Florissant's Swimming Pools & Spas: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles swimming pools & spas a little differently. In Florissant, Missouri, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Pool Permits

Florissant requires a building permit before constructing, enlarging, altering or demolishing a residential pool or spa under Section 105.1 of the adopted 2021 Swimming Pool and Spa Code. Small pools under twenty-four inches deep or under 250 square feet of surface area, and purely decorative ponds without a filtration system, are exempt.

Key details: Code adopted: 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code. Permit required: before construction, alteration or demolition. Exempt: pools/spas 24 inches deep or less. Exempt: surface area 250 sq ft or less. Appeals body: Planning and Zoning Commission.

Building, enlarging or demolishing a pool or spa without the required permit, or in violation of approved plans or a Code Official directive, is subject to the penalties of Section 100.080 under Section 113.4, with each day the violation continues after notice a separate offense.

Fencing & Safety Requirements

Florissant requires a compliant barrier around any private pool, hot tub or spa deeper than twenty-four inches under Section 303.2 of its Property Maintenance Code. The barrier must stand at least forty-eight inches high, and every gate has to be self-closing and self-latching, with the release mechanism on the pool side if mounted below fifty-four inches.

Key details: Barrier trigger depth: pools/spas over 24 inches. Minimum barrier height: 48 inches above grade. Gates: must be self-closing and self-latching. Latch below 54 inches: release mechanism on pool side. Exception: ASTM F 1346 safety cover on spa.

Removing or weakening a required pool barrier, or leaving a gate that fails to self-close and self-latch, is a violation of the Property Maintenance Code subject to the penalties of Section 100.080 under Section 109.4, with each day of noncompliance treated as a separate offense.

The Bottom Line

Florissant's swimming pools & spas rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Florissant is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Florissant's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.