In the state of Florida, fencing is not legally required for residential or commercial properties where two properties share a boundary. However, any fencing that is constructed must comply with local laws and regulations, as well as state regulations in regards to safety. At FloriFence, we help our customers comply with all local and state laws surrounding their fence construction and ensure they have the best fence for their surrounding neighborhood.
In Florida, fences are not required except in the case of residential or commercial pools. Pool fencing is required for safety precautions, and must meet the following guidelines:
- Must be at least four feet tall
- Fence cannot have any gaps or holes exceeding 1.75 inches that would allow a child to climb over the fence
- Fence must be constructed at least 20-inches away from the water to prevent accidental falls
- All horizontal fence posts must be spaced at least 45 inches apart
- Fence cannot be located close enough to a permanent structure such as a shed or garage to allow easy climbing over the fence
- Gates must open away from the pool and be lockable, self-closing, and self-latching, with the locking mechanism located on the pool-side of the gate
- Gate latches must be located at least 54-inches from the ground and have no gaps larger than 0.5-inches within 18-inches of the latch
These guidelines only apply to pool fences, but must be met even for residential pools. In most cases, a privacy fence is adequate for pool fencing as long as it encompasses the entire backyard.
In other cases, fences must only meet the following guidelines in compliance with legal statutes 588.01 and 588.011. Fences must be:
- Substantially constructed with approved materials and be between five and six feet in height
- Have no gaps larger than four inches between materials
Fences are also typically covered under Florida homeowners’ insurance in the “other structures” policies. This typically covers 10% of the value of the home’s coverage limit, which is often enough to repair or cover most of the cost of a new installation. However, be sure to check with your insurance company to ensure your fence is adequately covered for issues such as hurricane or flooding damage.
If you want to learn more about fencing laws, requirements, and best practices in Florida, contact your local FloriFence today.
FloriFence LLC. 