Above-ground pools in unincorporated LA County holding 3,000+ gallons require a building permit from LA County Building & Safety. All barrier requirements (60-inch fencing, self-closing gates) apply equally. Smaller inflatable pools may be exempt from permits but not safety requirements.
Above-ground pools in unincorporated LA County holding 3,000+ gallons or deeper than 24 inches require a building permit from Building & Safety. Smaller inflatable or temporary pools (under 3,000 gallons and 24 inches deep) are generally exempt from permits but still require safety barriers if a child could access the water. All above-ground pools must comply with the same barrier requirements as in-ground pools under the CA Swimming Pool Safety Act (HSC 115920-115929). Electrical connections must be permitted and inspected. Pools must not discharge water onto neighboring properties or into storm drains.
Installing a pool over 3,000 gallons without a permit carries standard building code violations with double retroactive permit fees. Inadequate safety barriers around any pool result in fines of $250-$1,000 per day. Illegal electrical connections create fire and electrocution hazards with serious code violations. Draining pool water into storm drains violates environmental regulations with fines of $1,000+.
Altadena, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle above-ground pools.
See how Altadena's above-ground pools rules stack up against other locations.
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