As noted in the graph above, new swimming pool construction was on a steady climb in Florida since 2011, and in 2022, the market slowed. Based on the latest Swimming Pool Construction Activity Trend Reports from HBW, it is clear that the decline in construction has continued through last year. From January through December of 2023, there have been 30,435 new swimming pool permits added to the HBW database, reflecting a 22 percent year-over-year decrease in new swimming pool construction activity in the Sunshine State.
In the six regions reviewed (Southwest, Southeast, Northwest, Northeast, Central, West) there were marked decreases in new pool construction ranging from -12 percent to -27 percent, with the highest concentration of new pool construction activity taking place in the southwestern region (8,683 permits) where there was a 25 percent year-over-year decrease in new pool permits.
Here is a closer look at the total number of new permits on record in each Florida region reviewed, as well as the leading counties and annual % change in permitting activity:
Southwest
As previously mentioned, the southwestern region of Florida experienced a 25 percent year-over-year decrease in new pool construction last year, resulting in 8,683 new permits added to the HBW database. Out of the five counties that make up the southwest, Lee County (2,712 permits) held the greatest amount of new pool construction and exhibited a 24 percent annual decline in new pool construction.
Southeast
Last year, the southeastern region of Florida demonstrated a 27 percent year-over-year decrease in new pool construction activity that resulted in approximately 5,680 new permits on record with HBW. Out of the seven counties that make up the southeast, Palm Beach (1,938 permits) had the highest concentration of new pool permits and reflected a 26 percent year-over-year decrease in construction.
West
Not far behind the southeast, the western region of Florida ranked #3 for new pool construction last year, having nearly 5,300 new permits which resulted from a 23 percent year-over-year decrease in new pool construction activity. Out of the seven counties that make up the area, close to half of all new permits originated from Hillsborough County (1,707 permits) and Polk County (873 permits) where there were year-over-year decreases in pool construction of 16% and 35% respectively.
Central
Last year, Central Florida demonstrated an 18 percent year-over-year decrease in new swimming pool construction, resulting in 4,564 new permits on record with HBW. Out of the six counties reviewed, more than half of all new permits originated from the counties of Orange (1,589 permits) and Brevard (924 permits) where there were year-over-year declines in new construction of 19% and 16% respectively.
Northeast
In the northeastern region of Florida, there were nearly 3,200 new pool permits added to the HBW last year, reflecting an 18 percent year-over-year decrease in new swimming pool construction. Out of the eight counties that make up the northeast, more than half of all new construction took place in the counties of St. Johns (1,129 permits) and Duval (634 permits) where there were annual decreases in pool construction of 22% and 18% respectively.
Northwest
Last year, there were approximately 3,025 pool starts in the northwest as a result of a 12 percent year-over-year decrease in new swimming pool construction. Out of the eighteen counties reviewed, the greatest concentration of new permits could be found in Walton County, where there was a 9 percent year-over-year decrease in new pool construction that resulted in approximately 580 new permits added to the HBW database.
To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.