California Health & Safety Code §115920 (Swimming Pool Safety Act) requires all residential pools and spas to have a minimum 60-inch (5-foot) barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates. Oakland enforces the state standard plus two additional safety features from a prescribed list.
The California Pool Safety Act requires pools/spas over 18 inches deep to have an enclosure at least 60 inches tall with no gaps larger than 4 inches, non-climbable exterior, and gates that are self-closing and self-latching with latches 54 inches above ground. Since 2018, new pools must have at least two of seven approved safety features: enclosure, removable mesh fencing + gate, pool cover, exit alarms on house doors, self-closing/self-latching door devices, pool alarm, or other approved means. Oakland requires barrier compliance at final inspection for all new pool permits, and upon property sale home inspectors must note compliance status.
Non-compliant barriers block permit finalization and create significant civil liability if a drowning occurs. Property sale inspections flag deficiencies. Building Division will not sign off construction until barrier compliance verified.
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