Arcadia, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

Section 8530.1 makes every person in possession of land with a pool, spa or hot tub, whether owner, purchaser under contract, lessee, tenant or licensee, responsible for maintaining a safety barrier completely surrounding it at all times. Public pools follow Chapter 31B, Division 1 of the California Building Code instead. The dimensional rules sit in Section 3109.3, added by § 8530.4.

The top of the barrier is at least sixty (60) inches above finished grade, measured on the side facing away from the pool, and the maximum vertical clearance under the barrier is two (2) inches (3109.3.1). Openings do not allow the passage of a four- (4) inch diameter sphere (3109.3.2), and solid walls carry no indentations or protrusions except tooled masonry joints (3109.3.3).

Where horizontal members are less than 45 inches apart, they sit on the pool side and vertical members are spaced no more than 1-¾ inches apart (3109.3.4). At 45 inches or more, the four-inch sphere test applies, and decorative cutouts within vertical members cannot exceed ¾ inches in width (3109.3.5). Chain link has a maximum mesh size of 1-¼ inch square unless slats reduce the openings to no more than 1-¾ inches, in fabric not less than 11-gauge, and solid or dense landscaping cannot be used to meet the requirements (3109.3.6). Lattice openings are not more than 1-¾ inches (3109.3.7).

Access gates equip a locking device, open outward, close and latch themselves, and are never built across a driveway; double gates and motor operated gates are not allowed. Each gate carries a weather-proof, durable sign with letters at least ½ inch high reading "POOL AREA KEEP GATE CLOSED" (3109.3.8). Where a building wall forms part of the barrier, doors and windows with direct access carry an alarm that sounds continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds, with a deactivation lasting no more than 15 seconds and a switch at least 54 inches above the floor, or doors carry self-closing and self-latching devices with the release a minimum 54" above grade (3109.3.9). Pools permitted before June 19, 1992 keep a barrier not less than four (4) feet high with the latch release not less than forty-eight (48) inches above grade (3109.3.12).