Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Apartment Complexes, Retirement Communities, Mobile Home Parks, Community Pools, City Pools, and Health and Fitness Clubs and Associations are all examples of facilities where the State of Florida will regulate the swimming pools as "Public" swimming pools, whether or not the pools are open to the general public, or just the members or residences of the facility. Commonly, these types of Swimming Pools are refered to as Commercial Pools.
Yes. "Commercial" is a general term (a laymens term) used to refer to any swimming pool regulated by the State of Florida as a "Public" Swimming Pool. "Public" is a technical and legal term used by the State to describe any pool where five or more families, or unrelated individuals, have access to use the pool. In this case the State of Florida does not distinguish between Profit and Non-Profit entities.
Yes. The State of Florida has very strict regulations on the minimum size swimming pool any facility is permitted to have. The calculations for determining the size of the pool are complex, but, in general if you own or are building a modest 88 unit Hotel the calculations will require a minimum size pool of 15 feet wide x 30 feet long and 6 feet deep at one end, however, if you own or are building a facility with three hundred units you may be required a pool that is 30 feet wide x 50 feet long and 5 feet deep at one end.
No. Florida specifically restricts the use of wooden decks around public pools. Pool decks must be made of impervious materials such as concrete or cement pavers. Any wooden decks or sidewalks near the pool cannot allow for direct access to them by the pool patrons and must be blocked by a minimum four foot high barrier such as a fence or other barrier.
For most, the answer is yes, though there are some exceptions. The important thing to remember here is that the State of Florida has very specific and strict regulations concerning Public restroom facilities associated with swimming pools. It is very important that the Owners, Architects, and Construction Companies responsible for the construction or operation of your facility incorporates these regulations into the design of the bathrooms designated for the use of the pool patrons. If you have an existing facility for which you are adding a pool, you can expect to be required to modify any existing bathrooms that you intend to designate as the Pool Bathrooms.
Yes. Florida Law makes no provision to exempt age restricted communities from this requirement. Although young children are not permitted to live in these communities, they are often allowed to visit and to use the pool.
For most, the answer is No. For some smaller facilities or communities unisex bathrooms may be permitted, but in addition to all the other requirements, they must have a Mens urinal, a Baby Changing Station, and the ability to lock the entrance door from the inside.