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

Santa Clara County's Zoning Ordinance Section 4.20.J expressly groups spa pools with swimming pools, requiring spas and hot tubs to be located at least five feet from any property line or right-of-way and keeping their pumps and equipment at least five feet from property lines. A spa or hot tub installation typically requires a County building and electrical permit from the Department of Planning and Development. For drowning prevention, the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health and Safety Code Section 115922) applies to spas at single-family homes the same way it applies to pools, requiring at least two of the seven listed safety features when a building permit is issued. However, a hot tub or spa equipped with a listed safety cover that meets the ASTM F1346 standard for safety covers is exempt from those barrier requirements, because the locking cover itself controls access. Owners who rely on the cover exemption should keep the cover in good condition and latched when the spa is not in use; if the cover is removed or non-compliant, the standard two-feature requirement applies. Electrical bonding and GFCI protection for spas follow the California Electrical Code enforced by the County.