Del Norte County, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

Del Norte County's Community Development Department reviews and issues building permits for residential construction in the unincorporated county, working from the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) that every California jurisdiction must enforce. A new in-ground or hard-plumbed swimming pool, spa, or hot tub is a structure regulated by the California Residential Code and California Building Code, so a building permit and plan review are required before construction. Permit submittals are reviewed against the same plan-check items used statewide: the pool layout and depths, deck and drainage, electrical bonding under the California Electrical Code, the equipment and plumbing diagram, the perimeter barrier or enclosure, and the drowning-prevention safety features required by California Health and Safety Code section 115922. Building Inspection is part of the Community Development Department at 981 H Street, Crescent City, CA 95531; the Planning Division front counter is reached at (707) 464-7254. The county does not appear to publish its own pool-specific ordinance separate from the state code, so the controlling standards are the adopted California Residential Code (including its Swimming Pool Safety Act appendix) and the Health and Safety Code. Public or community pools (apartment, HOA, hotel, or other non-single-family pools) are additionally regulated by the county Environmental Health Division under California Code of Regulations Title 22, which requires plan review and an operating permit. Because Del Norte County defers to state law on pool construction, an applicant should confirm current fees and submittal requirements with the Building Inspection Division before applying.