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

Ontario enforces the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health and Safety Code sections 115920 through 115929) on all new residential pools and spas and on pools undergoing permitted remodels. The Act requires the owner to install at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention safety features. Features include an enclosure that isolates the pool from the home and is at least 60 inches tall with self-closing and self-latching gates, approved safety pool covers, exit alarms on doors leading to the pool, self-closing and self-latching devices on doors with a release at least 54 inches above the floor, a removable mesh fencing meeting ASTM F2286, and other equivalent systems approved by the Building Official. Gaps between vertical members in any barrier cannot exceed 4 inches. Openings under the barrier cannot exceed 2 inches. The enclosure must fully separate the pool from the dwelling unit. Failure to maintain required barriers is a Building Code violation and creates significant civil liability under California premises-liability law.