Pool Permits & Barrier Rules: Panama City, PCB, Bay County

Permit offices

Your lot	Office	Contact
Unincorporated: Southport, Upper and Lower Grand Lagoon, Laguna Beach, Youngstown	Bay County Building Safety	840 W 11th St, Panama City; 850-248-8350
City of Panama City	Building Services	501 Harrison Ave; 850-872-3025; online through Cloudpermit
Panama City Beach	Building Division	17005 Panama City Beach Pkwy; 850-233-5100 ext. 2601 (city directory)
Lynn Haven	Building Department	817 Ohio Ave; 850-265-2121 ext. 2135
Callaway	Building permits	Handled through permits@codesouth.com, (850) 818-0213, per the city directory
Parker, Springfield, Mexico Beach	Each city's own office	Start with city hall

Your mailing address can say "Panama City" or "Panama City Beach" even when the lot is in the county, so check the parcel before you apply.

What the county asks for

Bay County's residential pool packet lists: site planning approval, a notarized permit application, a scaled site plan showing setbacks and flood hazard areas, an engineered flood design in a V or coastal A zone, the signed barrier notice, a recorded notice of commencement, and pool plans that follow Chapter 45 of the Residential Building Code, with entrapment protection, equipment and electrical shown (Form B53). Owners acting as their own contractor sign an owner-builder affidavit.

The barrier, in plain terms

At least 48 in tall, with openings smaller than 4 in, and hard to climb from outside
Far enough from the water that someone who gets over it doesn't fall straight in
Gates swing out, away from the pool, and close and latch on their own; the latch is inside or at least 54 in high
A screen enclosure or the house can be part of it; doors and windows in a house wall then need 85 dB alarms or self-latching hardware at 54 in
Other options: a certified pool alarm or a safety cover

That list summarizes Bay County Form B30, which follows Florida Statute 515 and FBC R4501.17. State law makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to skip the required safety feature on a new pool (FS 515.27).

Check easements first

In 2021, Panama City Beach approved a pool permit, then pulled it after digging began because the pool sat on a stormwater easement; the owner had already spent nearly $14,000 (WJHG). Have your survey and plat checked for drainage and utility easements before design starts.

Licenses and 811

Florida licenses pool contractors at the state level; look for a CPC number and confirm it on DBPR's license search. Before anyone digs, Sunshine 811 needs at least two full business days' notice, and it's free (Sunshine 811). Private lines, such as irrigation or a power run to a shed, are yours to locate.

Common questions

Who issues pool permits around Panama City?

It depends on your address. Panama City, Panama City Beach, Lynn Haven and Callaway each permit inside their limits; Southport, the Grand Lagoon areas and other unincorporated land go to Bay County Building Safety, 840 W 11th St, 850-248-8350 (county packet). The builder normally files, so make it a line in the contract.

What are the pool fence rules in Florida?

Bay County's notice, which follows Florida Statute 515 and the building code, calls for a barrier at least 48 in tall with openings under 4 in, gates that swing away from the pool and close and latch on their own, and a latch inside or at least 54 in up (Form B30). The inspector has to approve it before the pool is filled.

How do I check a Florida pool contractor's license?

Florida licenses pool builders statewide; a certified pool/spa contractor holds a number starting CPC. Search the name or number on DBPR's license lookup and make sure it matches the contract. About 32 active pool licenses list a Bay County address (StateCreds).

Sources & further reading

Editorial note: General planning information, not engineering or legal advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rules with your local officials and a qualified pro.