Largo, FL Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- FS Chapter 515
- Min barrier
- 4 feet
- Picket gap
- Max 1.75 in
- Affidavit
- Required at permit
Summary
Largo enforces Florida's Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act requiring a four-foot barrier, self-closing gate, or alternative safety feature on every new residential pool before final inspection.
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 . However, the requirement of attending a drowning prevention education program is waived if such program is not offered within 45 days after issuance of the citation.
Full Breakdown
Pool barriers in Largo follow Florida Statutes Chapter 515 (Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act) and the Florida Building Code Chapter 45, both enforced through Largo's pool permitting process under Comprehensive Development Code Chapter 16. Every new residential pool, spa, or hot tub must include at least one safety feature before final inspection: a barrier at least four feet tall on the outside, an approved safety pool cover, exit alarms on doors and windows providing direct pool access, or self-closing self-latching devices on those doors with releases at least 54 inches above the floor. Pool gates must open outward away from the pool, self-close, and self-latch. Vertical picket spacing cannot exceed 1.75 inches. Applicants must submit a signed Residential Pool/Spa Safety Act Affidavit with the pool permit.
Violations & Fines
Failure to equip a new pool with at least one safety feature is a second-degree misdemeanor under FS 515.29; permit close-out is denied and the pool cannot be filled or used until compliance is achieved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall does a pool fence need to be in Largo?
What safety features satisfy the Largo pool barrier rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Largo
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