5 rules for unincorporated Imperial County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Imperial County, a private residential pool, spa or hot tub over two feet deep is a regulated structure under Title 9 and the adopted California Residential Code. Plans go through Planning & Development Services (Building Division); only public pools also require an Environmental Health permit.
Imperial County Title 9, Division 10 requires every swimming pool in the unincorporated area to be enclosed by a wall, fence or other structure at least five (5) feet high, with self-closing, self-latching gates whose latches sit at least five feet above ground and that are kept closed and latched at all times.
Beyond the five-foot enclosure, Imperial County requires pools to meet the County-adopted California Residential Code Appendix V (Swimming Pool Safety Act) and California Electrical Code equipotential bonding rules. The state Pool Safety Act requires at least two of seven drowning-prevention features at permit time.
Imperial County Title 9 makes no separate exemption for above-ground pools. Any above-ground pool, on-ground pool or fixed wading pool over two feet deep is a regulated swimming pool subject to the same setbacks, five-foot enclosure, and adopted-code safety rules as in-ground pools.
Imperial County treats hot tubs and spas as swimming pools. Under Title 9, Division 10, any hot tub or spa over two feet deep is a regulated pool that must meet the five-foot enclosure, self-latching gate, adopted-code safety, and zoning setback rules — though a code-compliant safety cover is an accepted alternative.
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