Palo Alto, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Enclosure height
- 60 inches minimum
- Safety features
- Two required
- Gate
- Self-closing, outward
- Statute
- H and S 115922
- Gap at ground
- 2 inch max
Summary
Palo Alto enforces California Health and Safety Code 115922, requiring at least two drowning-prevention safety features such as an enclosure at least 60 inches high.
115922. (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 and can accommodate a key lockable device.
Full Breakdown
Under California Health and Safety Code 115920 through 115925, known as the Swimming Pool Safety Act, every new pool or spa installed at a private single-family home in Palo Alto must have at least two approved drowning-prevention safety features. The most common combination is an enclosure that completely surrounds the pool and is at least 60 inches high, with self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward away from the pool, along with a second feature such as an approved pool cover, alarms on doors leading from the residence to the pool, self-closing self-latching devices on dwelling access doors, or a removable mesh fence meeting ASTM F2286. Gaps under the fence cannot exceed 2 inches and vertical openings cannot exceed 4 inches. Existing pools remodeled in specified ways trigger the same requirements. Palo Alto Building inspects at final.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my existing pool need a 60 inch fence?
Is a pool cover by itself enough?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palo Alto
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