cost in Plantation?
The structural pool fee is 1.75% of the project cost; electrical, plumbing, and mechanical are billed on the non-residential scale. The minimum permit fee is $95. Amounts are on the city fee schedule at www.plantation.org.. 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?
Plantation 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.