Port St. Lucie, FL Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Height
- 48 inch minimum
- Gate
- Self-closing self-latching
- Gaps
- Max 4 inches
- Extra Safety
- Alarm, cover, or door alarm
- State Law
- FL §515
Summary
Pool fences in Port St. Lucie must comply with FL §515 Residential Pool Safety Act. Minimum 48-inch height, self-closing self-latching gates, at least one additional safety feature required.
515.29 Residential swimming pool barrier requirements. — (1) A residential swimming pool barrier must have all of the following characteristics: (a) The barrier must be at least 4 feet high on the outside.
(b) 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.
(c) The barrier must be placed around the perimeter of the pool and must be separate from any fence, wall, or other enclosure surrounding the yard unless the fence, wall, or other enclosure or portion thereof is situated on the perimeter of the pool, is being used as part of the barrier, and meets the barrier requirements of this section.
(d) The barrier must be placed sufficiently away from the water's edge to prevent a young child or medically frail elderly person who may have managed to penetrate the barrier from immediately falling into the water.
(2) The structure of an aboveground swimming pool may be used as its barrier or the barrier for such a pool may be mounted on top of its structure; however, such structure or separately mounted barrier must meet all barrier requirements of this section. In addition, any ladder or steps that are the means of access to an aboveground pool must be capable of being secured, locked, or removed to prevent access or must be surrounded by a barrier that meets the requirements of this section.
(3) Gates that provide access to swimming pools must open outward away from the pool and be self-closing and equipped with a self-latching locking device, the release mechanism of which must be located on the pool side of the gate and so placed that it cannot be reached by a young child over the top or through any opening or gap.
(4) A wall of a dwelling may serve as part of the barrier if it does not contain any door or window that opens to provide access to the swimming pool.
(5) A barrier may not be located in a way that allows any permanent structure, equipment, or similar object to be used for climbing the barrier.
Full Breakdown
Florida Statute §515 (Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act) imposes the strictest pool barrier requirements in the United States. A pool barrier must be at least 48 inches high with no gaps over 4 inches and no horizontal members the barrier could be climbed on the exterior side. Gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and open outward away from the pool with the latch at least 54 inches above the ground. In addition to the fence, at least one of the following is required: pool alarm, approved safety cover, exit alarms on all doors/windows leading to the pool, or self-closing/self-latching doors. Port St. Lucie has one of the highest residential pool densities in the Treasure Coast so enforcement is active.
Sources & Official References
- [1]FL §515
Other rules in Port St. Lucie
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Port St. Lucie to another location·View the Florida swimming pools & spas overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.