California law treats hot tubs and spas holding water over 18 inches deep as swimming pools, so Upland's building permit and safety-feature requirements apply. A key state exemption: a hot tub or spa equipped with an approved locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 is excused from the barrier requirements.
Under California Health and Safety Code Section 115921, hot tubs, spas, and portable spas that hold water more than 18 inches deep fall within the definition of a swimming pool, so Upland regulates them through the building code adopted in Title 15 and through the Swimming Pool Safety Act. A spa or hot tub installation typically needs a building permit for the structure, plus electrical and any gas/plumbing work, processed by Building and Safety. The most important distinction for spas is the state cover exemption: a hot tub or spa equipped with a locking safety cover that complies with the ASTM F1346 standard is exempt from the Act's barrier (enclosure) requirements that otherwise apply to pools. In practice this means many residential spas satisfy the safety rule with an approved locking cover rather than a 60-inch fence, but the cover must be present, functioning, and locked when the spa is not in use. Portable spas that plug in and sit above ground may still need an electrical permit and must meet the over-18-inch safety threshold. Owners should confirm with Upland Building and Safety whether their specific spa requires a permit and whether their cover meets the approved standard.
A spa over 18 inches deep without an approved locking cover or other approved barrier is an unguarded drowning hazard the city can cite. Installing spa electrical or gas connections without the required permit and inspection is also a violation.
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