Swimming Pools & Spas in Daly City, CA (2026)
5 verified swimming pools & spas rules for Daly City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pool Permits
Constructing, altering, or removing a swimming pool or permanent spa in Daly City requires a building permit from the Building Division under the California Building Code as adopted by Municipal Code Title 15; small prefabricated above-ground pools are the main exemption.
Building Permit Required for Pool or Spa Construction
Some RestrictionsCity of Daly City, Is a Permit Required? (CBC Sec. 105.1 as adopted by DCMC Title 15)
According to the California Building Code, as adopted by the City of Daly City, a permit is required to undertake any of the following actions regarding any building or structure in Daly City: Alter, Construct, Convert, Demolish, Enlarge, Erect, Improve, Move, Remove, Repair.
Fencing Requirements
Daly City enforces the California Swimming Pool Safety Act through its building permit process: any new or remodeled residential pool or spa must include at least two of seven drowning-prevention safety features, most commonly a 60-inch isolation enclosure with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
Pool Safety Barriers: 60-Inch Enclosure Standard
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Health and Safety Code Sec. 115923
An enclosure shall have all of the following characteristics: (a) Any access gates through the enclosure open away from the swimming pool, and are self-closing with a self-latching device placed no lower than 60 inches above the ground. (b) A minimum height of 60 inches. (c) A maximum vertical clearance from the ground to the bottom of the enclosure of two inches. (d) Gaps or voids, if any, do ...
Safety Rules
Under California Health & Safety Code §115922 (Swimming Pool Safety Act / SB 442), every new or remodeled swimming pool or spa at a private single-family home in Daly City must be equipped with AT LEAST TWO of seven approved drowning prevention safety features. Daly City Building Division verifies compliance at final inspection. The required features include: a HSC §115923-compliant enclosure, ASTM F2286 removable mesh fencing, an ASTM F1346-23 safety pool cover, exit alarms on doors/windows providing pool access, self-closing/self-latching devices on access doors (release at 54+ inches), an ASTM F2208 water-entry alarm, or other approved equivalent protection.
SB 442 Drowning Prevention Safety Features
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Health and Safety Code Section 115922
(a) Except as provided in Section 115925, subject to subdivision (b), and consistent with Section 1596.814, when a building permit is issued for the construction of a new swimming pool or spa or the remodeling of an existing swimming pool or spa at a private single-family home, the respective swimming pool or spa shall be equipped with at least two of the following seven drowning prevention saf...
Above-Ground Pools
Prefabricated above-ground pools at single-family homes that are less than 24 inches deep and hold no more than 5,000 gallons do not need a Daly City building permit, but any pool containing water over 18 inches deep is still covered by California pool-safety law.
Small Prefab Above-Ground Pools Exempt from Permits
Some RestrictionsCal. Health and Safety Code Sec. 115921(a)
"Swimming pool" or "pool" means any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 18 inches deep. "Swimming pool" includes in-ground and aboveground structures and includes, but is not limited to, hot tubs, spas, portable spas, and nonportable wading pools.
Hot Tub Rules
Permanently installed hot tubs and spas in Daly City need permits like pools, but California law exempts hot tubs and spas with locking ASTM F1346 safety covers from the drowning-prevention barrier requirements that otherwise apply to residential pools.
Hot Tubs and Spas: Permits and Cover Exemption
Some RestrictionsCal. Health and Safety Code Sec. 115925
The requirements of this article do not apply to any of the following: (a) Public swimming pools. (b) Hot tubs or spas with locking safety covers that comply with the ASTM International F1346 standard. (c) An apartment complex, or any residential setting other than a single-family home.
Looking for San Mateo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Daly City city rules.
Swimming Pools & Spas in San Mateo County →