Concord, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)
Swimming pool permit rules in Concord, CA, also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations, set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.
Key Facts
- Code Section
- Concord MC 18.150.160
- Side/Rear Setback
- 5 ft to water's edge
- Front Setback
- Pool not allowed
- Equipment Height
- Under 6 ft
- Enclosure Min Height
- 60 in (Cal. H&S 115923)
- SB 442 Safety Features
- 2 of 7 required (new/remodel)
- Permit Center
- (925) 671-3454
Summary
Concord Development Code 18.150.160 treats above-ground pools the same as in-ground pools: a 5-foot setback from side and rear property lines (water's edge), no front-yard placement, walled or fenced enclosure per the Uniform Swimming Pool Code, and pool equipment under 6 feet tall. California's Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code 115921 et seq., as amended by SB 442) requires at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention features for new or remodeled residential pools.
includes in-ground and aboveground structures and includes, but is not limited to, hot tubs, spas, portable spas, and nonportable wading pools. (b) “Public swimming pool” means a swimming pool operated for the use of the general public with or without charge, or for the use of the members and guests of a private club. Public swimming pool does not include a swimming pool located on the grounds of a private single-family home. (c) “Enclosure” means a fence, wall, or other barrier that isolates a swimming pool from access to the home. (d) “ANSI/APSP performance standard” means a standard that is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and published by the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP).
Full Breakdown
" The same section requires that "Swimming pools shall be walled or fenced to prevent access from the street or from adjacent properties. " These standards apply equally to above-ground and in-ground pools; an above-ground pool wall does not by itself satisfy the access-prevention rule unless its design meets enclosure standards. A building permit is required through the Concord Permit Center (925-671-3454); residential pools follow the SR-RPOOL submittal checklist and are reviewed under the current California Building Standards Code. State law layered on top: California Health and Safety Code Sections 115921 to 115929 (the Swimming Pool Safety Act, expanded by SB 442 effective January 1, 2018) requires new or remodeled residential pools at single-family homes to include at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention features, including a compliant enclosure at least 60 inches tall, removable mesh fencing, an approved safety pool cover, exit alarms on doors leading to the pool area, self-closing and self-latching doors, alarms, or other features defined in Section 115922.
Home inspectors must note in transaction reports which features are present at sale. Pools on single-family lots in Concord are restricted to personal use and may not be leased commercially.
Violations & Fines
Building or installing an above-ground pool without a permit, inside the front setback, within five feet of a side or rear line, or without a compliant enclosure can trigger code enforcement, stop-work orders, retroactive permitting, and required removal. Failure to provide two SB 442 safety features at a new or remodeled pool can block final inspection and create civil liability if drowning occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for an above-ground pool in Concord?
How far from my fence can an above-ground pool sit?
Does the wall of my above-ground pool count as the required fence?
What does SB 442 require for a new pool?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Concord
California rules heatmap·Compare Concord to another location·View the California swimming pools & spas overview
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Pool Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle pool permits.