Do I need a permit for screen enclosure or pool cage in Sunrise?
Yes. In Florida, screen enclosure or pool cage generally requires a permit, and Sunrise is no exception.
Building a new aluminum screen enclosure or pool cage requires a building permit statewide, and the frame must be designed to Florida Building Code wind-load provisions with signed and sealed engineering. Replacing only the screen mesh is usually not permitted work, but new construction or structural frame repair is. A pool cage that serves as the pool safety barrier has added requirements.
Florida and local notes for Sunrise
Site-specific engineered wind-load drawings are effectively required for a new enclosure. Setbacks, easements, and HOA rules still apply. Re-screening mesh only is generally exempt; structural work is not. Screen enclosures are engineered for HVHZ wind loads, so expect signed and sealed drawings and a structural review rather than an over-the-counter permit. Products need approval for HVHZ use, and a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance is commonly accepted here as evidence of it. Your city issues the permit, not the county. Broward's 31 municipal building departments each run their own permitting and inspections, while the county Board of Rules and Appeals sets code interpretation and the countywide amendments they all work from. The Broward County Amendments to the Florida Building Code, published by the Board of Rules and Appeals under the county charter, apply on top of the state code everywhere in the county. Individual cities can add their own amendments as well, so confirm both. Under Sunrise Code 16-118(b)(3), a screen-roof pool or patio enclosure in a single-family district may not exceed 14 feet in height, may not encroach on a utility or drainage easement, and must be set back at least 5 feet from rear and side lot lines. An enclosure with an opaque (solid) roof must meet the full building setbacks for the district, and on a corner lot no screen enclosure may encroach on the side street setback. A glass or vinyl patio enclosure falls under Sunrise's Homeowner Terrace Enclosure Checklist and Affidavit (Category I, II, III), which requires signed and sealed plans identifying the enclosure category.
Documents you may need
- Permit applicationLikely required
- Signed and sealed engineered drawings with wind-load calculationsLikely required
- Site plan showing setbacksLikely required
- Aluminum member and anchoring specificationsSometimes required
- Product approval or Notice of Acceptance documentation for HVHZ rated materialsSometimes required
- Broward County Uniform Building Permit ApplicationsLikely required
- Plans signed and sealed by a Florida architect or engineer showing setbacks, anchoring, members, and connectionsLikely required
- Survey showing property lines, structures, and utility and drainage easementsLikely required
Possible inspections
- Footing or slab inspection for a new slab
- Framing or structural inspection
- Final inspection
- Footing and anchoring inspection
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for screen enclosure or pool cage in Sunrise?
- Yes. In Florida, screen enclosure or pool cage generally requires a permit, and Sunrise is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
- Who issues the permit in Sunrise?
- The local building department for Sunrise handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.