Tulare County, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum barrier height
- 60 inches above grade
- Max gap under barrier
- 2 inches to grade
- Max opening
- No 4-inch sphere may pass
- Gate rule
- Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward
- Timing
- Barrier finished before plaster inspection
- Penalty
- Infraction under § 125
Summary
Every outdoor residential swimming pool in unincorporated Tulare County must be surrounded by a barrier at least 60 inches tall with no opening larger than a 4-inch sphere, under Ordinance Code § 7-15-1630. Access gates must swing away from the pool and be self-closing and self-latching under § 7-15-1632.
The top of the barrier shall be at least 60 inches above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be 2 inches measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. ... Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch diameter sphere. ... Pedestrian-access gates shall open outward away from the pool and shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device. Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than 54 inches from the ground: (1) The release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate at least 3 inches below the top of the gate; and (2) The gate and barrier shall have no opening greater than 1/2 inch within 18 inches of the release mechanism.
Full Breakdown
Article 12 of Chapter 15 requires every outdoor swimming pool tied to a Group R Occupancy property to be totally surrounded by a barrier before the pool is plastered or filled with water, under § 7-15-1612. Section 7-15-1630 sets the construction standards: the barrier's top must be at least 60 inches above grade on the side facing away from the pool, with a maximum 2-inch vertical clearance to grade (4 inches if mounted on an above-ground pool structure); it must resist at least 10 pounds per lineal foot; and no opening may allow passage of a 4-inch diameter sphere.
Vertical member spacing is capped at 2 inches where horizontal rail spacing is under 45 inches, widening to 4 inches otherwise; chain-link mesh is capped at 2-inch squares of at least 13 gauge wire unless slatted down to 2 inches. Barriers must be finished before the plaster inspection. Section 7-15-1632 governs gates: pedestrian access gates must open outward, away from the pool, and be self-closing with a self-latching device; where the release mechanism sits below 54 inches it must be mounted on the pool side at least 3 inches below the gate top, with no gap over 1/2 inch within 18 inches of it.
The walls of the dwelling itself may serve as part of the barrier under § 7-15-1631. Indoor pools, above-ground portable pools, irrigation ponds and dairy sumps, pre-1997 pools maintained since, and spas with locking ASTM-compliant safety covers are exempt under § 7-15-1613.
Violations & Fines
Failing to install or maintain a compliant barrier around an outdoor swimming pool is an infraction under § 7-15-1645, punishable as provided in § 125 of the Ordinance Code, with each day the pool remains unbarricaded charged as a separate offense against the property owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall must a pool barrier be in Tulare County?
Does the pool gate need to close itself?
Are any pools exempt from the barrier rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tulare County
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