Registry
Site & Exterior
Pond / decorative water feature
Koi pond, water garden, decorative fountain feature with standing water.
inferredHB 803: excludedreviewed never
Who can pull the permit
- NONENo contractor license
- CGCCertified General Contractor
- CBCCertified Building Contractor
- CRCCertified Residential Contractor
- OWNER-BUILDEROwner-occupied 1–2 family (FS 489.103(7))
Decision — first matching row wins
| # | When | Permit | Type | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | depth_in > 24 | yes | Building — Pool/Water Feature (FS 515 barrier) | A water feature holding more than 24 inches of water meets FS §515.25's 'swimming pool' definition regardless of its decorative intent — barrier and, in most authorities, a building permit apply exactly as they would to a pool. |
| 2 | electrical is yes | yes | Electrical Permit | A hardwired pump/lighting circuit is permitted electrical work independent of the pond's own depth/permit status. |
| 3 | otherwise | no | — | A shallow (24 in. or less) decorative pond with a plug-in pump is landscape work — no permit. Watch county code for standing-water/mosquito-control ordinances, which are a nuisance issue, not a permit. |
Inputs the rule needs
- depth_inWater depth (in)required
- electricalPump/lighting on a hardwired circuit?
Documents (base)
- Site plan / survey showing property lines, setbacks, easements, septic and the proposed work
- Barrier compliance sheet if over 24 in. (FS 515)
- Contractor registration current with the county (license, GL insurance, workers' comp or exemption on file)