A pool plan goes faster when the builder sends the lot survey and a clear description of the pool before drawing starts, and it holds up better when the finished set is checked against the site plan before anything is laid out.
What a Pool Plan Set Covers
RAO Designs is an engineering and design firm that prepares pool plans for homeowners and builders in Southwest Florida. The set covers:
- Site placement of the pool on the lot
- Pool dimensions
- Deck layout
- Equipment layout
- Hydraulic calculations
- Shell and steel structural details
The plans are signed and sealed by RAO's in-house Florida-licensed Professional Engineer.
What to Send with the Request
- The lot survey
- A description of the pool you want, including shape, size and features
- The house plans or site plan, if you have them
- Photos or site notes, including anything near the pool area that could affect the layout
What the County Pages List for Pools
As the pages read when we checked on October 10, 2026, Collier County's pool page asks for a proposed site plan for every pool. For an inground pool it also asks for a site-specific, dimensioned pool plan with engineered structural details and total dynamic head calculations. It says a certified site plan may be required when new impervious area passes 400 square feet, and that a pool on a septic lot must show its distance to the septic system.
Lee County's pool guide lists a plan view and cross section for inground pools, hydraulic calculations, suction outlet details, and a site plan showing setbacks, deck dimensions and equipment locations. These lists change, so ask which items are in the plan set and which you or a subcontractor supply, and read the current page for the jurisdiction.
Decide the Barrier Early
Both counties' pages address the barrier around the pool. Collier asks for the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act form with the proposed barrier method. Lee's guide says the pool must be enclosed and that a fence or screen enclosure needs its own permit. If the barrier will be a screen enclosure, RAO Designs also prepares screen enclosure plans, so settle the barrier before the pool is laid out.
What This Does Not Cover
This post describes what a pool plan includes and what to send. It does not give pricing, how long a project takes, or whether a permit will be approved.
When to Call the Building Department or the Designer
Call the building department about requirements for your lot. When plan review comes back with comments, RAO Designs coordinates directly with the building department and handles the responses and plan revisions within its scope of work. Call the designer if the pool location, size or deck changes after the plan is drawn.
Questions Builders Ask
- Do you work with builders? Yes. RAO Designs works with both homeowners and builders.
- What do I need to send? The lot survey and a description of the pool you want.
- Who handles the pool engineering? RAO's in-house Florida-licensed Professional Engineer handles the shell and steel structural requirements.
- Which areas do you serve? Collier County, Lee County, Marco Island, Bonita Springs, Naples, Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres.
Ready to start? Tell us about the pool and where the lot is in Collier or Lee County on the contact page, or read about pool designs.
