5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Sutter County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Building a swimming pool or spa in unincorporated Sutter County requires a building permit from the Development Services Department. A pool is any structure holding water over 18 inches deep, and the required drowning-prevention barriers must be in place before final inspection and use.
California Building Code Section 105.1, as enforced by Sutter County Development Services
BUILDING PERMITS REQUIRED. Section 105.1 of the California Building Code which states: "Any owner/authorized agent or contractor who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which...
Under Sutter County Ordinance No. 1350-20, pool enclosure fences must be at least 60 inches tall, with no more than a 2-inch ground gap and openings that will not pass a 4-inch sphere. Gates must open away from the pool and be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch at least 60 inches high.
Sutter County Development Services Department, Swimming Pool Barrier Requirements (per Sutter County Ordinance No. 1350-20)
Minimum fence height shall be 60 inches above the ground. The opening between the ground and bottom of the fence shall not be more than 2 inches. Access gates shall open away from the swimming pool and shall be self-closing and self-latching, with the latching device a minimum of 60 inches above the ground.
Because Sutter County issues pool building permits, new and remodeled pools must comply with the California Swimming Pool Safety Act drowning-prevention features. State law requires at least two of seven listed safety features, and the County implements these through Ordinance No. 1350-20 and its barrier handout.
Cal. Health and Safety Code Section 115922
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 holding water deeper than 18 inches are regulated the same as in-ground pools in unincorporated Sutter County. They require a building permit and must meet the County's barrier standards under Ordinance No. 1350-20 and the California Swimming Pool Safety Act.
Sutter County Building Permits Required handout (Cal. Building Code Section 105.1)
ITEMS EXEMPT FROM BUILDING PERMITS ... 7. Above ground pools less than 5,000 gallons and 24 inches deep ... EXAMPLES OF ITEMS REQUIRING A BUILDING PERMIT ... 5. New electrical wiring, plumbing, and mechanical.
Spas and hot tubs are treated as pools in unincorporated Sutter County when they hold water over 18 inches deep, so they generally require a permit and barrier protection under Ordinance No. 1350-20. A spa or hot tub equipped with an approved listed locking safety cover may satisfy the barrier requirement in place of a fence.
Cal. Health and Safety Code Sections 115921(a), 115925
115921. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings: (a) "Swimming pool" or "pool" means any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 18 inches deep. "Swimming pool" includes in-ground and aboveground structures and includes, but is not limited to, hot tubs, spas, portable spas, and nonportable wading pools. ... 115925. The re...
1 cities in Sutter County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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