When you need a permit
Lee County's Pool Application and Permitting Guide says a residential pool permit is required to construct or renovate an in-ground pool. It also says an above-ground pool needs one when the water is 24 inches deep or more. The guide points to the Florida Building Code, Florida Statutes chapters 515, 514.0115, 553.73 and 553.909, and section 34-1176 of the Lee County Land Development Code.
Source: Lee County, Pool (Residential and Commercial) Application and Permitting Guide. We read an excerpt on November 5, 2026; the county site blocked a direct download by our script, so open the PDF yourself for the current forms and fees.
Which office issues the permit
Lee County handles permits for unincorporated areas. If your property is inside a city such as Fort Myers or Cape Coral, that city's building department issues the permit and sets its own forms and fees. Check your property's jurisdiction first. It saves a wasted application.
What the application must show about the barrier
The county guide says each pool permit application has to detail the barrier requirements for the pool, and the barrier has to be installed by the time of the final inspection. Your builder normally draws this on the site plan.
The five state safety features
Under section 515.27 of the Florida Statutes, a new residential swimming pool must have at least one of these to pass final inspection:
- An enclosure that isolates the pool from the house and meets the barrier rules in section 515.29.
- An approved safety pool cover.
- Exit alarms on every door and window that give direct access from the house to the pool, with a sound pressure rating of at least 85 dB A at 10 feet.
- Self-closing, self-latching doors for every door with direct access to the pool, with the release no lower than 54 inches above the floor.
- A pool alarm that sounds on accidental or unauthorized entry and is certified to ASTM F2208.
Section 515.29(1)(a) says a barrier must be at least 4 feet high on the outside.
Source: Florida Statutes chapter 515, read November 5, 2026. Statutes change; confirm the current text.
Licensed contractors
Section 489.105 of the Florida Statutes defines a residential pool/spa contractor as one whose scope covers the construction, repair and servicing of a residential swimming pool. It separates certified contractors, who may work anywhere in the state, from registered contractors, who may work only in the jurisdictions where they are registered. Use the DBPR license search to confirm status, license class and any discipline before you sign.
Source: Florida Statutes section 489.105, read November 5, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Who issues my pool permit in Fort Myers?
It depends on your address. Unincorporated Lee County permits come from Lee County Development and Community Services. A home inside a city is permitted by that city. Confirm with the building department before you sign a contract.
Is a fence required around a Florida pool?
Not always. Section 515.27 requires a new residential pool to have at least one of five safety features, and a barrier is only one of them. Your permit office or HOA may ask for more.
Who is responsible for the permit?
This is set in your contract. Ask your builder in writing who applies, who pays the fee and who schedules the inspections.