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

Per the City of Buena Park Building Division pool handout, an outdoor swimming pool, spa, or hot tub (in-ground, above-ground, or on-ground) must be surrounded by a barrier where the top is at least sixty (60) inches above grade measured on the side facing away from the pool. Maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier is two (2) inches on the outside; where mounted on an above-ground pool structure, that clearance may be four (4) inches. Openings must not allow a four-inch (4") sphere to pass. Solid masonry barriers cannot have indentations except tooled joints. For barriers with horizontal members less than 45 inches apart, the horizontals must face the pool side and vertical spacing cannot exceed 1-3/4"; where horizontals are 45 inches or more apart, vertical spacing may be up to 4" (decorative cutouts limited to 3/4"). Chain-link mesh is capped at 1-1/4" square unless slatted. Pedestrian gates must open outward away from the pool, be self-closing and self-latching, and accommodate a locking device; if the latch release is below 54 inches, it must sit on the pool side at least 3 inches below the gate top with no opening over 1/2" within 18 inches of the release. The handout cites California Building Code Section 3109 for complete requirements. Note the pool barrier (60") differs from a typical residential property fence and must sit where zoning allows that height.