Under the California Swimming Pool Safety Act, a 'swimming pool' includes any structure holding water deeper than 18 inches - so in-ground spas, hot tubs, and portable spas trigger the same permit and drowning-prevention rules as a swimming pool when a building permit is needed.
California Health & Safety Code section 115921 defines 'swimming pool' as 'any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 18 inches deep,' explicitly including 'in-ground and above-ground structures' and 'hot tubs, spas, portable spas, and nonportable wading pools.' That definition is the trigger for the Pool Safety Act's permit, barrier, and inspection requirements set out in HSC 115922-115928. Napa County's Building Division applies the same residential pool/spa submittal checklist to spa and hot tub installations and issues a Pool Safety Notice with each permit. Listed portable spas with locking, ASTM F1346-compliant safety covers can typically satisfy one of the two required drowning-prevention features without a separate enclosure.
Installing or relocating an in-ground or attached spa without a permit, or failing to provide two drowning-prevention features, will block final inspection and may trigger code enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Napa, CA
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Napa, CA
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Napa, CA
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Napa, CA
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Napa, CA
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Napa, CA
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