Above-ground pools count as swimming pools under Florida law once they hold water more than 24 inches deep, so they need a permit and must meet the same Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act barrier or safety-feature requirements as in-ground pools.
FS 515.25 defines a swimming pool to include in-ground, aboveground, and on-ground pools, hot tubs, and nonportable spas that contain water over 24 inches deep. That means an above-ground pool deeper than 24 inches triggers the same FS 515.27 safety-feature mandate and a Manatee County building permit. The pool wall itself can serve as part of the barrier only if it meets the height and climbability standards; removable ladders or elevated decks still must prevent easy child access. Portable or inflatable pools under 24 inches deep fall outside the statute.
An above-ground pool over 24 inches deep installed without a permit or required safety feature is subject to Manatee County code enforcement and cannot pass final inspection.
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