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

Tustin's Building Code amendment at City Code § 8102(i) requires that when a building permit is issued for a new or remodeled swimming pool or spa at a private single-family home, the pool must be equipped with at least one enclosure-type feature plus at least one additional drowning-prevention feature from a list of seven. The first qualifying option is an enclosure that isolates the pool from the home. The second is removable mesh pool fencing meeting ASTM F2286, paired with a self-closing, self-latching gate that can take a key-lockable device, with the mesh set back at least 20 inches from the water's edge.

Another qualifying feature is a self-closing, self-latching door release mounted no lower than 54 inches above the floor on doors giving direct access to the pool. The remaining options include an approved safety pool cover, exit alarms on doors leading to the pool, a submersion-detection pool alarm certified to ASTM F2208, or another device independently verified to give equal or greater protection. Before final approval of the permitted pool work, the local building code official must inspect the installed drowning-prevention devices, and the City gives final approval only if no violations are found.

The requirement does not apply to public swimming pools or to any pool at an apartment complex or other residential setting besides a single-family home, so it is a single-family-home rule rather than a citywide fencing mandate for every pool in Tustin.