Does Florida require a fence around a pool?

According to state law, a pool of any type that’s over 24 inches deep must have a barrier, and a property fence doesn’t count. Such laws are mandated by Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act, which was designed to prevent the accidental drowning of children. Studies have shown that, every five days during a Florida summer, a child under the age of five drowns in a residential pool. Every swimming pool in Florida is required to have a barrier surrounding it that is at least 48 inches high.

This barrier can’t have any openings or gaps through which a child could climb or crawl, and must completely enclose the entire pool.

515.29 Residential swimming pool barrier requirements.

(1) A residential swimming pool barrier must have all of the following characteristics:

(a) The barrier must be at least 4 feet high on the outside.

(b) The barrier may not have any gaps, openings, indentations, protrusions, or structural components that could allow a young child to crawl under, squeeze through, or climb over the barrier.

(c) The barrier must be placed around the perimeter of the pool and must be separate from any fence, wall, or other enclosure surrounding the yard unless the fence, wall, or other enclosure or portion thereof is situated on the perimeter of the pool, is being used as part of the barrier, and meets the barrier requirements of this section.

(d) The barrier must be placed sufficiently away from the water’s edge to prevent a young child or medically frail elderly person who may have managed to penetrate the barrier from immediately falling into the water.

(2) The structure of an aboveground swimming pool may be used as its barrier or the barrier for such a pool may be mounted on top of its structure; however, such structure or separately mounted barrier must meet all barrier requirements of this section. In addition, any ladder or steps that are the means of access to an aboveground pool must be capable of being secured, locked, or removed to prevent access or must be surrounded by a barrier that meets the requirements of this section.

(3) Gates that provide access to swimming pools must open outward away from the pool and be self-closing and equipped with a self-latching locking device, the release mechanism of which must be located on the pool side of the gate and so placed that it cannot be reached by a young child over the top or through any opening or gap.

(4) A wall of a dwelling may serve as part of the barrier if it does not contain any door or window that opens to provide access to the swimming pool.

(5) A barrier may not be located in a way that allows any permanent structure, equipment, or similar object to be used for climbing the barrier.

History.—s. 1, ch. 2000-143.

Swimming pool glass fences provide maximum safety and security for your home without compromising your view. You can clearly see if a small child has wondered into danger by just glancing out a window. Such an enclosure also keeps unwanted pets from taking an unsupervised swim.

If you live in Florida and have a pool, a glass pool fence makes perfect sense.

Call AMG today to learn more about our glass railings and fences.

We serve customers throughout the South Florida area Including West Palm beach, Jupiter, Boca Raton, Naples, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Marco Island & The Keys.

We would love to hear about your project. 

We provide free onsite consultations and estimates and can also pre-qualify your project over the phone.

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Does Florida require a fence around a pool?

According to state law, a pool of any type that’s over 24 inches deep must have a barrier, and a property fence doesn’t count. Such laws are mandated by Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act, which was designed to prevent the accidental drowning of children.

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