Concord Development Code 18.150.160 treats above-ground pools the same as in-ground pools: a 5-foot setback from side and rear property lines (water's edge), no front-yard placement, walled or fenced enclosure per the Uniform Swimming Pool Code, and pool equipment under 6 feet tall. California's Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code 115921 et seq., as amended by SB 442) requires at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention features for new or remodeled residential pools.
Concord Municipal Code Section 18.150.160 (General Development Standards) governs pool placement and security: "Swimming pools, hot tubs, spas and related pool equipment shall be set back a minimum of five feet from side and rear property lines to the water's edge and shall not be located within a front setback," and "Pool equipment shall be less than six feet in height." The same section requires that "Swimming pools shall be walled or fenced to prevent access from the street or from adjacent properties. All fencing shall comply with the requirements of the Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Code." These standards apply equally to above-ground and in-ground pools; an above-ground pool wall does not by itself satisfy the access-prevention rule unless its design meets enclosure standards. A building permit is required through the Concord Permit Center (925-671-3454); residential pools follow the SR-RPOOL submittal checklist and are reviewed under the current California Building Standards Code. State law layered on top: California Health and Safety Code Sections 115921 to 115929 (the Swimming Pool Safety Act, expanded by SB 442 effective January 1, 2018) requires new or remodeled residential pools at single-family homes to include at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention features, including a compliant enclosure at least 60 inches tall, removable mesh fencing, an approved safety pool cover, exit alarms on doors leading to the pool area, self-closing and self-latching doors, alarms, or other features defined in Section 115922. Home inspectors must note in transaction reports which features are present at sale. Pools on single-family lots in Concord are restricted to personal use and may not be leased commercially.
Building or installing an above-ground pool without a permit, inside the front setback, within five feet of a side or rear line, or without a compliant enclosure can trigger code enforcement, stop-work orders, retroactive permitting, and required removal. Failure to provide two SB 442 safety features at a new or remodeled pool can block final inspection and create civil liability if drowning occurs.
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