5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in San Mateo County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated San Mateo County, building a swimming pool or spa requires a building permit and a boundary survey from the Planning and Building Department. Applicants submit plot plans, structural/plumbing/electrical and mechanical details, engineering and energy calculations, and pay building, plan-check and related fees.
Cal. Health & Safety Code Sec. 115922 (Swimming Pool Safety Act - Drowning Prevention Features)
115922. (a) Except as provided in Section 115925, subject to subdivision (b), and consistent with Section 1596.814, when a building permit is issued for the construction of a new swimming pool or spa or the remodeling of an existing swimming pool or spa at a private single-family home, the respective swimming pool or spa shall be equipped with at least two of the following seven drowning preven...
Unincorporated San Mateo County follows California's Swimming Pool Safety Act for pool barriers. A qualifying enclosure must be at least 60 inches high, leave no more than a 2-inch gap at the bottom, block a 4-inch sphere, and have self-closing, self-latching gates that open away from the pool with the latch at least 60 inches high.
California Health and Safety Code ยง 115923 (Swimming Pool Safety Act)
115923. An enclosure shall have all of the following characteristics: (a) Any access gates through the enclosure open away from the swimming pool, and are self-closing with a self-latching device placed no lower than 60 inches above the ground. (b) A minimum height of 60 inches. (c) A maximum vertical clearance from the ground to the bottom of the enclosure of two inches. (d) Gaps or voids, if ...
When the County issues a building permit for a new or remodeled pool or spa at a single-family home, California's Swimming Pool Safety Act requires at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention features, plus anti-entrapment drain protection. The County applies these state standards through its adopted building codes.
California Health and Safety Code ยง 115922 (Swimming Pool Safety Act)
115922. (a) Except as provided in Section 115925, subject to subdivision (b), and consistent with Section 1596.814, when a building permit is issued for the construction of a new swimming pool or spa or the remodeling of an existing swimming pool or spa at a private single-family home, the respective swimming pool or spa shall be equipped with at least two of the following seven drowning preven...
Above-ground pools in unincorporated San Mateo County are treated like other swimming pools: they require a County building permit and survey, and they must meet California's Swimming Pool Safety Act barrier and safety-feature requirements before use.
California Health and Safety Code ยง 115921 (Swimming Pool Safety Act)
115921. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings: (a) โSwimming poolโ or โpoolโ means any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 18 inches deep. โSwimming poolโ includes in-ground and aboveground structures and includes, but is not limited to, hot tubs, spas, portable spas, and nonportable wading pools. (b) โPublic swimmi...
Spas and hot tubs in unincorporated San Mateo County require a County pool/spa building permit and are subject to California's Swimming Pool Safety Act. A spa equipped with an approved safety cover (ASTM F1346) can satisfy the barrier requirement that otherwise applies to pools.
California Health and Safety Code ยง 115921 (Swimming Pool Safety Act)
115921. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings: (a) โSwimming poolโ or โpoolโ means any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 18 inches deep. โSwimming poolโ includes in-ground and aboveground structures and includes, but is not limited to, hot tubs, spas, portable spas, and nonportable wading pools. (b) โPublic swimmi...
4 cities in San Mateo County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
5 verified rules โข Above-Ground Pools, Fencing Requirements
5 verified rules โข Above-Ground Pools, Fencing Requirements
3 verified rules โข Above-Ground Pools, Fencing Requirements
3 verified rules โข Above-Ground Pools, Fencing Requirements
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