Swimming Pools & Spas in Fort Lauderdale, FL

If you live in Fort Lauderdale or are thinking about moving there, swimming pools & spas are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Fort Lauderdale has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of swimming pools & spas, and some of them might surprise you.

Fencing & Safety Requirements

Under Fort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances Chapter 18, it is a public nuisance to maintain a swimming pool, spa, or hot tub with non-working equipment, stagnant water, accumulated garbage or solid waste, or water so cloudy the deepest point is not clearly visible, and owners can be cited and ordered to abate the condition.

Key details: City Code Chapter: Code of Ordinances Ch. 18 (Nuisances). Definitions: Sec. 18-3 (swimming pool; stagnant water). Pool nuisance: Sec. 18-12. Covered structures: Pools, spas, hot tubs, similar structures. Clarity standard: Deepest point must be clearly visible.

A pool nuisance is enforced by the Fort Lauderdale Code Compliance Division through notices of violation, abatement orders, and Special Magistrate proceedings; continuing violations can accrue daily fines and the City may abate the condition (for example, draining or treating the pool) and lien the property to recover its costs.

Pool Permits

Building a residential swimming pool, spa, or hot tub in Fort Lauderdale requires a building permit through the Development Services Department, and the pool cannot pass final inspection until it has at least one pool safety feature required by Florida Statutes Section 515.27, such as a compliant barrier, safety cover, exit alarms, or self-latching doors.

Key details: Permitting authority: Fort Lauderdale Development Services / Building Services. State Law: Fla. Stat. Sec. 515.27; FBC Sec. 454. Permit forms: Pool Permit Checklist, Pool Barrier Affidavit. Trigger depth: Water over 24 inches deep. Safety features required: At least 1 of 5 (barrier, cover, alarms, latches, pool alarm).

Building a pool without a permit can trigger stop-work orders, after-the-fact permit fees, and code-compliance penalties. Under Florida Statutes Section 515.27(2), a person who fails to equip a new residential swimming pool with at least one required safety feature commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable under ss. 775.082 or 775.083; the penalty is waived if the owner installs a compliant safety feature within 45 days after arrest or issuance of a summons and attends a drowning-prevention education program (waived where unavailable).

The Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale'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 Fort Lauderdale is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Fort Lauderdale'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.