Mead Valley, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Above-Ground Pools (2026)

Ordinance 421, Section 2 defines 'swimming pool' to include in-ground, aboveground, and on-ground swimming pools (and fixed-in-place wading pools) that are 18 inches or more in depth, regardless of whether water is present; 'above ground or on-ground pool' is cross-referenced to that definition. As a result, an above-ground pool 18 inches or deeper triggers the same barrier requirements as any other pool and is subject to County Building & Safety permitting under the adopted 2025 CRC. Section 3.1.7 addresses the common above-ground configuration where the pool's own structure acts as the barrier or the barrier is mounted on top of the pool: where the means of access is a ladder or steps, either (1) the ladder or steps must be capable of being secured, locked, or removed to prevent access, or (2) the ladder or steps must be surrounded by a barrier meeting Sections 3.1.1 through 3.1.6. When the ladder or steps are secured, locked, or removed, any opening created must still be protected by a compliant barrier. The barrier handout notes the 2-inch maximum bottom clearance may be increased to 4 inches when the barrier is mounted on top of an above-ground pool structure.