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

Merced County's Building Permit Guide reproduces the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code Sections 115921–115924), which governs barriers at private single-family homes. Where an enclosure is used as one of the drowning-prevention features, HSC 115923 requires: access gates that open away from the pool and are self-closing with a self-latching device placed no lower than 60 inches above the ground; a minimum enclosure height of 60 inches; a maximum vertical clearance from the ground to the bottom of the enclosure of two inches; gaps that do not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere; and an outside surface free of handholds or footholds that a child under five could climb. For public, apartment, HOA, and commercial pools, the County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health applies California Building Code Chapter 31B standards. Its Pool/Spa/Wading Pool Requirements document (Section 3119B) requires each pool and spa to be enclosed by a fence, wall, building portion, or enclosure at least 5 feet high measured from the outside; openings must not pass a 4-inch sphere; horizontal members must be at least 48 inches apart; and gates and doors must be self-closing and self-latching with the latch located 42–44 inches above the deck. Doors, openable windows, or gates of living quarters cannot serve as part of a public-pool enclosure.