5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in San Bernardino County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated San Bernardino County, a Pool and Spa Permit from Land Use Services Building & Safety is required before constructing any pool or spa. Plans are reviewed for compliance with the California Building Codes and County Development Code. Applications are filed through the County's EZ Online Permitting portal.
Pools in unincorporated San Bernardino County must be surrounded by an enclosure at least 60 inches high with no more than 2 inches of clearance under the barrier, no gaps that pass a 4-inch sphere, and self-closing, self-latching gates that open away from the pool. Rules follow the California Swimming Pool Safety Act.
San Bernardino County Building & Safety Information Bulletin IB-0007, Adopted Standards, Section A (Enclosure Requirements)
The top of the enclosure shall be at least 60 inches above the grade measured on the side of the enclosure which faces away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance between the grade and the bottom of the enclosed fence/barrier shall be 2 inches. ... The enclosure must be free of gaps or voids which allow passage of a sphere equal to or greater than 4 inches in diameter.
Where a wall of the home serves as part of the pool barrier, unincorporated San Bernardino County requires at least one approved drowning-prevention safety feature under the California Swimming Pool Safety Act, such as a door exit alarm, a self-latching door device 54 inches high, or an ASTM F2208 pool alarm.
San Bernardino County Building & Safety Information Bulletin IB-0007, Section B (Drowning Prevention Safety Features)
A self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor on the private single-family home's doors providing direct access to the swimming pool or spa. ... An alarm that, when placed in a swimming pool or spa, will sound upon detection of accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water. The alarm shall meet and be independently certified to...
In unincorporated San Bernardino County, above-ground pools must meet the same barrier rules as in-ground pools unless the pool's own walls form a complying barrier at least 5 feet high. Where a ladder or steps provide access, they must be secured, locked, or removable, or be surrounded by a complying barrier.
San Bernardino County Building & Safety Information Bulletin IB-0007, Section C, Item 4 (Above-ground Pools)
Above-ground Pools: Enclosure requirements are the same for above-ground pools as are required for in-ground pools, unless the side walls of the above-ground pool form a complying barrier equivalent in height (5 feet high) and meet all the minimum enclosure requirements as described in the Section A above.
In unincorporated San Bernardino County, hot tubs and spas holding water over 18 inches deep are treated as pools and must meet the same barrier rules. An approved ASTM F1346-91 safety cover can substitute for an enclosure when combined with a drowning-prevention safety feature.
San Bernardino County Building & Safety Information Bulletin IB-0007, Definitions and Section A, Item 7
SWIMMING POOL or POOL: any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 18 inches deep. Swimming pool includes in-ground and above-ground structures and includes, but is not limited to, hot tubs, spas, portable spas, and non-portable wading pools. ... An approved safety pool cover as defined under DEFINITIONS above may substitute for the required pool enclosure.
8 cities in San Bernardino County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
5 verified rules • Above-Ground Pools, Fencing Requirements
5 verified rules • Above-Ground Pools, Fencing Requirements
5 verified rules • Above-Ground Pools, Fencing Requirements
5 verified rules • Above-Ground Pools, Fencing Requirements
5 verified rules • Above-Ground Pools, Fencing Requirements
5 verified rules • Above-Ground Pools, Fencing Requirements
5 verified rules • Above-Ground Pools, Fencing Requirements
5 verified rules • Above-Ground Pools, Fencing Requirements
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