Swimming Pools & Spas in Santa Barbara County, CA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Barbara County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Pool Permits

In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, a building permit from the Planning & Development Building & Safety Division is required to construct or remodel a residential swimming pool or spa. The Building & Safety Division enforces the California Building and Residential Codes plus County amendments.

Santa Barbara County Pool Permits

Some Restrictions

CA Health & Safety Code § 115922, as adopted via Santa Barbara County Code Ch. 10 (CRC Appendix V)

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 prevention safety features...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Fencing & Safety Requirements

Pool barrier requirements in unincorporated Santa Barbara County come from California's Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code 115922-115923). An enclosure used to satisfy the law must be at least 60 inches high with no more than a 2-inch ground gap and a self-closing, self-latching gate.

Santa Barbara County Pool Fencing Requirements

Some Restrictions

California Health & Safety Code § 115923, as adopted via Santa Barbara County Code Ch. 10 (CBC/CRC Appendix V)

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... A minimum height of 60 inches... A maximum vertical clearance from the ground to the bottom of the enclosure of two inches... Gaps or voids, if any, do not allow passage of a sphere equal to or greater than four inches in di...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Swimming Pools & Spas by City in Santa Barbara County

1 cities in Santa Barbara County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

Santa MariaPop. 112,076

2 verified rules • Fencing & Safety Requirements, Pool Permits

All Santa Barbara County ordinances

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