Swimming Pool / Spa / Hot Tub Permit (Unincorporated Pinellas County)
New residential pools, spas, and hot tubs in unincorporated Pinellas County require a building permit ('Pools & Spas - Above Ground / Inground' record types) applied for through the Pinellas County Access Portal (Accela). Every application must include a Residential Swimming Pool/Spa/Hot Tub Safety Act acknowledgement selecting one of four drowning-prevention measures (barrier per FS 515.29, ASTM F1346-91 safety cover, 85 dB exit alarms, or self-closing/self-latching doors at 54 inches), plus a no-objection letter from the electric company. BDRS serves unincorporated areas and six partner communities; other cities issue their own pool permits.
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Who needs this
Anyone constructing or installing a new swimming pool, spa, or hot tub (above ground or inground) at a residence in unincorporated Pinellas County. Typically pulled by a licensed pool contractor; the county's owner-builder rules (Owner/Contractor Affidavit, in-person verification, FS 489.103(7) disclosure) apply if the homeowner qualifies to pull their own permit.
Steps
- 1
Confirm jurisdiction and zoning
Verify the property is in unincorporated Pinellas County (or a BDRS partner community) and check zoning/setback requirements for pools before applying; the county's Residential Permits page lists verifying zoning for pools as a pre-application step. Floodplain properties face special rules and Substantial Improvement review.
pinellas.gov/residential-permits/ - 2
Prepare plans and required letters
Structural work requires building plans digitally signed and sealed by an architect or engineer; trade work plans are signed by the contractor. Per the county Permitting Guide, pool applications require a Safety Act letter and a no-objection letter from the electric company. Include a current survey (within five years).
pinellas.gov/permitting-guide/ - 3
Complete the Residential Pool/Spa/Hot Tub Safety Act acknowledgement
Contractor and owner sign the Notice of Requirement, initialing one compliance method: an enclosure meeting the pool barrier requirements of FS 515.29; an approved safety pool cover complying with ASTM F1346-91; exit alarms (min 85 decibels at 10 feet) on all doors and windows with direct pool access; or self-closing, self-catching devices with release mechanisms no lower than 54 inches on all doors with direct pool access.
pinellas.gov/services/residential-pool-hot-tub-spa-safety-ac - 4
Apply on the Pinellas County Access Portal
Select the residential 'Pools & Spas' record type (Above Ground or Inground), upload plans, survey, and letters, and pay fees by credit card. Record and attach a Notice of Commencement for projects exceeding $5,000 (building trades) and keep it onsite for each inspection.
aca-prod.accela.com/pinellas/Default.aspx - 5
Pass inspections including the final
Schedule inspections through the Access Portal or by calling (727) 453-4000. One of the four Safety Act measures must be installed by final inspection: per the county form, missing it at final inspection (or when the pool is completed for contract purposes) violates Chapter 515 F.S. - a second-degree misdemeanor with fines up to $500 and/or up to 60 days in jail under Chapter 775 F.S.
pinellas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/pool-hottub.pdf
Requirements
- Building permit via the Access Portal (residential 'Pools & Spas - Above Ground / Inground' record types)
- Residential Swimming Pool/Spa/Hot Tub Safety Act Notice of Requirement signed by contractor and owner, selecting one of the four statutory drowning-prevention options
- One of: enclosure meeting FS 515.29 pool barrier requirements; ASTM F1346-91 compliant safety pool cover; 85 dB (at 10 ft) exit alarms on all doors/windows with direct pool access; self-closing, self-catching door devices with release no lower than 54 inches
- No-objection letter from the electric company (per the county Permitting Guide)
- Building plans digitally signed and sealed by an architect or engineer for structural work
- Current survey (within five years) per the county's general permitting standards
- Notice of Commencement recorded for projects exceeding $5,000 (building trades); must be onsite for each inspection
- Selected safety measure installed by final inspection (violation of Ch. 515 F.S. otherwise)
Documents
- Signed Residential Pool/Spa/Hot Tub Safety Act Notice of Requirement
- Electric company no-objection letter
- Signed and sealed pool plans (structural)
- Survey (within five years)
- Recorded Notice of Commencement (if over threshold)
- Owner/Contractor Affidavit if owner-builder
Fees
Previous fiscal-year fee amounts are shown below for a rough cost reference. They are not current quotes or guaranteed estimates, and actual fees may have changed. Confirm today's charge with the issuing building department or official payment portal.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee (pool/spa) | $550 up to $40,000 of value (includes building, electric, plan review); plus $5.50 per $1,000 above $40,000Historical FY26 rate. Current permit fee not verified. | Historical FY26 rate. Current permit fee not verified. This earlier amount is shown for ballpark context, not as today's payable charge. FY26 Adopted User Fees Schedule, effective Oct 1 2025 (accessed 2026-09-01). FY27 is proposed, not yet effective. NOTE: the county's public Building/Transportation/Zoning Fees page still links the superseded FY25 schedule. This amount is unchanged from FY25.Historical source |
Good to know
Pool permitting differs inside cities - each Pinellas municipality issues its own permits; this entry covers unincorporated Pinellas County (BDRS also serves Belleair Beach, Belleair Shore, Indian Rocks Beach, Kenneth City, Oldsmar and Safety Harbor). Gotchas: the county's own Safety Act form contains a typo citing 'Chapter 315' once while its operative requirements cite FS 515.29 and Chapter 515 F.S. (the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act); one of the four safety measures must be physically installed by final inspection or it is a second-degree misdemeanor. County pages fetched do not state electrical bonding specifics - bonding/electrical requirements come from the Florida Building Code and are inspected under the permit, but no county-page detail was available to cite. Floodplain lots trigger Substantial Improvement rules.