What a new pool costs in Bay County: 33 permits put the median at $70,000

A new in-ground home pool in unincorporated Bay County carried a median declared value of $70,000 on the 33 residential pool permits the county issued in October 2025 and January 2026, according to Bay County’s monthly permit reports. Half of those pools fell between $55,750 and $82,471. The cheapest was $35,000 and the most expensive $152,920.

Those numbers come from public records, not from sales quotes. Each figure is the contract value the pool company gave the county when it applied for the permit, as listed in Bay County’s “Permits Issued by Date and Type” reports for October 2025 and January 2026, checked Nov. 2, 2026. We left out permits under $1,000 and do not publish owner names or addresses.

How much do most new pools in Bay County cost?

Most of the 33 pools landed in the middle of the range. Fourteen were declared between $60,000 and $79,999, the largest group by far. Eight came in between $40,000 and $59,999, six between $80,000 and $99,999, three at $100,000 or more and two under $40,000.

Four of the 33 pools were declared at exactly $70,000, and three more at $48,000. If a quote lands near $70,000, it sits in the middle of what was declared on these permits.

Where in Bay County were these pools built?

The reports list the mailing city on each permit. Twenty-six of the 33 pools had a Panama City Beach address, four Panama City, two Southport and one Lynn Haven. All were permitted by the county, which covers unincorporated land; many lots outside city limits still carry a Panama City Beach or Panama City mailing address. Pools inside a city, such as Panama City Beach, Panama City, Lynn Haven or Callaway, are permitted by that city and do not appear in the county’s list.

What does the permit value leave out?

The declared value is the pool contract. It usually does not include a screen enclosure, extra decking or landscaping, and those can need their own permits. When you compare a quote with these numbers, ask the builder which of those items is inside the price and who pulls the separate permits.

Lot conditions also move the price. Bay County’s Residential Swimming Pool Permit Packet, with an application revised Sept. 30, 2026, asks for an engineered flood design when the lot is in flood zone V or coastal A. You can look up a lot’s zone on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center before you ask for quotes.

What paperwork does Bay County ask for?

The county packet and its Form B53 checklist list what has to be filed before construction:

• planning approval for the pool’s location on the lot;
• a notarized building permit application (Form B03);
• a scaled site plan with property lines, setbacks, existing buildings and flood hazard areas;
• an owner-builder affidavit (Form B06) if you are not a licensed contractor;
• the Notice to Swimming Pool Owners (Form B30), signed by the owner;
• a recorded Notice of Commencement (Form B05);
• engineered pool plans covering depth, steps, entrapment protection, plumbing, pump and heater location, filter size, barriers, alarms, waste-water disposal and electrical work.

Under Form B30, the pool cannot hold water until inspections are approved and the barrier is in place.

What does Florida law require before the pool passes final inspection?

Under Florida Statutes s. 515.27, a new home pool needs at least one of five safety features to pass final inspection: a barrier at least 4 feet high, an approved safety cover, exit alarms on doors and windows that open to the pool, self-closing and self-latching doors, or an in-water alarm certified to ASTM F2208. Ask which one is in your plans and whether it is in the quoted price.

How do I check the builder behind the quote?

Look up the license at the Florida DBPR license search. Pool builders hold a Certified Pool/Spa Contractor (CPC) or Registered Pool/Spa Contractor (RP) license, and the record shows open complaints and discipline. Florida law also limits deposits: under s. 489.126, a contractor who takes more than 10% up front must apply for the permit within 30 days and start work within 90 days after the permit is issued, unless you agreed in writing to more time.

Who can I call?

For permits in unincorporated Bay County, contact Bay County Builders Services through the county’s Permits page. Inside a city, call that city’s building department. For a contractor’s license or a complaint, use the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Our Emerald Coast pools guide gathers the permit offices, state rules and storm-care steps for all four counties.

More Home guides and local services ›

Live in the Emerald Coast? Write for us as a Community Contributor and share what you see in your town.