Lakewood's Swimming Pools & Spas: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles swimming pools & spas a little differently. In Lakewood, California, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Fencing & Safety Requirements

Every Lakewood pool, pond, or other body of water 18 inches deep or more must sit behind a 5-foot fence with no gaps over 50 square inches, self-closing and self-latching gates set at least 4.5 feet high, and a Building Department permit before the pool or its enclosure is built.

Key details: Minimum fence height: 5 feet above ground. Max gap in fence: 50 square inches (4-inch max horizontal gap). Gate latch height: At least 4.5 feet, self-closing and self-latching. Trigger depth: 18 inches of water, above or below ground. Permit needed: Before building, enlarging, or altering pool or fence.

Failing to install or maintain the required five-foot pool enclosure, gaps over fifty square inches, or a gate without a working self-closing and self-latching device violates § 8010, enforced by the Building Department; § 8018 also bars raising the ground level next to an approved enclosure without a new permit. Denials or enforcement decisions can be appealed to the City Planning Commission within 15 days under § 8013, and Building Code violations otherwise carry the § 1200 misdemeanor penalty, a fine up to the state maximum or up to six months in jail, or both.

Pool Permits

Before Lakewood issues a building permit for a new residential pool or spa, or for remodeling an existing one, state law requires the pool carry at least two of seven listed drowning-prevention features. Cal. Health & Safety Code Section 115922 sets this standard statewide, and Lakewood's own Building Division enforces it, inspecting for the required features before granting final approval on the permit.

Key details: Governing law: Cal. Health & Safety Code Sec. 115922. Minimum features required: At least 2 of 7 listed features. Applies to: New pools/spas and remodels at single-family homes. Enforcing official: City's Building Division (local building code official). Exempt: Public pools, compliant spas, apartment complexes (Sec. 115925).

A pool built or remodeled without two qualifying features cannot pass its final inspection under Section 115922(c); the City withholds final approval until the deficiency is fixed. Because the state requirement is folded into the local building permit, failing to comply with it also fails a mandatory Municipal Code requirement. Under Municipal Code Section 1200, that is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to the state misdemeanor maximum, up to six months in jail, or both, with each continuing day charged separately.

The Bottom Line

Lakewood's swimming pools & spas rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Lakewood is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Lakewood can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, which shows when its source was last checked.