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

Yuba County Code §10.40.030(5) defines a 'swimming pool' to include both in-ground and above-ground structures holding water over 18 inches deep, so an above-ground pool is subject to the same building-permit and drowning-prevention requirements as an in-ground pool. Section §10.40.040(10) addresses the common above-ground design: where the above-ground pool structure is used as an enclosure, or where the enclosure is mounted on top of the pool structure and the means of access is a ladder or steps, then 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 items (3) through (9) of §10.40.040. When the ladder or steps are secured, locked, or removed, any opening created must not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere. The pool wall must still meet the general enclosure characteristics — a minimum 60-inch effective height, a non-climbable surface free of handholds/footholds, and openings that do not pass a 4-inch sphere (§10.40.040(1),(4),(5)). Because an above-ground pool is a 'swimming pool' over 18 inches deep, it also needs a building permit (Chapter 10.05 / 10.40) and the anti-entrapment circulation drains of §10.40.046.