Palm Beach County, FL Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Min Height
- 4 feet
- Gap
- No 4-inch sphere passage
- Gate
- Self-closing self-latching
- Latch Height
- 54 inches minimum
- Penalty
- FL §515.29 misdemeanor
Summary
Pool barriers in Palm Beach County must comply with FL §515.27 Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act. Required: 4-foot minimum barrier height, no openings allowing a 4-inch sphere to pass, self-closing and self-latching gates with latch at least 54 inches above ground, and removal of climbable surfaces within 20 inches of the barrier exterior.
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.
Full Breakdown
FL §515.29 requires every residential pool to have at least one of: an isolation barrier (fence) meeting FL §515.27 specs, an approved safety pool cover, exit alarms on doors and windows providing direct access to the pool, or self-closing self-latching devices on doors with release mechanism at least 54 inches above floor. PBC enforces at final pool inspection and during code enforcement complaints. Existing pools must be brought to compliance when a permit is pulled for renovation. Screen enclosures may serve as a barrier if they meet FL §515.27 requirements.
Violations & Fines
Non-compliant barrier: second-degree misdemeanor under FL §515.29, up to 60 days jail and $500 fine. Code Enforcement: $250 first offense, escalating to special magistrate.
Sources & Official References
- [1]FL §515.27
- [2]FL §515.29
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida swimming pools & spas overview
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