Doral, FL Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum Height
- 48 inches
- Gate Latch
- Self-closing, self-latching at 54 inches
- Opening Size
- No 4-inch sphere passage
- State Law
- F.S. 515.27-515.35
- Screen Enclosure
- HVHZ NOA required
Summary
Doral enforces strict pool barrier requirements under the Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act and the Florida Building Code. All residential pools must have a barrier at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates. Pool barriers must meet HVHZ wind load standards.
515.29 Residential swimming pool barrier requirements. — (1) A residential swimming pool barrier must have all of the following characteristics: (a) The barrier must be at least 4 feet high on the outside.
(b) The barrier may not have any gaps, openings, indentations, protrusions, or structural components that could allow a young child to crawl under, squeeze through, or climb over the barrier.
(c) The barrier must be placed around the perimeter of the pool and must be separate from any fence, wall, or other enclosure surrounding the yard unless the fence, wall, or other enclosure or portion thereof is situated on the perimeter of the pool, is being used as part of the barrier, and meets the barrier requirements of this section.
(d) The barrier must be placed sufficiently away from the water’s edge to prevent a young child or medically frail elderly person who may have managed to penetrate the barrier from immediately falling into the water.
(2) The structure of an aboveground swimming pool may be used as its barrier or the barrier for such a pool may be mounted on top of its structure; however, such structure or separately mounted barrier must meet all barrier requirements of this section. In addition, any ladder or steps that are the means of access to an aboveground pool must be capable of being secured, locked, or removed to prevent access or must be surrounded by a barrier that meets the requirements of this section.
(3) Gates that provide access to swimming pools must open outward away from the pool and be self-closing and equipped with a self-latching locking device, the release mechanism of which must be located on the pool side of the gate and so placed that it cannot be reached by a young child over the top or through any opening or gap.
(4) A wall of a dwelling may serve as part of the barrier if it does not contain any door or window that opens to provide access to the swimming pool.
(5) A barrier may not be located in a way that allows any permanent structure, equipment, or similar object to be used for climbing the barrier. History. — s. 1, ch. 2000-143.
Full Breakdown
S. 35) and Chapter 45 of the Florida Building Code. Pool barriers must be at least 48 inches high measured from the outside of the barrier. Gates in pool barriers must be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch at least 54 inches above the ground on the pool side or equipped with a key lock. Barrier openings must not allow passage of a 4-inch sphere. 75-inch diamond openings. The bottom of the barrier must be within 2 inches of the grade to prevent a child from crawling under.
Where a house wall serves as part of the pool barrier, all doors opening to the pool area must have self-closing devices and alarms. Screen enclosures can serve as pool barriers if they meet height and structural requirements, including HVHZ wind load ratings with a current Miami-Dade NOA. Pool alarms, safety covers (ASTM F1346), and door alarms (UL 2017) are accepted as additional safety features.
Violations & Fines
Pool barrier violations are enforced by Code Compliance at (305) 593-6740 and may involve the Building Department. Inadequate pool barriers can result in violation notices, fines, and mandatory corrective action. Serious violations may be escalated as life-safety issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall must a pool fence be in Doral?
Can a screen enclosure serve as a pool barrier in Doral?
Do doors opening to the pool need alarms in Doral?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Doral
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