By SunLife Homes. Reviewed October 2026.
Short answer: Every new residential pool in Florida must have at least one approved safety feature under Chapter 515, such as a barrier, safety cover, exit alarms, self-latching doors, or a pool alarm. On SunLife’s Sunset Harbor, the pool version starts roughly $80,000 above the standard plan, based on October 2026 pricing.
A pool is often the point of the move. This guide covers the price difference on a SunLife plan, the safety rules, and the questions that protect you before you sign. Sources for every outside fact are listed at the end.
In this guide
- How Much Does a Pool Add to the Price?
- What Does Florida Law Require?
- How High Must a Pool Barrier Be?
- How Is the Safety Feature Chosen at Permit?
- What Must a Builder Give You?
- What Should You Ask Before You Sign?
- Can You Get a Pool Home in Port Charlotte?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Guides
How Much Does a Pool Add to the Price?
On SunLife’s floor plans page, the Sunset Harbor (4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 1,818 square feet) starts in the $340s, and the Sunset Harbor with Pool starts in the $420s. That is a difference of roughly $80,000 for the pool version of the same plan, based on October 2026 pricing. Prices change, so confirm current pricing with the SunLife team.
What Does Florida Law Require?
According to Florida Statute 515.27, a residential pool must meet at least one of five requirements to pass final inspection and receive a certificate of completion: an enclosure that meets the barrier requirements, an approved safety pool cover, exit alarms on all doors and windows with direct access to the pool, self-closing and self-latching devices on those doors, or a pool alarm certified to ASTM F2208. Failing to equip a new residential pool with at least one is a second-degree misdemeanor, and no penalty applies if the owner adds a safety feature and attends a drowning prevention program within 45 days.
How High Must a Pool Barrier Be?
Under Florida Statute 515.29, a barrier must be at least 4 feet high on the outside, with no gaps, openings, or protrusions that could let a young child crawl under, squeeze through, or climb over. It must surround the pool, and gates must open outward, close on their own, and have a self-latching lock.
How Is the Safety Feature Chosen at Permit?
Cities typically ask the owner to confirm which method will be used when the permit is pulled. The City of Tavares publishes a sample notice of requirements where the homeowner affirms the method, such as a barrier, a safety cover, or exit alarms. Ask your builder which method is included in the price and what it adds if you choose another.
What Must a Builder Give You?
Under Florida Statute 515.33, a licensed home builder that agrees to build a house with a pool must give the buyer a document containing the requirements of Chapter 515 and a copy of the Florida Department of Health’s drowning prevention publication. Ask for both before you sign.
What Should You Ask Before You Sign?
- What is included in the pool package, such as size, equipment, deck, and screen enclosure?
- Which Chapter 515 safety feature is included, and is the barrier part of the price?
- What will the pool add to my homeowners insurance premium? Ask your agent for a quote.
- What are the monthly upkeep costs, and who is responsible for them?
- Does the pool change my timeline? Ask whether SunLife’s reported average timeline includes the pool.
Can You Get a Pool Home in Port Charlotte?
SunLife offers two plans in Port Charlotte, the Seabreeze Cove and the Sunset Harbor, according to its Port Charlotte page. If you want a pool there, ask whether a pool version is available for your homesite. Florida’s pool safety law applies statewide, and your local building department enforces it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florida require a fence around a new pool?
Florida requires at least one of five safety features, and a barrier is one of them. The Florida Building Code and your local building department set the details for the option you choose.
How much does a pool add to a SunLife home?
On the Sunset Harbor plan, the pool version starts roughly $80,000 above the standard version, based on October 2026 pricing.
What is the penalty for not following the pool safety law?
Failing to equip a new residential pool with at least one required safety feature is a second-degree misdemeanor under section 515.27 of the Florida Statutes.
How high must a pool barrier be?
Florida Statute 515.29 requires a barrier at least 4 feet high on the outside.
Does Florida’s pool safety law apply in Port Charlotte?
Yes. Chapter 515 of the Florida Statutes applies to every new residential pool in the state. Your local building department enforces it.
How many pool safety features does Florida require?
At least one of the five options listed in Florida Statute 515.27.
What must a builder give me when I buy a pool home?
Under Florida Statute 515.33, a licensed home builder must give the buyer a document containing the requirements of Chapter 515 and the Department of Health’s drowning prevention publication.
Who enforces the pool safety law?
The pool must meet at least one safety feature requirement to pass final inspection and receive a certificate of completion, so your local building department checks it. Some local governments adopt stricter ordinances.
What is ASTM F2208?
It is the standard a pool alarm must be certified to in order to count as a safety feature under Florida’s pool safety law.
Related Guides
- What Makes a New Home Hurricane-Ready in Cape Coral and Port Charlotte?
- What Is Included in a New Construction Home in Cape Coral and Port Charlotte?
- Can You Buy a New Construction Home in Cape Coral or Port Charlotte Under $500,000?
Sources
- The Florida Senate, Florida Statutes Chapter 515, Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act. flsenate.gov
- City of Tavares, Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act notice of requirements. tavaresfl.gov
- SunLife Homes, Floor Plans, October 2026. mysunlifehome.com/plans
- SunLife Homes, home page (average timeline), October 2026. mysunlifehome.com
- SunLife Homes, Port Charlotte community page, October 2026. mysunlifehome.com
Important Information
The information in this article is provided for general educational purposes only and is not financial, mortgage, legal, tax, or insurance advice. SunLife Homes is a homebuilder and is not a mortgage lender, broker, or insurance agent. Figures from third parties, including prices, market data, and program terms, were accurate as of the date shown and may change without notice. Plan names, features, and prices are subject to change. Eligibility for any loan, assistance program, or insurance discount depends on your individual circumstances and the requirements of the lender, program, or insurer. Consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. SunLife Homes supports equal housing opportunity.
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