Does GCS Palm Beach take a pool or an outdoor kitchen on its own?

Yes. A pool, a spa, a loggia or an outdoor kitchen can be the whole job, or one part of a renovation or a new house.

Does a pool on a landmarked property need Landmarks approval?

Yes. On a landmark site or in a historic district, pools, fountains, garden walls and landscaping need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Landmarks Preservation Commission before the Town issues a permit.

What does the Town charge to permit a pool?

The Town’s 2026 residential fee table lists swimming pools at $3,000 each and driveways and hardscape at $1 per square foot, plus compliance fees set as a percentage of the permit fee. The Town says its fees are subject to change.

Can hardscape and landscape changes be approved without a hearing?

Many can. The Town’s staff review guide covers hardscape, landscape, landscape lighting, pergolas, and fences, walls and gates. Substantial landscape changes go to the commission, and some side or rear changes need the neighbor’s consent.

Pools and outdoor living

Pools and outdoor living on Palm Beach island.

GCS Palm Beach builds pools, spas, loggias and outdoor kitchens on Palm Beach island, as part of the house or on their own. Philip runs the job, pulls the building permits and works with your architect through ARCOM and Landmarks.

License: CGC057454 (opens the state record)
Licensed since: 1994
On the island: Over 25 years
Liability insurance: $1M

Call Philip Text Philip

Red tile roofed estate with a pool pavilion and a formal lawn — House and pool pavilion

License: CGC057454 (opens the state record)
Licensed since: 1994
On the island: Over 25 years
Liability insurance: $1M

i.Pools and spas

Pools and spas, built with the house.

A new pool and spa, a lap pool, or the old pool rebuilt with a new deck. It can be the whole job, or one part of a renovation or a new house.

Pool and loggia of an oceanfront house at dusk — Pool and loggia

Pool with a stone fountain wall, planted urns and balustrades — Pool and fountain

A pool and spa
A lap pool
A new pool deck
A fountain wall

ii.Loggias and outdoor kitchens

Loggias and outdoor kitchens.

A covered loggia with a fireplace, a kitchen under a wood ceiling, a bar by the pool. Built to the house’s own details, so it reads as part of the house.

Outdoor kitchen under a wood ceiling with a fireplace, looking out to a lit pool — Outdoor kitchen and loggia

iii.Decks, walls and gates

The deck, the walls, the gate.

Stone and paver decks, garden walls, gates and the drive. On the island, many smaller hardscape and landscape changes can be approved by Town staff; substantial ones go to the commission.

On a landmarked property, the pool, a fountain or a garden wall needs a Certificate of Appropriateness first.

Iron gate across a paver drive, the house beyond among palms — Gate and drive

iv.One builder

One number for all of it.

The pool, the deck, the loggia and the kitchen, with the licensed trades each part needs, on one schedule and one open book. Philip stays your one number.

Covered loggia with French doors, a travertine floor and a bistro table — Loggia

Rectangular pool against a planted garden wall — Pool

From the work

All the work

Pool
Pool, spa and loggia
Outdoor kitchen and pool

The Town of Palm Beach

Through the Town, in order.

A pool or a loggia runs through the same Town departments as the house. Philip has worked on the island for over 25 years.

01
Building department
Permits are filed in the Town’s online portal. The 2026 fee table lists a swimming pool at $3,000 and hardscape at $1 per square foot, subject to change.
Permits on Palm Beach
02
ARCOM
ARCOM reviews landscaping and what the street can see. Smaller hardscape, landscape, pergola, wall and gate changes can be approved by Town staff.
How ARCOM works
03
Landmarks
On a landmark site or in a historic district, pools, fountains, garden walls and landscaping need a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Renovating a landmark
04
Working hours
From November 1 to April 30, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., no site noise before 9. No construction December 24 through January 1.
Construction hours

From the Town’s published rules, checked October 2026. Rules change; check the Town (opens the town’s official site) for your property.

Questions

Not here? Ask Philip.

Call Philip Text Philip

Does GCS Palm Beach take a pool or an outdoor kitchen on its own?
Yes. A pool, a spa, a loggia or an outdoor kitchen can be the whole job, or one part of a renovation or a new house.
Does a pool on a landmarked property need Landmarks approval?
Yes. On a landmark site or in a historic district, pools, fountains, garden walls and landscaping need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Landmarks Preservation Commission before the Town issues a permit.
What does the Town charge to permit a pool?
The Town’s 2026 residential fee table lists swimming pools at $3,000 each and driveways and hardscape at $1 per square foot, plus compliance fees set as a percentage of the permit fee. The Town says its fees are subject to change.
Can hardscape and landscape changes be approved without a hearing?
Many can. The Town’s staff review guide covers hardscape, landscape, landscape lighting, pergolas, and fences, walls and gates. Substantial landscape changes go to the commission, and some side or rear changes need the neighbor’s consent.
How is a pool job priced?
Open book. You see every cost.