5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Hillsborough County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Hillsborough County requires building permits for all in-ground and above-ground pools over 24 inches deep. FL Building Code Chapter 4 and FL 515 Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act apply.
F.S. 515.27 — Residential swimming pool safety feature options; penalties
515.27 Residential swimming pool safety feature options; penalties. — (1) 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 po...
FL 515.27 requires 48-inch barrier around all residential pools. Self-closing, self-latching gates opening outward. Latches 54 inches high. Hillsborough County enforces via building permit and code enforcement.
Fla. Stat. ch. 515
(2) “Barrier” means a fence, dwelling wall, or nondwelling wall, or any combination thereof, which completely surrounds the swimming pool and obstructs access to the swimming pool, especially access from the residence or from the yard outside the barrier. (3) “Department” means the Department of Health. (4) “Exit alarm” means a device that makes audible, continuous alarm sounds when any door or...
Hillsborough pools must comply with FL 515 and Florida Building Code. Anti-entrapment VGB drains, pool alarms or alternative safety features, GFCI electrical, and barrier-compliant enclosures mandatory.
Fla. Stat. § 515.27
Chapter 515 RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOL SAFETY ACT Entire Chapter SECTION 27 Residential swimming pool safety feature options; penalties. F.S. 515.27 515.000000000000 Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act 2023.00000000000 0515.27 27 515.27 Residential swimming pool safety feature options; penalties. — (1) In order to pass final inspection and receive a certificate of completion, a residential swim...
Above-ground pools over 24 inches deep require Hillsborough building permit and full FL 515 barrier compliance. Removable ladders alone are NOT sufficient barrier.
Hot tubs and spas with safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 are exempt from pool barrier requirements under FL 515.29. Permit required for installation.
3 cities in Hillsborough County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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