Fencing Requirements: Fullerton vs Midway City
How do fencing requirements rules compare between Fullerton, CA and Midway City, CA?
Fullerton and Midway City have similar restriction levels.
Fullerton, CA
Orange County
Fullerton has locally amended California's Swimming Pool Safety Act through FMC 14.04.150 and 14.04.160, requiring every new or remodeled single-family pool or spa to have a 60-inch isolation enclosure (mandatory) PLUS at least one additional drowning-prevention feature - a stricter standard than the state default, which only requires any two of seven features.
View full Fullerton rules →Midway City, CA
Orange County
Pools and spas in unincorporated Orange County must be completely enclosed by fencing at least 5 feet high with no openings greater than 4 inches. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching, swing outward, and have the latch a minimum of 5 feet high.
View full Midway City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fullerton | Midway City |
|---|---|---|
| Governing law | FMC 14.04.150 & 14.04.160; California HSC 115920-115929 | - |
| Fullerton departure from state law | Isolation enclosure is mandatory; only one additional feature can be substituted | - |
| Minimum barrier height | 60 inches (5 feet) | - |
| Maximum ground clearance | 2 inches under barrier | - |
| Maximum opening size | Less than 4 inches (no 4-inch sphere passage) | - |
| Gate requirement | Self-closing, self-latching, opens away from pool, latch at least 60 inches above ground | - |
| Walking path | Minimum 3-foot-wide path between barrier and water | - |
| Door protection on house walls | Required where wall completes enclosure; cannot also count as second feature | - |
| Enforcement | Fullerton Building & Safety (714) 738-6856; Code Enforcement (714) 738-6553 | - |
| Minimum fence height | - | 5 feet (county note sheet); 60 inches under HSC 115923 |
| Maximum opening/gap | - | 4 inches |
| Gates | - | Self-closing, self-latching, swing outward, latch min. 5 ft high |
| Structure wall doors | - | Exit alarm OR self-closing/self-latching device min. 54 in above floor |
| Glazing | - | Tempered glazing required within 5 ft of water edge |
| State standard | - | CA Health & Safety Code 115923 (Swimming Pool Safety Act) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fullerton FAQ
Does Fullerton follow California's two-of-seven pool safety rule?
No - Fullerton is stricter. FMC 14.04.150 amends HSC 115922(a) so an isolation enclosure meeting HSC 115923 is mandatory, and you must add at least one additional drowning-prevention feature. The state default lets owners pick any two; Fullerton effectively requires the fence plus a second.
Can I use my house wall as part of the pool fence?
Yes, but any door openings in walls used to complete the isolation enclosure must have either an exit alarm or a self-closing, self-latching device, and FMC 14.04.150 specifies that this door protection cannot also be counted as your second drowning-prevention feature.
What about spas and hot tubs?
In-ground and above-ground spas more than 18 inches deep are 'swimming pools' under HSC 115921 and subject to FMC 14.04.150. Hot tubs and spas with a locking ASTM F1346-compliant safety cover are exempt under HSC 115925.
Midway City FAQ
How tall does a pool fence have to be in unincorporated Orange County?
The OC Public Works note sheet requires a minimum 5-foot-high enclosure with openings no greater than 4 inches. This is consistent with California Health & Safety Code Section 115923, which sets a 60-inch minimum enclosure height with a self-latching gate latch placed no lower than 60 inches.
What if my house wall is part of the pool enclosure?
Any door in a residential or accessory structure wall that forms part of the enclosure must have an exit alarm, or a self-closing and self-latching device installed at least 54 inches above the floor, so the door cannot serve as an unguarded entry to the pool area.
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