Freedom Code Compliance
Single Family

Single Family Pool Construction

Build a new residential pool or spa, including shell steel and bonding, piping, electrical work, and the final barrier and safety check.

Last updated: Sep 29, 2026

Section 1

Required Documents

Submit these with your initial project package.

Always required

  • Construction Plans
    Pool construction plans showing layout, dimensions, structural details, plumbing, and electrical. Plans prepared by a Florida-registered architect or engineer carry that professional's seal. Plans prepared by a contractor or owner are accepted without a seal unless Florida law or the building department requires professional plans.

Conditional

  • TDH Calculations
    Total dynamic head (TDH) calculation or pump sizing for the pool circulation system.
    WhenA TDH value, hydraulic table, or pump curve on the pool engineering plans counts. A separate calculation sheet is not needed to start review.
  • Equipment Specifications
    Manufacturer specifications for pump, filter, heater, and other pool equipment (recommended, not required)
    WhenGuidance only: Not required. FCC recommends manufacturer cut sheets (pump, filter, heater, lights, drain covers) because some building departments ask for them. An engineer's equipment table on the plans is enough, and missing cut sheets are never a reason to reject the submission.
  • Site Plan / Survey
    Site plan or survey showing pool location, setbacks, and safety barrier locations
    WhenUsually a sheet in the pool plans, or a survey with the pool drawn on it. Not needed to start review.
  • Safety Barrier Affidavit
    Optional contractor statement of how the pool will be protected: a barrier or safety cover, plus door alarms, self-closing doors, or a pool alarm where the house is part of the barrier.
    WhenGuidance only: Not required, and never a reason to reject a submission, even when the plans do not show the pool barrier or safety features. If your plans do not show how the pool will be protected, you may attach FCC's optional form from freedomcodecompliance.com/forms.

Courtesy screen

Courtesy screen on every plan review

Every plan FCC reviews receives a limited courtesy screen for the items below when they are reasonably visible in the submitted documents. If we see an apparent issue that could cause the plans to fail review by another agency, we will identify it as a Courtesy Comment. Courtesy Comments alone do not cause FCC to fail or return the plan set unless the same condition also creates a building-code compliance issue within FCC's review scope. The responsible agency makes the final determination—for example, Planning and Zoning for setbacks, lot coverage, use, and other lot-compliance matters. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  1. #01Plan and document coordination

    Obvious clerical, title-block, sheet-index, permit-description, or cross-sheet inconsistencies visible in the submitted documents. A Courtesy Comment on these items does not cause FCC to fail or return the plan set unless the same condition also creates a building-code compliance issue within FCC's review scope.

    FBC-B 107.2.1
  2. #02Zoning and site coordination

    Apparent setback, lot-coverage, use, or site-dimension conflicts visible in the submitted plans that could cause the plans to fail Planning and Zoning review. Planning and Zoning makes the zoning and lot-compliance determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  3. #03Setbacks from property lines and structures

    Pool setbacks from property lines, septic fields and easements are set by local zoning, which the jurisdiction reviews. Note visible conflicts as a courtesy observation.

    Local zoning ordinance
  4. #04Floodplain coordination

    Apparent inconsistencies or missing coordination in flood-zone, design-flood-elevation, finished-floor, or flood-opening information shown on the plans that could cause the plans to fail floodplain review. The floodplain administrator makes the determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  5. #05Fire-authority coordination

    Apparent separately reviewed fire alarm, sprinkler, hood-suppression, smoke-control, or similar coordination issues visible on the plans that could cause the plans to fail fire review. The fire marshal makes the determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

Section 2

Approval criteria for this project type

These are the building-code criteria FCC uses to determine the plan-review result. An unresolved item may be issued as a Required Correction and cause the plan set to be returned for correction.

BuildingRequired

  1. #01Pool barrier complianceLife Safety

    Verify a code-compliant pool barrier is shown on plans - height, clearances, gate self-closing/self-latching hardware, and door alarms on dwelling openings facing pool.

    FBC-R R4501.17Florida Statutes 515.27
  2. #02Pool shell structural designLife Safety

    Verify pool shell engineering is provided with soil bearing, reinforcement, and shell thickness.

