Swimming Pools & Spas in Kern County, CA (2026)
2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Kern County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Pool Permits
A building permit from the Kern County Building Inspection Division is required before constructing any swimming pool, spa or hot tub in unincorporated Kern County. The County adopts the 2019 California Building, Residential and Plumbing Codes, and Appendix M of the adopted Plumbing Code (Kern County Code section 17.20.190) requires that the method of pool wastewater disposal be approved by the Administrative Authority before any work begins. Pre-gunite, electrical and final inspections are required.
Building permit required; plans, filtration & disposal review
Some RestrictionsKern County Code of Ordinances section 17.20.190 (Plumbing Code Appendix M, items M1 and M10)
M1. Swimming pool wastewater shall be disposed of as hereinafter set forth in this section and the type of disposal proposed shall be approved by the administrative authority prior to the commencement of any work. ... M10. Plans for other than private swimming pools shall be approved by the health officer before any water supply or waste discharge permit is issued.
Fencing & Safety Requirements
Unincorporated Kern County enforces the California Residential Code Appendix V and the state Swimming Pool Safety Act, which require pool enclosures at least 60 inches tall, with self-closing/self-latching gates that open away from the pool, and no more than 2 inches of ground clearance. The Kern County Residential Code is the 2019 CRC including Appendix V, adopted by reference under Kern County Code section 17.06.030.
60-inch pool enclosure required under adopted CRC App. V
Light RestrictionsKern County Code of Ordinances section 17.06.030 (Code of Building Regulations adopting 2019 CRC incl. Appendix V)
17.06.030 California Residential Code - Adopted. California Code of Regulations, Title 24 Part 2.5 being that portion of the 2019 edition of the California Building Standards Code, referred to as the California Residential Code, including Appendix Chapters H, K, and V, and as modified and amended by this chapter, is adopted by this reference into the Kern County Residential Code.
Swimming Pools & Spas by City in Kern County
2 cities in Kern County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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