Modoc County, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Above-Ground Pools (2026)

Modoc County's zoning code does not single out above-ground pools; they are handled as residential accessory uses/structures of a one-family dwelling under Title 18 (for example, the accessory uses permitted with a dwelling under Section 18.100.010, and the recreational facilities expressly allowed in the Rural Residential zone under Section 18.30.030). For construction and safety, above-ground pools are governed by the same adopted building code as other pools: the 2022 California Building Standards Code, adopted with local amendments by Ordinance No. 221-J (effective August 1, 2024). Under the California Residential Code and the Swimming Pool Safety Act, a residential pool capable of holding water more than a defined depth (generally 18 inches) is subject to barrier requirements; for an above-ground pool, the pool wall itself can serve as part of the barrier when it meets the height standard, but ladders or steps must be removable, capable of being secured, or surrounded by a compliant barrier. Because the pool involves a pump and electrical equipment, an electrical permit and proper bonding/grounding are also required. Setbacks follow the general yard rules in Section 18.110.050 and the requirements of the underlying zone; no building or structure may encroach into a required yard. Owners on wells and septic systems should also check clearances from leach fields. Confirm the specific permit path for your pool model with the Modoc County Building and Safety Department in Alturas.