Santa Clara County, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

Residential swimming pools and spas in unincorporated Santa Clara County are built under permits issued by the County's Department of Planning and Development (Building Division). The County Ordinance Code contains a dedicated Division B18, Swimming Pools, within the Building Regulations title, and the County enforces the California Building Code (CBC) and California Residential Code that govern pool construction statewide. Because a pool is a structure and an accessory use, it must also satisfy the Zoning Ordinance. Zoning Ordinance Section 4.20 (Supplemental Development Standards), subsection J, requires swimming pools and spa pools to be located at least five feet from any property line or right-of-way, measured to the interior wall of the pool; pool filters, pumps, and other appurtenant machinery must also sit at least five feet from any property line or right-of-way. State law (Health and Safety Code Section 115922, the Swimming Pool Safety Act) attaches drowning-prevention requirements at the time a building permit is issued for a new or remodeled pool or spa at a single-family home, and the local building official inspects those features before final approval. Public pools and spas are separately permitted and inspected by the County Department of Environmental Health. Applicants should confirm current building-permit fees and submittal requirements with Planning and Development before applying.