You may have heard that Florida law requires a pool enclosure. That’s not quite right. Florida law requires new residential pools to have at least one approved safety feature, and a screen enclosure is only one way to meet it. Here’s what the law says and how an enclosure fits in.
The law: Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act
Florida’s pool safety rules are in Chapter 515, Florida Statutes, the Preston de Ibern/McKenzie Merriam Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act. It was enacted in 2000 (ch. 2000-143). The Legislature found that drowning is the leading cause of death of young children in Florida, and it intended that every new residential pool, spa, and hot tub have at least one safety feature to deny, delay, or detect unsupervised entry.
The law applies to residential pools, spas, and hot tubs that hold water more than 24 inches deep. That includes in-ground and aboveground pools (F.S. 515.25).
What Section 515.27 requires
Under F.S. 515.27(1), a new residential pool must meet at least one of these requirements to pass final inspection and receive a certificate of completion:
- A barrier. The pool is isolated from access to the home by an enclosure that meets the barrier requirements of s. 515.29.
- An approved safety pool cover that meets ASTM F1346-91.
- Exit alarms. Every door and window that gives direct access from the home to the pool has an exit alarm rated at least 85 dB A at 10 feet.
- Self-closing, self-latching doors. Every door that gives direct access from the home to the pool has a self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism at least 54 inches above the floor.
- A pool alarm placed in the pool that sounds when someone enters the water and is independently certified to ASTM F2208. Wearable child alarms do not count.
Failing to equip a new residential pool with at least one of these features is a second-degree misdemeanor under s. 515.27(2). The penalty is waived if the owner adds a feature within 45 days and completes a drowning-prevention program.
What counts as a compliant barrier (s. 515.29)
If you use a barrier, including a screen enclosure, F.S. 515.29 says it must:
- Be at least 4 feet high on the outside
- Have no gaps, openings, indentations, protrusions, or structural components that would let a young child crawl under, squeeze through, or climb over it
- Be placed around the perimeter of the pool, separate from your yard fence unless that fence sits on the pool perimeter and meets the same requirements
- Be far enough from the water’s edge that a child or frail elderly person who gets through can’t immediately fall into the water
- Have gates that open outward, away from the pool, and are self-closing and self-latching, with the latch release on the pool side and out of a child’s reach
- Not be placed where a permanent structure or equipment could be used to climb it
A wall of the house can serve as part of the barrier only if it has no door or window that opens to the pool.
Where a screen enclosure fits
The Florida Building Code allows a standard screen enclosure that meets these requirements to serve as part or all of the pool barrier (FBC Residential R4501.17.1.11). So a well-built enclosure is a practical, popular way to comply, and it also keeps out bugs and debris.
There is one common catch. Most Florida pool enclosures attach to the back of the house, and the home’s sliding doors open straight into the enclosure. In that setup, the enclosure doesn’t separate the pool from the home, so a second feature is typically used on the house side, such as door exit alarms or self-closing, self-latching doors. Your pool contractor and building department will confirm what your layout needs.
Also keep in mind that cities and counties may adopt pool safety ordinances that are equal to or stricter than Chapter 515 (s. 515.37). Always check with your local building department.
Planning a pool enclosure?
Southern Aluminum Installations has designed and built pool enclosures in the Tampa Bay area since 1988. We engineer each enclosure to current Florida Building Code requirements, handle the permit, and schedule the final inspection. Learn more about our custom pool enclosures, or read our pool enclosure FAQs.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Sources: Florida Statutes ch. 515 (ss. 515.23, 515.25, 515.27, 515.29, 515.37), as published by the Florida Legislature; Florida Building Code, Residential, R4501.17. Requirements can change, and local rules may be stricter. Confirm with your local building department.