Florida Statutes Chapter 515 establishes minimum statewide pool barrier requirements applying to every residential swimming pool, spa, or hot tub. New pools must meet at least one safety feature requirement before receiving a certificate of completion, regardless of city or county location.
The Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (Ch. 515, F.S.) requires all new residential pools, spas, and hot tubs to satisfy at least one of five pool safety features: a four-foot non-climbable barrier surrounding the pool, an approved safety pool cover, exit alarms on all doors and windows providing direct pool access, self-closing, self-latching devices on all direct-access doors, or a pool alarm certified to ASTM F2208. Barriers must be at least 48 inches high, have no gaps allowing a 4-inch sphere to pass, and be placed sufficiently away from the water. Local jurisdictions may impose stricter standards but cannot waive these baseline statewide requirements.
Failing to meet a required safety feature is a second-degree misdemeanor under F.S. 515.27(2), up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine, waived if the owner adds a feature and completes drowning prevention education within 45 days.
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