Ventura's pool barrier policy (handout BS 316) is patterned on California Building Code §3109.4 and implements Cal. Health & Safety Code §§115920–115925 (the Swimming Pool Safety Act, as amended by SB 442). An outdoor 'barrier fence' enclosing the pool must be a minimum of 60 inches (5 ft) high; the maximum vertical clearance from grade to the bottom of the enclosure is 2 inches; any gap or void may not exceed 4 inches; and the outside surface must be free of handholds or footholds. Spacing between vertical members may not exceed 1¾ inches where the horizontal members are closer than 45 inches apart, or 4 inches where they are 45 inches or more apart. Gates must open outward, away from the pool, and be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch release at least 60 inches above grade (or, if mounted lower, on the pool side at least 3 inches below the top of the gate with no openings larger than ½ inch within 18 inches of the release).
Per City handout BS 316, the City's outdoor barrier requirements include: (1) where horizontal members are LESS than 45 inches apart, those horizontal members must be located on the pool side of the fence; vertical-member spacing ≤1¾ inches; decorative cutouts ≤1¾ inches; (2) where horizontal members are 45 inches OR MORE apart, vertical-member spacing ≤4 inches and decorative cutouts ≤1¾ inches; (3) chain-link mesh ≤2¼ inch square, unless slats reduce openings to ≤1¾ inches; (4) lattice/diagonal members produce openings ≤1¾ inches. Gates (CBC §3109.4.1.7): pedestrian access gates open outward away from the pool and are self-closing and self-latching; where the release mechanism is less than 54 inches from the bottom of the gate, it must be located on the pool side at least 3 inches below the top, with no openings larger than ½ inch within 18 inches of the release; all gates must accommodate a locking device. The site-plan diagrams attached to BS 316 specifically require the self-latching device to be no lower than 60 inches above ground for a stand-alone barrier fence. Where a wall of the dwelling forms part of the barrier (Option 3/4 in BS 316), the homeowner must either install a powered ASTM F1346 safety cover, audible exit alarms on every door (including sliding glass and garage doors) providing access to the pool, OR self-closing/self-latching doors with the release no lower than 54 inches above the floor. Indoor pools comply with CBC §3109.4.1.8. Spas and hot tubs with a listed ASTM F1346 safety cover are EXEMPT from the barrier requirement (CBC §3109.4.4.2). Removable mesh fencing complying with ASTM F2286 (HSC §115922(a)(2)) is one of the two-feature options under SB 442. Suction outlets must meet ANSI/APSP-16 (entrapment protection, CBC §3109.4.4.8).
Installing a barrier shorter than 60 inches; spacing between verticals exceeding 1¾ in (or 4 in where horizontal members ≥45 in apart); a chain-link mesh larger than 2¼ inch square without reducing slats; ground-to-bottom clearance greater than 2 in; inward-swinging access gates; gates without self-closing or self-latching hardware; latch release placed below 60 in without the pool-side relocation rule; missing exit alarms or self-closing doors when the house wall forms part of the barrier; or removing/disabling a previously-required barrier. Building & Safety can withhold final inspection until corrections are made; ongoing violations are abatable under SBMC code-enforcement provisions.
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