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

Bellflower sets its own pool-barrier rule in Chapter 15.20, Standards for Enclosing Pools and Bodies of Water. The chapter requires every person who owns or possesses premises containing a swimming pool, fish pond, wading pool or other outside body of water created by artificial means and designed for swimming or immersion - any portion of which is two feet deep or more - to maintain a fence, wall or other structure not less than five feet in height. The barrier may have no openings, except doors or gates, with an area greater than 50 square inches. All gates or doors opening through the fence or structure must be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices not less than four feet above grade, capable of keeping the gate or door securely closed at all times when not in actual use. This five-foot enclosure is a stricter, city-specific minimum than the general statewide rule. In addition, for new and remodeled pools the city enforces California's Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health and Safety Code Section 115922), which requires at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention features - such as an isolation enclosure, ASTM-compliant removable mesh fencing with a self-latching gate, an approved safety cover, or door and pool alarms - inspected by the city building official before final approval. The SF zone (Chapter 17.16) also bars chain-link fencing in the front and street-side yards, which affects where a perimeter pool fence can run.