Building a pool in Palm Beach County: cost, permits and safety rules

What a pool costs here

From 450 new pool permits

$84,340

was the typical value builders declared on a new pool in Jupiter (111 permits) and Palm Beach Gardens (339) over the last 12 months. Declared values usually run below the contract price. See who built them.

A few local builders publish prices, and they line up with the permits:

Builder	What they publish
Epic Watershapes	Fixed-price packages at $47,250, $51,050 and $61,950. Their packages page
CoastLife Pools	From $60,000 for pool and deck, $80,000 with a spa and upgrades, $200,000 and up for resort builds. Their Jupiter page
Abaco Pools (a Bates Media client)	A custom pool typically starts around $80,000 to $120,000. Their homepage
Almar Jackson Pools	A custom pool with deck and automation typically begins around $85,000. Pool and spa from $120,000. Their new pool page

So if you've seen a $30,000 pool online, it isn't from here.

What the contract may leave out

The safety barrier or fence. Your pool can't pass final inspection without a state-approved safety feature.
Electrical. A new sub-panel or service upgrade, and the electrician's bonding work.
The deck. Pavers or travertine, and how many square feet.
Drainage and fill. Where the dirt goes and where the water goes.
A screen enclosure. It's a separate structure with its own permit.
A heater or chiller, salt system and automation.

Ask for a line-item contract. Anything not written down isn't included.

The safety law your pool must pass

To pass final inspection, every new home pool in Florida needs at least one of five safety features. Chapter 515, Florida Statutes.

A barrier at least 4 feet high with a self-closing, self-latching gate that opens away from the pool
An approved safety pool cover
Exit alarms on every door and window that opens to the pool
Self-closing, self-latching devices on every door to the pool, with the release at least 54 inches up
An in-pool alarm certified to the ASTM F2208 standard

Cities can be stricter, and some are. Boca Raton asks for one of the five plus a barrier. Palm Beach Gardens won't let you fill the pool until the final barrier inspection passes.

Permits by city

Where you live	Who can pull the permit	What is different here
Jupiter Look up permits	Licensed pool contractor, or you as owner-builder	30% of permit fees due at application. Survey showing setbacks, flood zone and power lines. Bonding checked before water goes in. Source
Palm Beach Gardens Look up permits	Licensed pool contractor, or you as owner-builder	Final electrical and final barrier inspections must pass before you fill. A safety affidavit goes in with the application. Source
West Palm Beach Look up permits	Licensed pool contractor, or you as owner-builder	Fences and pool barriers always need a permit. For setbacks, the city says to call the planner on call. Source
Boca Raton Look up permits	City-registered licensed contractor, or you as owner-builder	One state safety option plus a barrier, on its own permit. A form board survey before the slab is poured. Source
Unincorporated county Look up permits	Licensed pool contractor, or you as owner-builder	Up to 10 inspections, including a safety inspection before filling. Barrier and electrical are separate permits. Source
Tequesta Look up permits	Licensed pool contractor, or you as owner-builder	Say whether the pool is open or screened. Impervious area worksheet and the electrician's bonding certification. Source

The “Look up permits” links open each building department's own search, where you can see past permits on your house. North Palm Beach, Juno Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth Beach, Boynton Beach and Delray Beach have their own building departments too. Rules checked November 5, 2026.

How long it takes

Local builders publish anywhere from six weeks to about 14 weeks for a typical build, and longer for complex ones. Permits, HOA review and weather are what usually stretch it. If you're in a community with an architectural review board, plan for their approval before the permit.

Questions to ask every pool builder

What is your state license number, and who is the qualifier? Pool builders hold a residential or commercial pool and spa license. Look it up on DBPR.
Is the price fixed, and what would make it change?
Which safety feature is included, and does the price cover the barrier permit?
What's the payment schedule, and what has to be finished before each payment?
Who does the work: your crews or subcontractors?
What's the warranty on the structure, the equipment and the finish?
Can I talk to two customers whose pools you built here in the last year?

Red flags

A big deposit before the permit is issued. Florida has seen pool builders collapse with customers' deposits.
A price far under the local range with no line items.
No Notice of Commencement, and no lien releases. On a job this size, record the notice and collect lien releases from subcontractors and suppliers before each payment, so you don't end up paying twice. Section 713.06.
A builder who isn't pulling permits here. Look up their name in your town's permit search.

Verified pool builders

Every builder on our lists holds an active state pool license we looked up, has a real record with customers, and has an office in Palm Beach or Martin County. Nobody pays to be listed.

Jupiter and Tequesta

Dolphin Pools & Spas 5.0 from 105 reviews
Abaco Pools (a Bates Media client) 4.9 from 116 reviews
Artistic Pools 4.9 from 77 reviews
Spado Construction 5.0 from 29 reviews
Epic Watershapes 4.9 from 56 reviews

See all 11 on the list

Palm Beach Gardens

Dolphin Pools & Spas 5.0 from 105 reviews
Abaco Pools (a Bates Media client) 4.9 from 116 reviews
Artistic Pools 4.9 from 77 reviews
Spado Construction 5.0 from 29 reviews
Epic Watershapes 4.9 from 56 reviews

See all 10 on the list

Your questions, answered

How much does a pool cost in Palm Beach County?

The typical declared value on 450 new pool permits in Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens over the last year was $84,340. Local builders who publish prices start in the high $40,000s for a simple package, $80,000 to $120,000 for a custom pool with a spa, and $200,000 and up for resort builds.

What kind of pool can I get for $30,000?

From a licensed builder here, not a new in-ground pool. The lowest published local package was $47,250. National cheap pool prices don't match South Florida.

Does Florida require a fence around a pool?

A new home pool needs at least one of five safety features to pass final inspection: a barrier, an approved safety cover, exit alarms, self-closing door latches, or a certified in-pool alarm. Some cities require a barrier on top of that.

Do I need a permit for a pool?

Yes, from your city or the county. The builder normally pulls it. The barrier, electrical and screen enclosure often need their own permits.

How long does it take to build a pool here?

Local builders publish about six to fourteen weeks for a typical build. Permits, HOA review and weather stretch it.

How do I pick a pool builder I can trust?

Check the state pool license, look the builder up in your town's permit search to see how many pools they actually build here, ask for a line-item contract and a payment schedule tied to finished work, and make sure a Notice of Commencement is recorded.

Sources

Rules and prices checked November 5, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with your city and your insurer before you sign anything.