Fort Lauderdale, FL Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing Requirements (2026)

Two layers of law govern pool fencing in Fort Lauderdale. First, the City's Unified Land Development Regulations (ULDR) Section 47-19.2 (Accessory buildings, structures and equipment, general) require that all swimming pools and spas be completely enclosed by either an open-mesh screen enclosure or a fence or wall a minimum of five (5) feet in height above the ground, measured from the outside, with all screen doors and fence gates equipped with self-closing, self-latching mechanisms; pools or spas on plots that directly abut a waterway are not required to be enclosed along that waterway. Second, the State of Florida preempts the minimum life-safety standard through Chapter 515, the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act. Florida Statutes Section 515.29 requires that a residential pool barrier be at least 4 feet high on the outside, have no gaps or openings that could allow a young child to crawl under, squeeze through, or climb over, be placed around the perimeter of the pool, and be set sufficiently away from the water's edge. Gates must open outward away from the pool and be self-closing and self-latching, with the release mechanism located on the pool side and out of a small child's reach. Because Fort Lauderdale's five-foot requirement is stricter than the state's four-foot floor, the higher local standard controls within the city.