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

If you live in the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County (not inside a city like the City of San Mateo, Redwood City or Daly City), pool and spa construction is regulated by the County's Planning and Building Department. The County's building regulations are codified under Title 10 of the County Ordinance Code, which adopts the California Building Standards Codes together with the Uniform Swimming Pool-Spa and Hot Tub Code. The County's 'Pool or Spa Permit' page directs applicants to submit an application that identifies the property and provides three sets of plot plans showing the property, proposed pool or spa, and mechanical equipment, plus construction details covering foundation, structure, plumbing, mechanical and electrical work, along with engineering data (calculations and geotechnical reports) and energy calculation data. Because swimming pools, pool houses and cabanas are listed among the projects that require a survey, a boundary survey is also needed so the County can verify property lines and setbacks. Fees include building, planning, plumbing, electrical, plan-check, filing and microfilm charges, with amounts set on the County's fee schedule. The County does not publish its own pool-barrier dimensions; instead, drowning-prevention and enclosure requirements are governed by California state law (the Swimming Pool Safety Act) at permit issuance.