Alachua County, FL Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Barrier Height
- 4 feet minimum outside
- Compliance Options
- 5 options under F.S. 515.27
- Exit Alarm
- 85 dB A at 10 feet
- Door Release
- 54+ inches above floor
- Pool Alarm
- ASTM F2208 certified
- Violation
- Second-degree misdemeanor
Summary
Alachua County follows the Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (F.S. Ch. 515) and the Florida Building Code. Per F.S. 515.27, new residential pools must meet at least one of five safety options: a 4-foot barrier compliant with F.S. 515.29; an approved ASTM F1346 safety pool cover; exit alarms on doors/windows providing direct pool access (minimum 85 dB at 10 ft); self-closing, self-latching home-door devices with releases at least 54 inches above the floor; or an ASTM F2208 pool alarm.
F.S. 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 pool must be equipped with an approved safety pool cover; (c) All doors and windows providing direct access from the home to the pool must be equipped with an exit alarm that has a minimum sound pressure rating of 85 dB A at 10 feet; (d) All doors providing direct access from the home to the pool must be equipped with a self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor; or (e) A swimming pool alarm that, when placed in a pool, sounds an alarm upon detection of an accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water. Such pool alarm must meet and be independently certified to ASTM Standard F2208, titled "Standard Safety Specification for Residential Pool Alarms," which includes surface motion, pressure, sonar, laser, and infrared alarms. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "swimming pool alarm" does not include any swimming protection alarm device designed for individual use, such as an alarm attached to a child that sounds when the child exceeds a certain distance or becomes submerged in water. (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 least one safety feature as required in subsection (1) and has attended a drowning prevention education program established by s. 515.31.
Full Breakdown
27 requires that a residential swimming pool pass final inspection only after meeting at least one of five safety feature options. S. 29: minimum 4 feet high on the outside, no gaps, indentations, or climbable components allowing a young child to crawl under, squeeze through, or climb over, placed sufficiently away from the water's edge. Option (b) is an approved safety pool cover meeting ASTM F1346. Option (c) is exit alarms on all doors and windows providing direct pool access, with a minimum sound pressure rating of 85 dB A at 10 feet.
Option (d) is self-closing, self-latching devices on all doors providing direct home access to the pool, with the release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor. Option (e) is a pool alarm certified to ASTM Standard F2208 (wearable alarms do not qualify). The Florida Building Code Residential Section R4501 incorporates these requirements. Alachua County Building Division (352-374-5243) enforces these provisions through final inspection and Certificate of Completion under the Florida Building Code as adopted by county ordinance. ) administer pool barrier inspections within their jurisdictions.
Violations & Fines
A person who fails to equip a new residential swimming pool with at least one approved safety feature commits a misdemeanor of the second degree under F.S. 515.27(4). Penalties may be waived if, within 45 days after arrest or summons, the person installs at least one safety feature and completes a drowning prevention education program (where offered). A pool cannot pass final inspection or receive a Certificate of Completion without one of the five compliance options being verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum pool fence height in Alachua County?
Can I skip the fence if I install a pool cover or alarm?
Sources & Official References
- [1]https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0500-0599/0515/Sections/0515.27.html
- [2]https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0500-0599/0515/Sections/0515.29.html
- [3]https://library.municode.com/fl/alachua_county/codes/code_of_ordinances
Other rules in Alachua County
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