Merced, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Local adoption
- Sec. 17.05.010, CRC Appendix CI 'Swimming Pool Safety Act'
- State statute
- Health & Safety Code Sec. 115922(a)
- Minimum features
- At least 2 of 7 drowning-prevention features required
- Fence option
- Removable mesh meeting ASTM F2286 plus self-latching gate
- Applies to
- New pool/spa construction or remodel at single-family homes
Summary
Merced adopts the California Residential Code's Appendix CI, the state Swimming Pool Safety Act, under Municipal Code Sec. 17.05.010. That act requires any new or remodeled residential pool or spa permitted in the city to carry at least two of seven drowning-prevention features, among them an isolation fence or self-latching gate, under Health and Safety Code Sec. 115922(a).
(a) Except as provided in Section 115925, subject to subdivision (b), and consistent with Section 1596.814, when a building permit is issued for the construction of a new swimming pool or spa or the remodeling of an existing swimming pool or spa at a private single-family home, the respective swimming pool or spa shall be equipped with at least two of the following seven drowning prevention safety features: (1) An enclosure that meets the requirements of Section 115923 and isolates the swimming pool or spa from the private single-family home. (2) Removable mesh fencing that meets the ASTM International F2286 standard in conjunction with a gate that is self-closing and self-latching.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
including ... Appendix ... CI, "Swimming Pool Safety Act"' as the city's Residential Building Code under Sec. 010. That appendix carries forward the state's Swimming Pool Safety Act, codified at Health and Safety Code Sec. 115922, which governs any private single-family home in Merced building or remodeling a pool or spa. ' The remaining five options substitute other engineered safeguards, such as a certified safety pool cover, door and window exit alarms, a self-latching release device mounted at least 54 inches above the floor, or a water-entry alarm meeting the ASTM F2208 standard, so an owner can pair a fence with a different feature rather than install two fences.
Because Sec. 010 requires the Residential Code appendix chapters to be used 'in their entirety' and approved by the building official, Merced's building official confirms which combination of features a specific pool permit satisfies before signing off.
Violations & Fines
A pool or spa permitted without at least two of the seven required drowning-prevention features does not qualify for the final building inspection the local building official signs off under the Residential Code adopted at Sec. 17.05.010. Building without a permit, or completing pool work that does not match the approved plan's safety features, is enforceable as a misdemeanor under Sec. 17.04.020's building-code violation penalty, punishable under Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Merced require a fence around every residential pool?
What kind of fence satisfies Merced's pool safety requirement?
Who checks that my new pool meets the safety feature requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Merced
California rules heatmap·Compare Merced to another location·View the California swimming pools & spas overview
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