Quick summary: In Hollywood, Florida, building a residential swimming pool requires a building permit issued by the city’s Building Division before any excavation can begin. The homeowner or a licensed contractor must submit the permit application, along with a recent property survey and engineer-sealed structural plans, through the city’s Accela Citizen Access electronic permitting portal. Plans must comply with zoning regulations, utility/drainage easements, the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) where applicable, and Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (Statute 515).
Accro GC is an authorized construction company guiding Hollywood homeowners through this entire process, start to finish.
What is the Hollywood, FL pool permit?
It’s the official authorization issued by the City of Hollywood to build a residential swimming pool. No excavation, equipment installation, or construction can legally begin without this approved permit. Hollywood’s Building Division operates out of 2600 Hollywood Boulevard and processes all applications digitally through its online portal.
Who can apply for the permit?
- The homeowner (under the owner-builder path, with specific restrictions).
- A licensed contractor who specializes in pool construction and is registered with both the city and the State of Florida.
In either case, the application must include all required technical documentation before a plans examiner will review it.
Required documents
- A complete permit application, submitted through the city’s electronic portal.
- A recent property survey, showing property lines, easements, and the exact proposed pool location.
- Engineer-sealed structural plans, detailing excavation, drainage, and the pump/equipment system.
- A recorded Notice of Commencement (NOC) if the project value exceeds $5,000.
- A safety barrier plan (fence, door alarm, or certified pool cover) compliant with the Florida Building Code.
Zoning and environmental rules you must meet
Plans must demonstrate compliance with:
- Residential setback requirements specific to the property’s zoning district.
- Utility or drainage easements, which the structure cannot encroach on.
- Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL), applicable to properties near the waterfront or Intracoastal.
- Dewatering management, including stabilized berms and soil evaluation to prevent runoff onto neighboring properties.
Mandatory safety requirements
Every residential pool in Hollywood must include a safety barrier compliant with Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (Statute 515):
- Minimum height of 4 feet on the outside of the fence.
- A self-closing, self-latching gate.
- Latch positioned on the pool side, at 54 inches or higher.
- Accepted alternatives: door/window alarms on openings that access the pool, or a certified safety cover.
These elements must be reflected in the plans from the initial application, since the city performs a dedicated safety-compliance review before closing out the permit.
Step-by-step process
- Document preparation: survey, engineered plans, and safety barrier plan.
- Digital submission of the application through the city’s Accela portal.
- Plan review by zoning, structural, and safety examiners.
- Corrections (if any): responding to examiner comments with revised plans.
- Permit issuance and recording of the Notice of Commencement.
- Inspections during construction: excavation, plumbing, electrical, and safety barrier.
- Final inspection and permit closeout, with the option to request a Certificate of Completion (C/C).
Why work with Accro GC?
As an authorized construction company in Hollywood, FL, Accro GC knows the Building Division’s specific requirements firsthand — from the exact formats plans examiners expect to the details that most often cause rejections or delays. We guide homeowners through every stage — document prep, permit management, and inspection coordination — so the project moves forward without setbacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to install a pool in Hollywood, FL? Yes. The city requires a building permit before any excavation or installation work.
Can I apply for the permit myself as a homeowner? Yes, under the owner-builder path, though most homeowners work with a licensed contractor to streamline plan review.
What if my property is near the coast? You must demonstrate compliance with the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) within your structural plans.
Is a safety fence around the pool required? Yes. Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act requires a compliant barrier (minimum 4-foot fence with a self-closing gate, alarms, or a certified cover).