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

Building a residential swimming pool or in-ground spa on unincorporated land in Madera County requires a building permit from the Community and Economic Development Department's Building Division. The County states it has adopted the California Building Code as mandated by the State of California, and plan-submittal documents reference the California Residential, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Green Building, and Energy Code requirements. The County's online permitting portal notes that when you apply for a reroof or swimming pool permit the fees are now charged as flat fees. Because the County enforces the state-adopted codes rather than writing its own pool-construction standards, the technical requirements for the pool shell, electrical bonding, plumbing, and the safety barrier come from the California Building Code (Chapter 31, which incorporates pool barrier rules) and the California Health and Safety Code Pool Safety Act (Sections 115920 et seq.). Pool placement on the lot must also satisfy the setback and accessory-structure rules in the County's Zoning Ordinance (Title 18, including Chapter 18.98, Structure Regulations). Applicants should confirm the current flat-fee amount and submittal checklist with the Building Division before applying, since fees and code editions are updated periodically.