Above-ground pools holding water more than 18 inches deep are 'swimming pools' under Cal. HSC §115921(a) and are treated the same as in-ground pools by the Chico Building Division. A building permit is required, the pool must comply with the California Building Code/California Residential Code, and at least two of the seven SB 442 drowning prevention features must be installed. The pool wall itself (if 60+ inches high) may satisfy the enclosure requirement, provided ladders are removable or secured.
HSC §115921(a) defines 'swimming pool' to include 'in-ground and aboveground structures' with water over 18 inches deep. Above-ground pools are not exempt from the Swimming Pool Safety Act, the California Building Code, or the California Electrical Code (Title 24 CCR), which Chico Building Division enforces. Permit applications should disclose pool size, fill capacity, wall height, ladder/step access, electrical bonding for pumps and lights, and the SB 442 safety features chosen. If the structural wall is 60 inches or higher and meets the §115923 design rules (no climbable features within reach, ladder removable or behind a self-latching gate), it can function as the isolation enclosure. Most inflatable pools deeper than 18 inches also fall within the statutory definition. Zoning setbacks for accessory structures under Chico Municipal Code Title 19 apply to pool equipment pads.
Installing an above-ground pool without a permit violates the California Building Code as adopted citywide. Failure to provide compliant SB 442 features bars final sign-off (HSC §115922(c)). Leaving a removable ladder accessible while no other safety feature is in place creates a non-compliant condition.
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