San Joaquin County, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

San Joaquin County Building Division requires a building permit for in-ground and above-ground swimming pools over 18 inches deep, spas, and permanent hot tubs. Permit submittal includes a site plan showing 5-foot side/rear setbacks from property lines (varies by zone), pool equipment location and sound attenuation, drainage of backwash water (cannot discharge to the county storm drain or Delta sloughs — must be dechlorinated and drained to landscape or sanitary sewer), bonding and grounding of reinforcing steel, and GFCI-protected electrical per NEC Article 680. Barriers must comply with California Building Code Title 24 Chapter 31 and Health & Safety Code §115920 et seq. (Swimming Pool Safety Act): 60-inch minimum fence height, self-closing/self-latching gate opening away from the pool, plus one additional safety feature from a statutory list (automatic pool cover, pool alarm, self-closing/self-latching doors from the house, removable mesh, or exit alarms on doors). Plan check, structural inspection (pre-gunite), electrical/bonding, final barrier inspection, and fill-water inspection all required.