Swimming Pools & Spas in Palm Beach County, FL (2026)

5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Palm Beach County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Pool Permits

All in-ground and above-ground swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs in unincorporated Palm Beach County require a building permit from PBC Planning, Zoning and Building (PZB). Construction must comply with the Florida Building Code 7th Edition and FL §515 Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act.

Swimming Pools: Pool Permits

Heavy Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Fencing Requirements

Pool barriers in Palm Beach County must comply with FL §515.27 Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act. Required: 4-foot minimum barrier height, no openings allowing a 4-inch sphere to pass, self-closing and self-latching gates with latch at least 54 inches above ground, and removal of climbable surfaces within 20 inches of the barrier exterior.

Swimming Pools: Fencing Requirements

Heavy Restrictions

Fla. Stat. § 515.27

515.27  Residential swimming pool safety feature options; penalties. — (1)  In order to pass final inspection and receive a certificate of completion, a residential 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 requir...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Safety Rules

FL Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act requires every residential pool in PBC to have at least one approved safety feature in addition to a barrier: pool cover, exit alarms, self-closing doors, or pool alarm. VGB-compliant anti-entrapment drain covers are mandatory on all pools and spas.

Swimming Pools: Safety Rules

Heavy Restrictions

Fla. Stat. § 515.27(2)

(2)  A person who fails to equip a new residential swimming pool with at least one pool safety feature as required in subsection (1) commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083 , except that no penalty shall be imposed if the person, within 45 days after arrest or issuance of a summons or a notice to appear, has equipped the pool with at...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Above-Ground Pools

Above-ground pools in unincorporated Palm Beach County require a building permit if water depth exceeds 24 inches per FL Building Code. Barrier requirements under FL §515.27 apply identically to above-ground pools — including ladders that are removable or have lockable barriers.

Swimming Pools: Above Ground Pools

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Hot Tub Rules

Hot tubs and spas in unincorporated Palm Beach County require a building permit for installation, electrical permit for the dedicated 240V circuit, and must have either a locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 or a barrier meeting FL §515.27 standards.