California Pool Fencing Required Under Swimming Pool Safety Act

California's Swimming Pool Safety Act applies uniformly to all single-family residential pools and spas constructed, installed, or substantially remodeled after January 1, 2018. Owners must include at least two of seven specified drowning prevention safety features, including an enclosure isolating the pool from the home, removable mesh fencing with a self-closing gate, an approved safety pool cover, exit alarms on doors leading to the pool, self-closing/self-latching devices on doors, alarms that sound when surface motion is detected, or other approved means meeting ASTM F2208. Local jurisdictions may add stricter standards but cannot fall below the state minimum, making the floor uniform statewide. Building inspections at final approval verify compliance.

Failure to install required safety features can block certificate of occupancy or final building inspection. Civil liability and negligence per se exposure follow drowning incidents in non-compliant pools. Permit revocation possible.