The Project
Lakeland, FL 33812 County: Polk County Building Department
Project: Pool (14×28) + Detached ADU (700 sq ft) — Same Lot, Simultaneous Permits
Service: Two Non-Certified Site Plans (coordinated)
Timeline: 24 hours — both plans delivered together
The Situation
The homeowner wanted to add both a pool and a detached ADU to their Lakeland property simultaneously. Post SB 943, the lot qualified for an ADU. The homeowner wanted both permits pulled at the same time to start construction together.
Two permits. Same parcel. One lot coverage limit.
The Problem
Before we drew a single line, we ran the lot coverage calculation.
Existing impervious surface: house footprint (1,820 sq ft) + existing concrete driveway (380 sq ft) = 2,200 sq ft on an 18,000 sq ft lot = 12.2% existing coverage.
Proposed additions:
- Pool water surface: 14 × 28 = 392 sq ft
- Pool deck: 580 sq ft
- ADU: 700 sq ft footprint
- ADU patio (proposed): 120 sq ft
Total proposed addition: 1,792 sq ft New total: 2,200 + 1,792 = 3,992 sq ft = 22.2% of lot
Polk County RS zone maximum impervious: 40%.
We were at 22.2% well within the limit. Both permits could proceed simultaneously without a variance.
If we hadn’t done this calculation before drawing, the homeowner might have learned about this requirement from a county reviewer. Instead, they learned from us before they submitted anything.
What We Did
Pool Site Plan: Pool location, 5-foot setbacks from all property lines (water edge to property line), F.S. 515.29 pool barrier compliance (barrier line, 48-inch height, gate swing outward, 54-inch latch height), equipment pad with clearance, impervious surface calculation showing both pool and ADU in the new total.
ADU Site Plan: ADU footprint, 4-foot rear and side setbacks per SB 943, primary residence setback (8 feet), parking space, utility connection. Lot coverage calculation confirming combined pool + ADU stays under 40% limit. SB 943 notation.
Both plans on the same base drawing same parcel record, same property boundaries, same impervious surface reference. Perfectly coordinated.
The Result
Both permits submitted together to Polk County Building Department.
Both approved in the same review cycle. Construction started on both projects simultaneously.
Tags: Pool · ADU · SB 943 · Dual Permit · Lakeland · Polk County · Lot Coverage · Florida
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