Florida commercial pool permits and DOH approval

A building permit and a DOH operating permit

The Florida Department of Health enforces sanitation and safety standards for public pools in Chapter 64E-9 of the Florida Administrative Code. Under Section 514.031, Florida Statutes, it is unlawful to operate a public swimming pool without a valid permit from the Department.

The Department of Health states that, under Chapters 514 and 553, Florida Statutes, an application for an operating permit must be submitted to it before the building department can issue a construction or modification permit for a public pool. It also states that the building department cannot issue a certificate of completion or occupancy until the Department of Health issues the operating permit.

In practice this means the DOH application is part of the start of a new pool or a modification, not a step left for the end.

Building department, then the county health department

• The building department reviews and permits the construction or modification under the Florida Building Code, which the Department of Health references in its plan-review checklists (2023 Florida Building Code, 8th edition).
• Permitting and inspections of the operating pool are done by the Environmental Public Health section of the Department of Health in each county.
• Permit renewals, copies of a permit and the status of a permit are handled by the local county health department.

Where the building permit comes from in our three counties

Which building department issues the permit depends on where the property sits, not just the county. A property inside a city with its own building department is permitted by that city.

• Miami-Dade: the county’s Building & Permits division (Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources) issues permits in unincorporated Miami-Dade. Cities such as the City of Miami run their own permitting (the City of Miami uses its iBuild system), and Miami-Dade notes that some municipal permits still need county approvals, including DOH.
• Broward: the county’s Building Code Division regulates construction in unincorporated Broward, the Broward Municipal Services District and the cities that contract with it. A property in a city outside that list is permitted by the city’s own building department; confirm with the city.
• Palm Beach: the county’s PZB Building Division administers the building codes in Palm Beach County; confirm with the city whether a property inside a municipality is permitted by the county or by the city.
• In all three counties, the operating permit comes from the Department of Health office in that county.

Condominium and HOA pools with 32 units or fewer

Section 514.0115, Florida Statutes, exempts pools serving no more than 32 condominium or cooperative units, and HOA or property-association pools with no more than 32 units or parcels, from supervision under Chapter 514, except for water quality. The exemption does not apply when the property is operated as a public lodging establishment. Read the statute for the full text before relying on it.

Drain covers under the federal VGB Act

Separately from state permits, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission states that since December 19, 2008, public pools and spas must have anti-entrapment drain covers that comply with 16 C.F.R. part 1450. A public pool or spa with a single drain that can be blocked, or several drains on the same plane less than three feet apart, needs a secondary device or system to prevent entrapment.

What to have ready for a permitted project

• The property address, so the right building department and county health office are known from the start.
• The pool’s current DOH operating permit, if the pool already exists.
• Any architectural or engineering plans, and past repair or inspection reports.
• Who on your side signs and who is the contact for the building and the health department.

Checked against the official text.

1. Florida Department of Health, Public Swimming Pools
2. Section 514.031, Florida Statutes (operating permits)
3. Section 514.0115, Florida Statutes (exemptions)
4. Chapter 64E-9, Florida Administrative Code (rule list)
5. Miami-Dade County, Building & Permits (RER)
6. City of Miami, Permits & Construction
7. Broward County, Building Code Division
8. Palm Beach County, PZB Building Division
9. U.S. CPSC, Pool and Spa Drain Covers (VGB Act)

Published 2026-10-01. General information, not legal or engineering advice; the official text governs. Commercial Pools Florida is a division of Cool Pool of Florida, LLC, Florida Certified Pool/Spa Contractor CPC1461644.