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Swimming Pools & Spas in Rialto, CA (2026)

5 verified swimming pools & spas rules for Rialto, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Pool Permits

Building a pool or spa in Rialto requires a building permit through the city's Online Permit Center, with plans that show compliance with the pool fencing chapter, and the pool cannot be filled until fences and gates pass inspection. State law adds that any new or remodeled residential pool must include at least two of seven drowning prevention safety features verified at final inspection.

Pool Building Permits and Pre-Plaster Inspections

Some Restrictions

California Health & Safety Code Section 115922 (Swimming Pool Safety Act)

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 preven...

Fencing Requirements

Rialto requires every swimming pool to be surrounded by a protective barrier fence or wall at least 60 inches (5 feet) high with self-closing, self-latching gates, and the barrier must be inspected and approved before the pool is plastered or filled with water. The rule covers in-ground, above-ground, portable, and collapsible pools, plus garden ponds, spas, hot tubs, wading pools, and fountains holding water over 18 inches deep.

Pool Barrier Fencing: 5-Foot Walls, Self-Latching Gates

Heavy Restrictions

City of Rialto Building & Safety, Swimming Pool/Spa and Hot Tub Fencing Requirements handout (Rev. 04-23-15)

The City of Rialto's pool fencing regulations require that all swimming pools be surrounded by a protective barrier fence or wall. This fence or wall may surround the pool itself or the entire premises. The barrier shall be installed, inspected and approved prior to plastering or filling with water. (Exception: Self-contained spas and hot tubs with listed locking safety covers will not require ...

Safety Rules

When a house wall forms part of the pool barrier in Rialto, every door with direct pool access needs either a self-latching device mounted at least 54 inches high or a UL 2017-listed alarm that sounds within 7 seconds. State law separately requires two of seven drowning prevention features on any newly permitted or remodeled residential pool.

Door Alarms and Two-of-Seven Safety Features

Some Restrictions

City of Rialto Building & Safety, Swimming Pool/Spa and Hot Tub Fencing Requirements handout (Rev. 04-23-15), Items 6-7

When a wall of a dwelling serves as part of the barrier, all doors within that wall having direct access to the swimming pool shall be equipped with either: A) Self-closing and self-latching devices with the release mechanism located a minimum of 54 inches above the floor; or B) An alarm that produces an audible warning when the door and/or its screen, if present, are opened. The alarm shall be...

Above-Ground Pools

Above-ground, portable, inflatable, and collapsible pools holding water over 18 inches deep are subject to the same 5-foot barrier fencing rules as in-ground pools in Rialto. The pool's own walls can serve as the barrier only if they are at least 5 feet high and meet all barrier standards, with ladders that lock, are removable, or are fenced.

Above-Ground and Portable Pools Need 5-Foot Barriers

Some Restrictions

City of Rialto Building & Safety, Swimming Pool/Spa and Hot Tub Fencing Requirements handout (Rev. 04-23-15), Item 8 and definition note

Fencing requirements are the same for above-ground pools as are required for other pools, unless the side walls of the pool form a complying barrier equivalent in height (5 feet high) and meet all the minimum requirements of a barrier fence as described in the aforementioned Items 1 through 7. Where an above-ground pool structure is used as a barrier or where the barrier is mounted on top of th...

Hot Tub Rules

Spas and hot tubs in Rialto fall under the same pool rules, but self-contained spas and hot tubs with listed locking safety covers are exempt from the barrier fencing requirement. Without a locking cover, the 5-foot barrier rules apply.

Hot Tubs: Locking Safety Cover or Full Barrier

Some Restrictions

City of Rialto Building & Safety, Swimming Pool/Spa and Hot Tub Fencing Requirements handout (Rev. 04-23-15)

The City of Rialto's pool fencing regulations require that all swimming pools be surrounded by a protective barrier fence or wall. This fence or wall may surround the pool itself or the entire premises. The barrier shall be installed, inspected and approved prior to plastering or filling with water. (Exception: Self-contained spas and hot tubs with listed locking safety covers will not require ...

Looking for San Bernardino County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rialto city rules.

Swimming Pools & Spas in San Bernardino County