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

Mendocino County applies the California Residential Code swimming-pool barrier provisions (Section 710A / the Swimming Pool Safety Act appendix) through Title 18 of its County Code. An outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, or spa shall be provided with a barrier that, once installed, is inspected by a Mendocino County building inspector and approved prior to the pool being filled with water. The barrier must have its top at least 60 inches above grade measured on the side facing away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier is two inches; this may be increased to four inches where the grade is a solid surface impenetrable by a small child, such as a concrete deck. Access gates through the barrier must be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch placed so young children cannot reach it, and gates must open away from the pool. These barrier rules are state Residential Code standards enforced locally; the County itself does not impose stricter numeric requirements. Note that ordinary boundary fences not over 7 feet high are generally exempt from a separate building permit, but a pool barrier is still subject to the Section 710A safety standards even when permit-exempt.