Yes, we have a permit. The permit is more specific for "barriers" to prevent people getting into the pool. The electrical section just wants NEC and manufacturers specs followed. Our pump is double insulated and just wants an appropriate outlet/switch, and a GFI. A listened Electrician friend is doing the line to the pump, but scratches his head at a ground wire that goes nowhere.

I've decided to add the 8G ground around the pool while the ground is freshly disturbed, bond it at 4 spots on the pool, add a ground plate to the skimmer, and add a pigtail near the pump for future use (in case someone changes the pump to non double insulated). Total material cost is about $125 additional. This whole bonding thing is confusing, but better safe than sorry- plus being in code always help when we decide to move.

Bob