Which office
| Where you live | Office | What we found |
|---|---|---|
| City of Dothan | Permits and Inspections | Civic Center, 126 N Saint Andrews St; (334) 615-4450; permits@dothan.org; applications 8–4 weekdays |
| Enterprise | Engineering Services & Public Works | 501 S Main St; (334) 348-2671; 24-hour residential review |
| Ozark, Daleville, Headland | Each city's own office | Call city hall before you sign |
| Taylor, Kinsey, Rehobeth and other small towns | Town hall | Rules and fees vary |
| Unincorporated Houston County | Houston County Commission | We could not confirm a county pool permit; ask |
A Dothan mailing address is not the same as being in the city. If your lot is outside the limits, Dothan says you don't need its permit, though the county or town may require one (city FAQ).
Fences and gates
Dothan's fence permit form asks whether the fence surrounds a pool and says a pool barrier fence must be at least 48 in high with a self-locking latch on every gate (fence form). The fence needs its own permit and a site plan, and it can't sit on a right of way. Enterprise's pool application asks for the same 4 ft minimum and a self-locking gate (Enterprise).
Enterprise setbacks and fees
In Enterprise, a pool must be at least 5 ft from the property line and 10 ft from the house, and the application asks for a lot drawing that shows which way water drains (pool application). The city adopted the 2021 Swimming Pool & Spa Code in March 2023. Fees are $56.27 plus $3.38 per $1,000 of cost above $5,000, so a $60,000 pool works out to about $260; start work before the permit and the fee doubles (permit requirements).
Checking the builder's license
Alabama's general contractors board requires a license for "Swimming Pool construction of $5,000 or more" (ALBGC), and coastal cities such as Fairhope say residential pool contractors are licensed by that board too (Fairhope). In Dothan the contractor also needs a city business license to pull the permit (Dothan). Get both numbers in writing.
Wind and electrical
Dothan designs to a 120 mph wind load (city FAQ), which matters for screen enclosures and pergolas. Every pool needs electrical and plumbing permits in the city, so check that the quote covers them.
Common questions
Who issues pool permits in Dothan?
Inside city limits it's Permits and Inspections at the Civic Center, 126 N Saint Andrews St, (334) 615-4450 (City of Dothan). A Dothan mailing address outside the city limits doesn't need a city permit, but the county or town may require one (city FAQ).
How tall must a pool fence be in Dothan?
At least 48 in, with a self-locking latch on every gate. That rule is printed on the city's fence permit form, and fences need their own permit (Dothan fence form). Enterprise's pool application likewise asks for a 4 ft minimum fence and a self-locking gate.
How far from the house does a pool have to be in Enterprise?
Enterprise's pool permit form says every pool must sit at least 5 ft from the property line and 10 ft from the house, and it wants a drawing showing setbacks and which way water drains (Enterprise pool application).
Sources & further reading
- City of Dothan: building permits
- City of Dothan: permits FAQ
- City of Dothan: fence permit form (2020). Pool barrier rule
- Enterprise: swimming pool application (2026)
- Enterprise: permit requirements (2026)
- Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors
- City of Fairhope: contractor licensing
Editorial note: General planning information, not engineering or legal advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rules with your local officials and a qualified pro.