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

Mono County's General Plan zoning regulations address where a pool may sit but not the safety barrier itself. Section 04.120(7)(e) provides: 'Pools, spas and hot tubs may not be located closer than 5 feet from any side or rear lot line, nor shall they encroach into any easements,' and on corner lots 'no pool shall be located closer than 10 feet to the lot line abutting the side street.' General fence height limits in the zoning code allow fences up to 7 feet, but no higher than 4 feet in a required front yard (Section 04.160). Because the County publishes no pool-specific barrier ordinance, the controlling standard for new residential pools is California's Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code 115922-115928), enforced through the building permit. Under the Act, a new pool must have at least one approved drowning-prevention safety feature, such as an enclosure (fence) with a minimum height of 60 inches, a maximum 2-inch ground clearance, gaps that block a 4-inch sphere, no exterior handholds/footholds a young child could climb, and gates that open away from the pool and are self-closing and self-latching with the latch placed high. Alternative approved features include ASTM-compliant safety covers, exit alarms on doors, and pool alarms.