    FBC-R R4501.6.1ACI 318
  3. #03Deck and coping designCode

    Verify pool deck slopes, slip resistance, and coping connection are noted.

    FBC-R R4501.6.1FBC-R R326
  4. #04Engineer seal on structural, when engineeredDocumentation

    When a Florida engineer prepared the pool structural drawings, confirm the document carries a current Florida engineer seal.

    Florida Statutes Chapter 471

MechanicalConditional review scope

Conditional review scopePlan review is not required for this scope under FBC 107.3.5. FCC reviews these items only when the building department specifically requires it, or the client opts in.
  1. #01Pool heater clearances (if gas)Life Safety

    If a gas pool heater is specified, verify combustion air and venting clearances are shown.

    FBC-FG 617.1FBC-FG 304.1

ElectricalRequired

  1. #01Equipotential bonding gridLife Safety

    Verify a complete equipotential bonding grid is shown - pool shell reinforcement, metallic components within 5 feet, pool equipment, and perimeter bonding around the pool.

    NEC 680.26
  2. #02GFCI protection for pool circuitsLife Safety

    Verify GFCI protection is shown for pool equipment circuits, receptacles, and underwater luminaires.

    NEC 680.5NEC 680.22NEC 680.23
  3. #03Underwater luminairesLife Safety

    If underwater pool lights are included, verify they comply with NEC 680.23 (low-voltage preferred; line voltage requires specific installation).

    NEC 680.23
  4. #04Equipment disconnect locationCode

    Verify a disconnecting means is shown within sight of pool equipment, at least 5 feet horizontally from the inside wall of the pool.

    NEC 680.13
  5. #05Underground wiring methodsCode

    Verify burial depth and wiring method for underground pool circuits.

    NEC 300.5NEC 680.11

PlumbingRequired

  1. #01Suction entrapment prevention (VGBA)Life Safety

    Verify suction outlets comply with Virginia Graeme Baker Act requirements - dual main drains or unblockable single drain, ANSI/APSP-16 compliant covers.

    FBC-R R4501.6.615 USC 8003 (VGBA)
  2. #02Filtration and circulationCode

    Verify filtration equipment is sized for pool volume and turnover rate is specified.

    FBC-R R4501.20
  3. #03Backflow prevention on auto-fillCode

    If an auto-fill or auto-leveler is included, verify a backflow prevention device is specified on the water supply.

    FBC-P 608FBC-R R4501.9

Items marked Conditional review scope are non-blocking. Per FBC 107.3.5, plan review isn't required for these scopes — FCC reviews them when the building department requests it or the client wants the extra set of eyes.

Section 3

Inspection Walkthrough

Inspections are listed in their typical phase order. Your own inspection list comes from your approved plans. Inspections marked “If in scope” apply only when your plans include that work. Call (772) 222-6679 with questions.

Plumbing

Phase #1

Plumbing Underground

  1. Pipe installation and supportCritical

    Verify plumbing lines are properly installed and supported per plans

    FBC-B 110.3
  2. Burial depthCritical

    Measure pipe cover against approved plans and utility requirements before backfill.

    FBC-B 110.3
  3. Pressure testCritical

    Verify plumbing system holds required pressure test

    FBC-P 312.2
  4. Pipe sizing per plans

    Verify pipe sizes match approved plans

    FBC-P 604.1

Electrical

Phase #2

Electrical Underground

  1. Conduit and wiring installationCritical

    Verify electrical conduit and wiring are properly installed per plans

    NEC 680.11
  2. Burial depth verificationCritical

    Verify conduit burial depth meets minimum code requirements

    NEC 680.11
  3. Pool-area underground wiring methodCritical

    Check wiring method and routing near or under the pool against approved plans and NEC 680.11; do not impose a blanket five-foot setback.

    NEC 680.11
  4. Bonding connections at undergroundCritical

    Show pool equipotential-bonding parts that will be buried; verify other underground equipment grounding separately.

    NEC 680.26NEC 680.6
  5. Equipment grounding at underground boxesCritical

    Where conductors splice or terminate in an underground box, show equipment-grounding conductor continuity and connections before backfill.

    NEC 250.148

Building

Phase #3

Footing / Grade Beam

If in scope
  1. Separate structural footing onlyCritical

    Use this inspection only if the approved pool plans include a separate structural footing or grade beam.

