[dbussone]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

OK, call Sumter County building dept, or stop by the office in Pinellas plaza. Unless the hot tube is one of the "blow up" units, or a 120 volt plug in, I am reasonably sure that a permit is required. It is much better to be safe then sorry.

PM me if you want additional info.

Safe is the operative word. Great advice VT.

[CFrance]

The home inspection guy on TOTV (Frank D'Angelo?) had a post about how many hot tubs he has seen with not-to-code or improper installation.

If I may quote Mr. D'Angelo:

"The code states that any window within 5 feet of the waters edge is supposed to be tempered glass. Sliding glass doors are already tempered glass. Most windows are not.
Any outlets or switches are supposed to be 6 feet away from the waters edge. Any aluminum or metal within 5' from the waters edge needs to be bonded with at least #8 bonding wire. A 110 volt spa that already has a GFCI cord should not be plugged into an outlet already protected by a GFCI breaker.

I find these codes non-compliant all the time. Many folks just buy a spa and install it however they want to without any thought of being code compliant. I am not saying this is right or wrong....just saying what I find on a daily basis.

Hope this helps!

Frank D. "

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by CFrance

The home inspection guy on TOTV (Frank D'Angelo?) had a post about how many hot tubs he has seen with not-to-code or improper installation.

If I may quote Mr. D'Angelo:

"The code states that any window within 5 feet of the waters edge is supposed to be tempered glass. Sliding glass doors are already tempered glass. Most windows are not.
Any outlets or switches are supposed to be 6 feet away from the waters edge. Any aluminum or metal within 5' from the waters edge needs to be bonded with at least #8 bonding wire. A 110 volt spa that already has a GFCI cord should not be plugged into an outlet already protected by a GFCI breaker.

I find these codes non-compliant all the time. Many folks just buy a spa and install it however they want to without any thought of being code compliant. I am not saying this is right or wrong....just saying what I find on a daily basis. Hope this helps! Frank D. "

That's very interesting information. Thank you.
Fireboy has installed a couple of hot tubs at our cottage, and he is willing to install this one.
Of course he isn't familiar with local code.
So I'll probably hire Lenhart Electrical to do most of the electrical work.
I'll request an electrician who is experienced at installing hot tubs. He should be able to tell us what approvals and permits are required.
Hopefully they do everything according to local code.

[rubicon]

We bought in 2006 and a that time it was take it or leave it. We explained to our realtor that given the increase in home pricing unless the home we wanted had the following we would leave it and head for South Carolina.

the realtor the nicest person you would want to me called me three weeks later and located that home. The downside it had a built in spa which we did not want and which we seldom use and which we continue to feed. I even upgraded the pump that cost me well over $1100.

I wanted to pull it out but SHE said no SHE would use it.

No one has mentioned this but because we have a spa the sliding glass doors are equipped with an alarm as a child protection safety feature.

Well I told my wife that she won keeping the spa but if she thought because it was equipped with a child safety alarm that we were having more kids then that is when I put my foot down

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

That's very interesting information. Thank you.
Fireboy has installed a couple of hot tubs at our cottage, and he is willing to install this one.
Of course he isn't familiar with local code.
So I'll probably hire Lenhart Electrical to do most of the electrical work.
I'll request an electrician who is experienced at installing hot tubs. He should be able to tell us what approvals and permits are required.
Hopefully they do everything according to local code.

Barefoot, let me provide some clarification, there are actually 2 permits required, one for the hot tub/spa (this is a building permit) and will require a building inspection. The second is the electrical permit. I am assuming this is a 240 v rated installation. Also, existing electrical receptacles in the area of the new hot tub may need to be blanked off.
As mentioned in a previous post, Frank D'Angelo is knowledgeable in this area, and I have used his home inspections services before, he was excellent. He can probably add to the above.
While the permits may seem to be a pain, these are there to keep you and your family & friends SAFE. Also, if something happens and the installation was not inspected, you may find yourself uninsured.

[Barefoot]

No more questions.

[Barefoot]

No more questions.

[dbussone]

Well I sure learned a lot from following this thread. Thank you for asking the questions Bare.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by dbussone

Well I sure learned a lot from following this thread. Thank you for asking the questions Bare.

Yes, I also learned a lot on this thread; and I thank everyone who shared information!
Now I'm reconsidering my decision to get a hot tub, since we are only here for six months each year.
And I'm trying to simplify my life, not make it more complicated.
The cost of moving a hot tub and having electrical properly installed isn't inexpensive. And it's time consuming.
I'm told that when you request a Building Permit, it increases property taxes.
Lots to think about.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Yes, I also learned a lot on this thread; and I thank everyone who shared information!
Now I'm reconsidering my decision to get a hot tub, since we are only here for six months each year.
And I'm trying to simplify my life, not make it more complicated.
The cost of moving a hot tub and having electrical properly installed isn't inexpensive. And it's time consuming.
I'm told that when you request a Building Permit, it increases property taxes.
Lots to think about.

Not true in our case, also, as far as I know, in Sumter County, only the Air Conditioned space is taxed, hence all of the threads about enclosing the lanais. We just added a reasonably large birdcage, and the most recent tax bill was the same as last year, as I recall.

[vorage]

The permit requirements also vary depending on whether you are in Marion, Sumter or Lake county, so be sure your electrician has it right.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Not true in our case, also, as far as I know, in Sumter County, only the Air Conditioned space is taxed, hence all of the threads about enclosing the lanais. We just added a reasonably large birdcage, and the most recent tax bill was the same as last year, as I recall.

Yes, I think you're absolutely right!

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Yes, I also learned a lot on this thread; and I thank everyone who shared information!
Now I'm reconsidering my decision to get a hot tub, since we are only here for six months each year.
And I'm trying to simplify my life, not make it more complicated.
The cost of moving a hot tub and having electrical properly installed isn't inexpensive. And it's time consuming.
I'm told that when you request a Building Permit, it increases property taxes.
Lots to think about.

If you put it on wheels you could move it to my house when you are gone. I'd be happy to make sure it remains functional for the 6 months you are not here.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

We bought a hot tub today for our birdcage through classified ads.
Can anyone suggest a company to move it (other than T & D)?
Also, can anyone suggest a good electrician?

I know I've seen previous threads but I can't find them!

Is it the Soft Spa that was for sale? If so Go To Guys can move it for you. If not check on Craig's list and do a search for hot tubs. When I was looking for my son a hot tub some hot tub movers came up.