If you are buying fence for a pool, start with the law. Florida Statute 515.29 sets the barrier requirements for residential swimming pools. This guide summarizes it in plain English. It is general information, not legal advice, and your county and city add their own rules.
Height and openings
- The barrier must be at least 4 ft tall on the outside.
- It cannot have gaps, openings, indentations or protrusions that would let a young child crawl under, squeeze through or climb over.
- The statute does not give a numeric maximum gap. Your county and the building code fill in the details, so ask your permit office.
Where the barrier goes
- It goes around the pool, and it must be separate from a yard fence unless that fence is on the pool perimeter and meets all the requirements.
- It must sit far enough from the water that a child who gets past it could not fall straight in.
- No permanent structure, equipment or object may be placed where it can be used to climb the barrier.
- A wall of the house can be part of the barrier only if no door or window opens to give access to the pool.
Gates and latches
- Pool gates must swing outward, away from the pool.
- They must close automatically and latch automatically.
- The release mechanism must be on the pool side and positioned so a young child cannot reach it over the top or through an opening.
What this means when you buy
- Choose a style whose height and picket spacing meet the rules. Puppy picket and double picket reduce the gaps.
- Buy self-closing, self-latching hardware. Some aluminum gates ship without hardware.
- Ask for the spec sheet of the style you choose and confirm it with the permit office before you order.
- In the City of Orlando, a fence that serves as a required pool or spa barrier needs a permit.
We stock aluminum pool fence panels, puppy picket and pool gate hardware in Orlando. See our aluminum pool fence page or send us your footage.
