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

Under the City of Hemet's pool documents, a 'swimming pool or pool' includes hot tubs, spas, portable spas, and non-portable wading pools whenever they contain water over 18 inches deep. As a result, a hot tub or spa at that depth generally needs a building permit (required at 24 inches deep or greater, or whenever electrical is installed or altered for equipment) and is subject to the California Pool Safety Act's requirement of at least two drowning-prevention safety features for new or remodeled installations at a single-family home. Hemet's handout provides a key carve-out drawn from state law: the safety-feature requirements 'do not apply to' hot tubs or spas with locking safety covers that comply with the ASTM Standard F1346. In other words, a spa equipped with an approved locking cover satisfies the barrier obligation without needing additional fencing or alarms. The same electrical, bonding, anti-entrapment, and clearance standards from Bulletin 121 (Article 680, equipotential bonding, ASTM/ASME drain covers, equipment at least 4 feet from operable openings) apply to spas as to pools. Public spas and spas at apartment complexes are excluded from the single-family barrier rules. Hot tubs remain subject to Hemet's pool setbacks (5 feet from the property line, 3 feet from other structures).