There are too many design choices to count when you’re building a new pool. That’s part of the fun; the design process is where homeowners get to showcase their creativity. It’s also usually when they have the most fun, choosing finishes and conceptualizing water features.
Still, there’s a critical factor that should underscore every design choice you make for your pool: local building codes. While some of these might seem like pointless red tape, many are there to improve your pool’s safety and guarantee better durability. It’s important to understand how these pool regulations work so you can build a pool that’s as compliant as it is beautiful.
An Overview of Jacksonville’s Pool Codes and Regulations
Florida has many statewide building codes that govern the construction industry. Since building pools is commonplace in Florida, many of these codes target swimming pools specifically. They are in place to lower risks associated with pools (usually regarding children) and ensure everything from the foundation to the electrical is up to modern safety standards.
While the Florida Building Code (FBC) provides a baseline for contractors, cities and municipalities can extend or elaborate on these rules.
In Jacksonville, this means following the City of Jacksonville’s Development Services Division guidelines in addition to the FBC. These often include specific requirements for pool barriers and fencing, setbacks from property lines, drainage considerations, and permitting through the city’s Building Inspection Division. Jacksonville may also have additional requirements for pools located in flood zones or environmentally sensitive areas near wetlands or the St. Johns River.
Navigating this web of local laws is one of the top benefits of working with local Jacksonville pool experts. Any pool builder might be capable of putting a pool in your backyard, but that doesn’t mean they’ll understand the ins and outs of Jacksonville’s municipal ordinances, zoning requirements, and environmental protections and how they apply to your property.
Florida Pool Building Regulations That Influence Your Design Choices
Most regulations have some impact on your pool’s final design, but some are more notable than others. Here are some of the most important things that Florida homeowners should be aware of.
Barrier Requirements
Barrier rules are some of the most well-known regulations, but they don’t necessarily influence the pool design directly. The FBC requires every pool to have some kind of barrier around the perimeter to prevent unauthorized or unsupervised access. These fences should also have self-closing and self-latching gates.
These regulations influence both the landscape design and the location of your pool in the yard. The good news is that since safety is standardized, it’s easy for most designers to integrate these features into your design plan and still make the pool look great.
Some areas might require additional safety measures beyond physical barriers. These could include door or window alarms for any access points that go from the house directly into the pool area. Many people opt for additional safety features (like automated pool covers) just because it’s a good idea — they add a layer of protection even if they aren’t mandatory.
Placement
This is one of the laws you wouldn’t normally expect to have an impact on your pool design. But depending on what you’re aiming for, it could cause a significant upheaval in your plans. Zoning laws and pool regulations dictate how far a pool needs to be from things like property lines and septic systems.
Professional builders will always conduct a site survey to ensure the design doesn’t encroach on these lines. Still, it’s good to understand these findings to keep your expectations in line with what’s actually possible. The site survey is also one of the easiest ways to avoid redesigns that could delay the entire project.
Electrical and Plumbing Codes
While these codes aren’t specific to pools, they’re still relevant because of how they relate to the pool design. All equipment needs to be installed to code.
This includes pool-specific requirements, like using ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to prevent electrical shock. These rarely have much impact on the aesthetic of your pool’s interior. Yet they could still influence other design choices, like where you can place your pool on the property.
Permitting and Inspection
Acquiring permits and completing inspections can significantly alter the final design. That’s because the design needs to prove its compliance through both avenues.
Permits ensure that the theoretical design follows regulations through documentation and blueprints. Inspections use a more hands-on approach to ensure that the practical design adheres to regulations; a professional is sent to the work site to confirm everything is as it should be.
This process always starts with a plan review. Your design might take a few hits here, but that’s okay. It’s better to have small delays happen earlier in the process, and very little (if any) physical work is done at this point. The building department will review the plan and send it back if there are any issues with the design regarding zoning and safety codes.
The first inspection usually happens after the permits are secured and excavation has started. The inspector will confirm that the hole for your new pool is dug correctly and the site is ready and safe to begin construction. Plumbing inspections come afterward to ensure the structure is sound before contractors pour concrete. Electrical inspections are next, and they confirm that all wiring is up to code.
The final inspection is the most important but arguably the least likely to impact your design, since you’ve made most of your decisions already. However, if you or your contractor have ignored any of the state or local requirements specific to Jacksonville, this is where you can expect to have an inspector shut things down and ask for major shakeups.
Changes are extremely expensive at this stage, so it’s never good to push the envelope regarding pool building regulations. Otherwise, you’ll deal with anything from permitting delays (if you can’t let go of a design that won’t work because of zoning issues) to legal liability (if there’s ever an accident involving a non-compliant pool).
Competent designers and pool contractors will never let it get to this point; you should always work with industry professionals to ensure that these rules are followed, even if you aren’t necessarily aware of them as a homeowner.
Balance Pool Safety and Design By Hiring Jacksonville Professionals
The Blue Haven Pools on the Gulf design team can help you get what you want while keeping your pool safe and compliant with local regulations. Reach out to us today to learn more about our design approach and schedule a consultation to start building your dream pool!