Fencing Requirements: Cape Coral vs Fort Myers

Cape Coral requires residential swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs to be enclosed by a barrier at least 4 feet high, consistent with Florida Statute 515.29 and Florida Building Code R4501. The pool area or entire back yard must be enclosed before the pool is filled with water more than 24 inches deep. Side-yard fences (except on waterfront parcels) must be 6 feet of opaque fencing. A screen enclosure may substitute for a fence. If a barrier is damaged, a 4-foot mesh safety barrier must be installed within 10 days and may remain up to 90 days. Florida Statute 515.27 allows alternative safety devices in lieu of a barrier.

Pool barriers in Fort Myers must comply with Florida Statute 515.29 and FBC Residential 8th Edition (2023) Section R4501.17. Required minimums: 48-inch barrier height on the outside face, less-than-4-inch sphere openings, max 2-inch ground clearance, horizontal members spaced at least 45 inches apart (or pickets less than 1-3/4 inches apart if closer), self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward away from the pool, and latch release at least 54 inches above gate bottom on the pool side.