This report highlights trends from February 2019 to May 2025
Personal Flotation Device (PFD) required onboard
No, but federal regulation applies
*
Yes
PFD type
Wearable PFD
PFD wear required
Yes
No
*
Large boats (16 feet or more) require at least one throwable Type IV PFD onboard
Yes
No
No, but federal regulation applies
*
PFD wear required for personal watercraft
Yes
No
PFD wear required for towed watersports
Yes
No
PFD requirement for children
Yes
No
Age for mandatory PFD wear
Under 13 years
PFD type
U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable PFD
When should child wear PFD
Vessel is underway, onboard vessel, open deck
Applicable boat length
Less than 21 feet
Enforcement stated
Yes
No
Penalty
Not available
Federal regulation regarding PFDs required onboard apply. Bodies of water including Jennings Lake, the Upper Potomac River and white water portions of streams have their own PFD requirements. Children under 4 years of age must have additional safety features on their PFD. These extra precautions for infants, toddlers and young children must be designed to hold them securely, maintain buoyancy, and keep children accessible. These features include a strap that connects the front and the back of the PFD, an inflatable headrest or high collar, and a web handle.
N/A
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*All persons on board a pleasure vessel <21 feet between November 1st and May 1st must wear a PFD
*Federal regulation requires at least one wearable PFD to be available for every person onboard a recreational vessel. In the absence of a state PFD law for children, children under 13 years are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD when a recreational vessel is underway unless in an enclosed cabin or below deck.Federal Regulation on Personal Flotation Devices
Jurisdiction
Ordinance follows the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
Pool fencing height required in this jurisdiction
Jurisdiction requires that the fence fully isolates the pool (e.g., four-sided fencing)
Jurisdiction requires a self-closing and self-latching gate
Jurisdiction has enforcement and compliance regulations specific for pool fencing
Notes
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
The Department of Planning and Zoning is responsible for the administration and enforcement.
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
The designated Code Official may be responsible for enforcement.
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 6 feet / 72 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
Jurisdiction code follows ISPSC with modifications: Pool fence height should be at least or equal to 6 feet. The town building inspector, town administrator or any member of the police department has the right to inspect any private swimming pool to determine compliance. Penalty for defaulting is a fine of not less than $10 but no more than $100. Each additional day that the violation continues is a separate offense.
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 5 feet / 60 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
Jurisdiction code follows ISPSC with modifications: Pool fence height should be at least or equal to 5 feet. Non-compliance is a municipal infraction that is enforceable and punishable by a fine and/or penalty. The City of Gaithersburg Planning and Code Administration is responsible for enforcement.
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 6 feet / 72 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
Jurisdiction follows ISPSC with modifications: Jurisdiction requires four-sided pool fencing. Pool fence height should be at least or equal to 6 feet.
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 6 feet / 72 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
Jurisdiction follows ISPSC with modifications: Pool fence height should be at least or equal to 6 feet.
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
The city's code official is responsible for enforcement.
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
At least or equal to 4 feet/ 48 inches
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
No
Yes
Yes with modifications
Not available
