Do screen enclosures and pool cages need a permit in Brevard County?

Yes. On Florida's Space Coast, a screen enclosure or pool cage is a permanent accessory structure under the Florida Building Code. It needs a building permit and engineered wind-load drawings approved by Brevard County Building and Development before it goes up.

Almost every pool home on the Space Coast has one, and plenty of non-pool homes do too. The screened lanai is a Florida signature for a reason: it lets you enjoy the backyard without the bugs, adds shade, and keeps leaves and debris out of the pool. If you are moving to Melbourne, Merritt Island, or Viera, understanding how these structures are built and rated will make you a sharper buyer.

This guide walks through permits, wind ratings, screen types, and what happens after a storm, so you know what to look for when a Brevard County listing photo shows that big aluminum cage over the pool.

How screen enclosures are built and rated on the Space Coast

A pool cage is an engineered aluminum frame wrapped in screen mesh. Because Brevard County is a coastal, hurricane-exposed area, these structures are not slapped together. The Florida Building Code sets the structural rules, and the aluminum framing has to be sized and anchored to handle wind. You can read the structural design requirements in the Florida Building Code, Chapter 16, and the state's overall code framework at floridabuilding.org.

Wind speed is the key design input. Florida uses wind speed maps from the ASCE 7 standard, and your design wind speed depends on where the home sits in Brevard County. Coastal and barrier island addresses in places like Cocoa Beach and Satellite Beach carry higher design wind speeds than homes farther inland. Brevard County publishes the maps builders use at its Building Code Wind Speed Maps page.

What this means in plain terms: a properly permitted Space Coast pool cage is engineered for your location. An unpermitted one built by a previous owner may not be, and that is a real thing to check.

What screen type is on the enclosure?

Not all screen is the same, and the mesh on a Brevard County enclosure affects your view, your bug protection, and your maintenance. Common options include:

  • Standard 18/14 mesh: the default, good airflow and visibility, keeps out most insects.
  • No-see-um mesh: a tighter weave that blocks the tiny biting midges common near the Space Coast water and marshes.
  • Pet screen: heavier and tear resistant, good for homes with dogs or cats that lean on the screen.
  • Privacy or Florida Glass panels: solid or tinted panels used along the lower sections for privacy or splash protection.

When you tour a home in Merritt Island or Melbourne, look at whether the screen is tight and intact or sagging and patched. Re-screening is a normal maintenance cost, not a structural problem, but it tells you how the enclosure has been cared for.

What happens to a pool cage in a hurricane?

Screen enclosures are designed to protect the pool area, not to survive every storm intact. In a strong hurricane, screens are often engineered to tear away so the aluminum frame has less surface for the wind to grab. That is by design. After a major storm on the Space Coast, re-screening companies stay busy for months.

The frame itself, if properly built and anchored, is meant to hold up. So after a storm, a Brevard County homeowner may need new screen and a few new fasteners rather than a whole new cage. When you buy, ask when the enclosure was last re-screened and whether the frame has ever been inspected or repaired.

Insurance and your Space Coast screen enclosure

Screen enclosures are often treated differently from your main house on a Florida homeowners policy. Some policies cover them under a separate limit, and some carry a higher deductible for screen and pool cage damage in a named storm. This is not a reason to worry, just a reason to read your policy carefully and ask questions before you buy a Brevard County pool home. Every policy is different, so confirm the specifics for the exact home and coverage you are considering.

What Space Coast buyers should check

  • Was the enclosure permitted? A quick check with Brevard County Building and Development can confirm it.
  • Is the aluminum frame solid, level, and free of heavy corrosion where it meets the deck?
  • Is the screen tight, or does it need re-screening soon?
  • How does your insurance policy handle the screen enclosure and pool cage?

A screen enclosure adds real livability to a Space Coast home. Once you know it is permitted, well built, and cared for, that big screened lanai becomes one of the best parts of Florida living in Brevard County.

Frequently asked questions

Are pool cages required on the Space Coast?

No, a screen enclosure is not required by code. Many Brevard County pool owners choose one for bug protection, shade, and easier pool maintenance. Some communities have their own rules about enclosures, so check the HOA guidelines along with county permitting.

How long does a screen enclosure last in Florida?

A well built aluminum frame can last for decades on the Space Coast, while the screen mesh itself typically needs replacing every several years, sooner after a hurricane. Sun, salt air, and storms all shorten screen life, so plan on periodic re-screening as a normal Brevard County maintenance item.

Can I add a screen enclosure to a home that does not have one?

Yes. You will need a permit and engineered drawings approved by Brevard County Building and Development, and the design must meet the wind speed for your location. A licensed aluminum contractor handles the permit and installation on most Space Coast projects.

Shopping for a pool home in Melbourne, Merritt Island, Viera, or anywhere on Florida's Space Coast and want help sizing up the enclosure and the rest of the property? My partner Nichole and I got your back. Reach out anytime at (321) 212-7676 or www.livingspacecoast.com.