Hillsborough County, FL Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

Sec. 8-117 of the Hillsborough County Code of Ordinances sits in Chapter 8, Article IV, the Property Maintenance Code, and it reaches every swimming pool in unincorporated Hillsborough County without regard to when the pool was constructed or erected. The county enforces the rules on each individual premises. Under the Sec. 8-106 definition, a swimming pool is any structure in a residential area intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains or can contain water over 24 inches deep, including in-ground, aboveground and on-ground pools, hot tubs and non-portable spas.

A private pool barrier must stand at least 48 inches above finished ground, measured on the side facing away from the pool. The gap between grade and the bottom of the barrier cannot exceed four inches, and no opening can pass a four-inch diameter sphere. Chain-link mesh tops out at a 2.25-inch square unless slats fastened at the top or bottom bring the openings down to 1.75 inches or less. A lattice barrier cannot have diagonal openings wider than 1.75 inches. On a barrier of horizontal and vertical members, the vertical spacing cannot exceed four inches and the horizontal members go on the pool side. The barrier must sit far enough back from the water's edge to stop a child who gets through from falling straight in, and it cannot be placed where a permanent structure, equipment or similar object lets someone climb it.

Access gates must meet the same standards and carry a self-closing, self-latching locking device. If the latch is less than 54 inches above the bottom of the gate, the release must sit on the pool side at least three inches below the top of the gate, with no opening wider than 0.5 inch within 18 inches of it, unless the gate uses a top pull style safety latch. The gate has to close and latch positively when released from an open position of six inches from the gatepost. Waterfront lots need no fence along the water body as long as the pool is inaccessible by land. On an aboveground pool used as its own barrier, ladders or steps must be capable of being secured, locked or removed, or be enclosed by a compliant barrier.