Whatever's going on with your enclosure, that's the starting point, not your home's age. Here's what's a little different about screen work inside the Tampa city limits.
Start with what you're seeing
A tired cage with sagging screen, a door that drags, storm damage, or a brand new pool waiting on its enclosure: your contractor treats each of those differently, and the frame's actual condition matters more than how old the house is. Tampa homes span more than a century, from prewar bungalows to new construction, so a neighborhood of older homes doesn't necessarily mean an old, tired cage, and a new build doesn't necessarily mean no enclosure yet. The evaluation, not the address, decides.
Tampa permits go through the city, not the county
If your address is inside Tampa city limits, enclosure permits go through the city's own Construction Services Division, not Hillsborough County. The city's fee schedule lists a flat $316 for a residential aluminum screen room, pool cage, or porch, plus the state building permit surcharge of 2.5 percent ($4 minimum). Rescreening an existing enclosure is exempt from permits in most cases. Your contractor confirms what your job needs and files it with the right office.
Repairing or rescreening an existing cage
If your enclosure has been up for a while, the contractor's first step is the frame: straight uprights and beams, sound fasteners, and footings that haven't moved. When those check out, rescreening is usually the right job, and it's a chance to upgrade the mesh. When they don't, repairs come first, and the contractor explains what's involved before recommending anything.
Adding a first enclosure
Finishing a pool or patio and ready to enclose it? That's a design and engineering project: roof style, screen, doors, and how the cage meets your house. If your neighborhood has an HOA or deed restrictions, architectural approval is often needed before the city permit application goes in. The contractor can tell you what the application needs to show.
Services for Tampa homes
- Pool cage rescreening for sound frames with worn screen
- Pool cage repair for bent members, corroded hardware, or storm damage
- Pool enclosure installation for new cages and replacements
- Lanai rescreening and porch and sunroom screen repair
- Screen door repair for doors that sag, drag, or won't latch
How to get started
Send one request describing what you see and what you'd like done. We connect you to one trusted local contractor serving Hillsborough County, including the city of Tampa, who discusses your needs and sets up an in person evaluation. Photos aren't required, though the contractor may ask for a wide view and a close view first.
Frequently asked questions
Does Tampa use the county's permit office?
No. The city of Tampa runs its own building department. Your contractor files any required permit with the city.
What does a Tampa enclosure permit cost?
The city lists a flat $316 for a residential aluminum screen room, pool cage, or porch, plus a 2.5 percent state surcharge. Rescreening usually doesn't need a permit at all.
Our house is older. Can the existing cage be saved?
Often, if the frame is straight, the fasteners are sound, and the footings haven't moved. The contractor confirms that in person, not from the age of the house.
Do you serve all of Tampa?
Yes. The same local contractor serves the entire city and the rest of Hillsborough County.