Do I need a permit for screen enclosure or pool cage in Temple Terrace?
Yes. In Florida, screen enclosure or pool cage generally requires a permit, and Temple Terrace 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 Temple Terrace
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. Hillsborough County's own permitting office is the Hillsborough County Development Services Department, reachable on (813) 272-5600 at https://hcfl.gov/businesses/permits-and-records. Its online permit portal is https://aca-prod.accela.com/HCFL/Default.aspx. It issues permits for the unincorporated county. If your city does not run its own building department, and many smaller Florida municipalities do not, this is the office that will handle the job. Screen enclosures are engineered for wind load in Florida, so expect signed and sealed drawings and a structural review. Under LDC 12-508, a screen enclosure without a weatherproof roof must be in the rear yard and at least 5 feet from every property line, with 1 more foot of setback for each foot of height over 11 feet, up to a 24 foot maximum height. The city's aluminum enclosure application asks for the side and rear setbacks and the enclosure height at the side and rear, and a pool permit does not cover a screen enclosure. LDC 12-899 caps total ground coverage of the house, accessory structures, pools, decks, driveways, walkways, and pads at 47.5 percent of the lot.
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
- Temple Terrace Aluminum Enclosure Permit Application with side and rear setbacks and enclosure heightsLikely required
- Signed and sealed construction plans (2 residential copies) and surveyLikely required
- Elevation drawings, Lot Summary Sheet, and Florida product approval numbersLikely required
Possible inspections
- Footing or slab inspection for a new slab
- Framing or structural inspection
- Final inspection
- Footing or slab inspection
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for screen enclosure or pool cage in Temple Terrace?
- Yes. In Florida, screen enclosure or pool cage generally requires a permit, and Temple Terrace is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
- Who issues the permit in Temple Terrace?
- The local building department for Temple Terrace 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.