Swimming Pools & Spas in Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)
5 verified swimming pools & spas rules for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Fort Lauderdale Pool Permit and Safety Act Requirements
Some RestrictionsFla. Stat. Sec. 515.27 (Residential swimming pool safety feature options; penalties)
In order to pass final inspection and receive a certificate of completion, a residential swimming pool must meet at least one of the following requirements relating to pool safety features: (a) The pool must be isolated from access to a home by an enclosure that meets the pool barrier requirements of s. 515.29. (b) The pool must be equipped with an approved safety pool cover. (c) All doors and ...
Fencing Requirements
All swimming pools and spas in Fort Lauderdale must be completely enclosed by an open-mesh screen enclosure or a fence or wall at least five feet high under ULDR Section 47-19.2, and every new residential pool must also meet the Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act's four-foot barrier standard in Florida Statutes Section 515.29.
Fort Lauderdale Pool Fence and Barrier Rules
Heavy RestrictionsFla. Stat. Sec. 515.29 (Residential swimming pool barrier requirements)
The barrier must be at least 4 feet high on the outside. 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. 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 th...
Safety Rules
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.
Fort Lauderdale Pool Maintenance and Nuisance Rules
Some RestrictionsFort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances Sec. 18-3 and Sec. 18-12 (Nuisances)
Stagnant water means any accumulation of water which lacks flow; which may be a breeding or feeding place for mosquitoes, rodents, snakes, or other species of insect or animal; which constitutes a habitat for disease bearing organisms; or which is a host for algae and other growth indicative of water that is not disinfected. Swimming pool means any structure intended for the collection of water...
Above-Ground Pools
Above-ground pools in Fort Lauderdale are still pools under city and state law: Florida Statutes Section 515.29 lets the pool structure itself serve as the barrier only if it is at least four feet high and any ladder or steps can be secured, locked, or removed, while ULDR Section 47-19.2 still requires a five-foot enclosure and a building permit applies.
Fort Lauderdale Above-Ground Pool Barrier Rules
Some RestrictionsFla. Stat. Sec. 515.29(2) (above-ground pool barrier)
Where an aboveground swimming pool structure is used as a barrier or where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, and the means of access is a ladder or steps, then the ladder or steps either must be capable of being secured, locked, or removed to prevent access, or the ladder or steps must be surrounded by a barrier that meets the requirements of subsections (1)-(4). The barrier ...
Hot Tub Rules
Hot tubs and spas in Fort Lauderdale are treated as swimming pools: they are subject to the same five-foot enclosure under ULDR Section 47-19.2, the same Chapter 18 nuisance and maintenance rules, and the Florida Statutes Chapter 515 barrier and safety-feature requirements when the water is more than 24 inches deep.
Fort Lauderdale Hot Tub and Spa Rules
Some RestrictionsFort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances Sec. 18-3 (Definitions)
Swimming pool means any structure intended for the collection of water for the purpose of immersion or partial immersion therein of human beings, including but not limited to spas, hot-tubs, and similar structures.
Looking for Broward County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Lauderdale city rules.
Swimming Pools & Spas in Broward County →