Santa Rosa County, FL Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum height
- 4 feet on the outside
- Gate
- Outward, self-closing, self-latching
- Latch release
- Pool side, out of reach
- Gaps
- None a child can pass
- Authority
- FS 515.29; LDC 5.02.05
Summary
Residential pools must be enclosed by a barrier at least 4 feet high with no gaps a child could crawl under or climb, under Florida's Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (FS 515.29). Gates must open outward, self-close, and self-latch on the pool side.
The barrier must be at least 4 feet high on the outside. 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.
Full Breakdown
FS 515.29 requires the barrier be at least 4 feet high on the outside with no gaps, openings, indentations, protrusions, or components that could let a young child crawl under, squeeze through, or climb over. Gates must open outward away from the pool, be self-closing, and self-latching, with the release located on the pool side and out of a child's reach. A dwelling wall may serve as barrier only if it has no door or window opening to the pool. Santa Rosa County LDC 5.02.05 adopts the current Florida Building Code barrier requirements and adds the same fair-warning enclosure duty on the property owner.
Violations & Fines
Failing to provide or maintain the required barrier is a second-degree misdemeanor under FS 515.29 and a code-enforcement violation locally, with the owner given 45 days to correct after notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall must my pool fence be?
Can my house wall count as the fence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Rosa County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Santa Rosa County to another location·View the Florida swimming pools & spas overview
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