6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Cruz County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Santa Cruz County, installing or altering a swimming pool, in-ground spa, or hot tub requires a building permit and engineered plans meeting current California codes and County Code Section 12.10.216. A spa or hot tub holding water over 18 inches deep is treated as a swimming pool.
Santa Cruz County Planning Dept. Policy RES-SWIM-02 citing SCCC § 12.10.216; Chapter 12.10 (Uniform Building Code Adopted)
On January 1, 2008, the new Swimming Pool Enclosure Ordinance (SPEO) revisions became effective. These revised requirements were fully incorporated into County Code and featured: increased barrier heights to 5 feet, pools defined as having 18 inch of depth or greater, and other requirements... Permanent pool barrier fencing and gates must be a minimum of 5 feet high and must be installed with a...
Santa Cruz County's Swimming Pool Enclosure Ordinance (SPEO), effective 1/1/08, requires single-family homes and duplexes in the unincorporated area with a pool, spa, or hot tub to have a barrier at least 60 inches high with restricted openings and self-closing, self-latching gates that swing away from the pool.
Santa Cruz County Planning Dept. Policy/Ordinance Interpretation RES-SWIM-02, citing SCCC § 12.10.216 (Swimming Pool Enclosure Ordinance)
Permanent pool barrier fencing and gates must be a minimum of 5 feet high and must be installed with a building permit. See SCCC section 12.10.216 and online brochures for specific details... On January 1, 2008, the new Swimming Pool Enclosure Ordinance (SPEO) revisions became effective. These revised requirements were fully incorporated into County Code and featured: increased barrier heights ...
Pool safety in unincorporated Santa Cruz County is governed by the County's Swimming Pool Enclosure Ordinance plus California codes. Requirements include anti-entrapment suction outlet fittings, dual hydraulically balanced drains, GFCI electrical protection, and barrier, alarm, or safety-cover features to prevent child access.
Above-ground pools in unincorporated Santa Cruz County are regulated under the same Swimming Pool Enclosure Ordinance as in-ground pools. The pool's top edge (or a barrier mounted on it) must be at least 48 inches above ground on all sides, with a securable, lockable, or removable ladder, or a compliant surrounding barrier.
In unincorporated Santa Cruz County, a spa or hot tub holding water over 18 inches deep is defined as a swimming pool requiring a building permit. A separate spa or hot tub not inside a compliant pool enclosure must have a lockable, fully functioning safety cover under the County's Swimming Pool Enclosure Ordinance.
1 cities in Santa Cruz County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Santa Cruz County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Santa Cruz County Ordinance Hub →