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

Lakewood Municipal Code § 8010 requires anyone possessing land with a swimming pool, fish pond, or other body of water 18 inches deep or more, above or below ground, to erect and maintain a fence or solid structure at least five feet high completely surrounding the pool or the property containing it, with no opening larger than fifty square inches except that a rectangular opening with no horizontal dimension over four inches is allowed. 25 inches in diameter, and masonry fences on a footing at least 12 inches wide and six inches thick.

Gates and doors must meet the same height and durability standard and carry fully operating self-closing and self-latching devices mounted at least four and a half feet above the ground, strong enough to automatically close and engage the latch every time, and cannot be double doors or gate pairs unless the Chief Building Official approves the design. Garage doors and driveway gates cannot serve as part of the required enclosure, though doors leading directly from the dwelling into the pool area are exempt from the self-closing and self-latching requirement.

Section 8012 requires a Building Department permit before anyone builds, enlarges, relocates, or structurally alters a pool or its required fence, and the Department can grant modest modifications to fence height or latch placement for good cause. Section 8016 allows an 'in-lieu' program of continuous adult observation or an approved pool cover instead of the fence, subject to Building Department or Planning Commission approval, and § 8017 exempts publicly owned bodies of water where the City finds the public is otherwise adequately protected.