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

The barrier standards sit in the city's amendments to California Building Code Section 3109. The fence must be permanently installed with concrete poured-in-place footings and must enclose the entire pool area. Barrier fencing is built from durable materials such as wood, solid vinyl fencing, concrete, masonry walls and chain link fencing, and cloth type fencing is prohibited as a permanent pool perimeter barrier.

Height and gaps are measured on the side facing away from the pool: the top of the barrier must be at least 60 inches above grade, and the vertical clearance between grade and the bottom must be no more than two inches. Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, the barrier can sit at ground level or on top of the pool structure, and the gap between the pool top and the barrier bottom must be no more than four inches. Where horizontal members have tops less than 45 inches apart, the horizontal members go on the pool side and vertical spacing cannot be greater than 1 ¾ inches. Where the tops are 45 inches or more apart, vertical spacing cannot be greater than 4 inches. Chain link mesh cannot be greater than 1 ¾ inches unless slats reduce the openings to that size.

Gates are the strictest part. Pedestrian access gates must open outward away from the pool, be self-closing and have a self-latching device. Other doors or gates need a self-latching device and lockable hardware or padlocks, and they stay locked at all times when not in use. A release mechanism less than 60 inches above grade must sit on the pool side at least three inches below the top of the gate, with no opening greater than one-half inch within 18 inches of it. When a dwelling wall forms part of the barrier, two safety devices are required in accordance with Section 115922 of the California Health and Safety Code. Ladders or steps of an above-ground pool must be capable of being secured, locked or removed, or be surrounded by a compliant barrier. A clear zone of not less than 36 inches must separate the enclosure from pumps, filters, heaters and other permanent objects that could be used to climb it. Walls surrounding indoor pools are not required to meet these barrier sections, and the Building Official withholds plaster inspection until the fencing is in compliance.