Where families live
Military OneSource points families toward Daleville, Enterprise and Ozark, and warns against putting down a deposit on a place you haven't seen (Military OneSource). Each of those is its own city with its own permit office, and Enterprise has written pool setbacks (see permits). On-post housing is handled by the housing office, so a private pool only makes sense on a home you own.
If orders could come
- Plan for the next owner or tenant. A simple shape, a sturdy fence and an automatic cover appeal to more people than a showpiece.
- Think about care from afar. If you'll rent the home out, decide who services the pool and who pays.
- Fiberglass or gunite? Fiberglass usually costs the least to keep up; gunite lasts for decades with a re-plaster.
- Ask about warranty transfer. Some builders offer a transferable structural warranty; get the terms in writing.
The build calendar
| Month | Rain (in) | Avg high (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.76 | 61.7 |
| February | 4.82 | 65.8 |
| March | 4.72 | 72.9 |
| April | 4.79 | 79.3 |
| May | 2.92 | 87.2 |
| June | 5.08 | 91.3 |
| July | 5.95 | 93.3 |
| August | 6.17 | 92.0 |
| September | 3.27 | 88.4 |
| October | 2.70 | 80.8 |
| November | 3.91 | 71.1 |
| December | 4.76 | 63.8 |
NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dothan Regional Airport (NCEI). About 54 in of rain a year.
October and May are the driest months. Signing in early fall usually means digging before the wettest winter weeks and swimming by late spring. Summer storms can stall a dig for days at a time.
Storms this far inland
Hurricane Michael struck the Florida Panhandle on October 10, 2018, as a Category 4 with 155 mph winds (NWS Tallahassee), and Dothan's airport recorded gusts of 60–62 mph that evening (NHC). Before a storm, leave the pool full, bring loose furniture inside and run the pump while you have power (UF/IFAS). Fallen pine limbs are the usual cleanup job afterward.
Common questions
When should I sign with a builder?
Early fall works well. October averages just 2.70 in of rain at Dothan Regional Airport, the driest month of the year (NOAA normals), and a fall or winter start leaves room for permits and weather before the first warm weekends of spring.
We're stationed at Fort Rucker. Is a pool worth it if we might PCS?
It depends on how long you'll own the house and whether you'll rent it out after you move. If you might leave in a few years, think about upkeep from a distance, a fence a tenant can live with, and whether buyers near the post want a pool. A builder can price a simpler pool that fits that plan.
What should I do with the pool before a hurricane?
Keep it full, take furniture and toys inside rather than sinking them, and run the pump while the power holds (UF/IFAS Extension). Dothan is far enough inland to miss storm surge, but Hurricane Michael still gusted to 62 mph at the airport in 2018 (NHC).
Sources & further reading
- 1819 News: Fort Novosel redesignated Fort Rucker (Jul 2025)
- Military OneSource: Fort Rucker housing
- NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dothan
- NWS Tallahassee: Hurricane Michael
- NHC: Michael update, Oct 10 2018
- UF/IFAS Extension: pools and hurricanes
Editorial note: General planning information, not engineering or legal advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rules with your local officials and a qualified pro.