Florence County, SC Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

Sec. 21-150 of the Unsafe Structure Abatement Code first requires that swimming pools be kept in a clean and sanitary condition, then sets the enclosure standard: private swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas containing water more than 24 inches deep must be completely surrounded by a fence or barrier at least 48 inches high, measured from the finished ground level on the side away from the pool. Gates and doors in that barrier must be self-closing and self-latching; if the self-latching device sits less than 54 inches above the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism must be located on the pool side of the gate so it can't be reached from outside.

The gate must positively close and latch when released from six inches open. Owners can't remove, replace, or alter an existing pool enclosure in any way that reduces its effectiveness as a safety barrier. The section exempts spas or hot tubs fitted with a safety cover that complies with ASTM F 1346 from these enclosure requirements. Because this provision lives in Chapter 21's general structure-maintenance framework, enforcement follows the same complaint-driven process as other Unsafe Structure Abatement Code violations: the code official investigates on a written complaint, inspects, and serves a correction notice before any penalty is sought.