  2. Footing forms and steelCritical

    If applicable, show the footing location, forms, dimensions, and reinforcing before the pour.

  3. Plan matchCritical

    Confirm the separate footing matches the approved structural detail.

Phase #4

Pool Steel / Bonding

  1. Excavation, shell steel, and main drainCritical

    Show excavation, steel, bonding, and main drain before concrete or gunite.

    FBC-B 110.3
  2. Equipotential bondingCritical

    Trace shell and perimeter bonding to metallic parts before burial.

    NEC 680.26

Plumbing

Phase #5

Plumbing Rough-In

  1. Equipment pad plumbing connectionsCritical

    Verify plumbing connections at pump, filter, and heater locations

    FBC-B 110.3
  2. Suction outlet complianceCritical

    Verify suction outlets meet entrapment avoidance requirements

    ISPSC 307.1

Electrical

Phase #6

Electrical Rough-In

  1. Equipment wiringCritical

    Verify electrical wiring to pump, filter, heater per plans

    NEC 680.21
  2. GFCI protectionCritical

    Show required GFCI protection for pool motor and pool-area receptacles as applicable.

    NEC 680.21NEC 680.22
  3. Receptacle locations and distancesCritical

    Verify receptacle placement meets minimum distance requirements from pool

    NEC 680.22
  4. Equipment bondingCritical

    Show equipotential bonds for pool equipment and other parts identified by the approved bonding plan.

    NEC 680.26

Building

Phase #7

Pool Deck

If in scope
  1. Deck reinforcement layoutCritical

    Verify deck rebar spacing, overlap, and placement per plans

  2. Approved perimeter bonding methodCritical

    Verify the approved conductive perimeter/deck bonding method and connections before the pour; a separate wire is not universal.

    NEC 680.26
  3. Plumbing and electrical conduit in place

    Verify plumbing lines and electrical conduit are installed prior to pour

  4. Deck drainageCritical

    Measure deck slope and show drainage away from the pool or toward approved deck drains.

    ISPSC 306.5ISPSC 306.5.1

Electrical

Phase #8

Electrical Final

  1. Pool light installationCritical

    Verify pool lights are properly installed per plans and NEC

    NEC 680.23
  2. Equipotential bonding completeCritical

    Compare required metallic parts and connections with the approved pool bonding plan; do not impose a blanket five-foot rule.

    NEC 680.26
  3. GFCI protection operationalCritical

    Demonstrate required GFCI devices for pool motor and pool-area receptacles operate.

    NEC 680.21NEC 680.22
  4. Grounding connectionsCritical

    Verify pool electrical equipment grounding separately from equipotential bonding.

    NEC 680.6
  5. Disconnect switchCritical

    Show the approved disconnecting means and accessible location against the equipment plans.

    FBC-B 110.3

Plumbing

Phase #9

Plumbing Final

  1. Pump and filter operationCritical

    Demonstrate pump and filter operation against the approved equipment schedule and manufacturer instructions.

  2. Drain covers and suction safetyCritical

    Show listed suction outlet fitting assemblies and approved entrapment-avoidance design.

    ISPSC 311.1ISPSC 312.4.4
  3. Skimmer installationCritical

    Compare installed skimmers with approved pool design and manufacturer instructions.

    ISPSC 316.1
  4. Heater installationCritical

    If a heater is in scope, compare the installed heater and plumbing with the approved equipment plan and manufacturer instructions.

  5. Backflow preventionCritical

    Show required backflow protection on the affected potable-water outlet.

    FBC-P 608.16

Building

Phase #10

Pool Final (incl. barrier)

Typical Final
  1. Completed poolCritical

    Show the finished pool and equipment against approved plans.

    FBC-B 110.3
  2. Barrier and gatesCritical

    Demonstrate barrier continuity and gates self-closing and self-latching.

    FBC-B 454.2.17ISPSC 305.3
  3. Safety devicesCritical

    Demonstrate approved alarms or other required safety devices.

    FBC-B 454.2.17
  4. Suction outletsCritical

    Show installed covers and suction system identification.

    ISPSC 311.1ISPSC 312.4.4
  5. Final plan matchCritical

    Compare finished pool, deck, barrier, and access with the approved plan.

    FBC-B 110.3