Madera County, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Hot Tub Rules (2026)

In unincorporated Madera County, hot tubs and spas are regulated through the County's adopted California Building Code (which incorporates spa rules) together with the statewide Swimming Pool Safety Act in the Health and Safety Code. The Pool Safety Act's definition of a swimming pool includes spas and hot tubs capable of holding water above the state-defined depth, so a permanent spa generally requires a building permit and electrical inspection for bonding and the equipment connection. A key practical difference is the safety cover: under the Pool Safety Act, a spa equipped with an approved safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 is exempt from the separate enclosure requirements that apply to pools, because the listed cover itself serves as the drowning-prevention feature. If a spa does not have such a cover, the standard barrier rules in Health and Safety Code Section 115923 apply, including the approximately 60-inch enclosure height, the 2-inch bottom-gap limit, and a self-closing, self-latching gate. Portable, self-contained, listed spas may have simplified electrical requirements, but owners should confirm permit applicability with the County Building Division. Spa placement must also satisfy accessory-structure setbacks in Zoning Ordinance Title 18, Chapter 18.98.