Pool Barriers: Reedley vs Selma

Pools and spas over 18 inches deep require barriers under the California Swimming Pool Safety Act. Enclosures must be 60 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching gates.

Selma enforces the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health and Safety Code Sections 115920 through 115929), which requires at least two approved drowning prevention safety features for all new or remodeled residential swimming pools and spas at private single-family homes. Pool barriers that serve as one of these required safety features must meet stringent physical specifications, including a minimum height of 60 inches, a maximum ground clearance of 2 inches, gaps no larger than 4 inches between slats or pickets, and an exterior surface free of protrusions or handholds that would enable a child under five years old to climb over. All pool barrier gates must be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch mechanism positioned at least 54 inches above the ground or otherwise designed to prevent operation by young children. The Selma Building Division inspects pool barriers as part of the final approval process for swimming pool construction permits, and pools that do not meet the barrier requirements will not receive final inspection approval. The Safety Act provides seven categories of approved drowning prevention features, giving property owners flexibility in how they achieve the mandatory two-feature minimum while maintaining the fundamental goal of preventing unsupervised child access to pool water.