Lake Forest, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

In the City of Lake Forest (Orange County), a private swimming pool or spa is treated as an accessory use to a residence under Zoning Code Section 9.144.080.4, which defines a 'swimming pool' as a pool, spa, whirlpool or other body of water capable of holding water to a depth of at least 18 inches and used for human immersion. Before excavation or installation, the property owner or contractor must obtain a building permit from the city's Building Division. The city publishes a 'Combination Pool/Spa Permit' application and a 'Swimming Pool Barrier Fencing' handout on its Building Permits page, and demolition of an existing pool requires a separate permit under the city's 'Swimming Pool Demolition Requirements.' Permit plans are checked against the California Residential Code's Swimming Pool Safety Act, which Lake Forest enforces locally rather than writing its own competing standard. Fees are set by the city's Building Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2025; the city accepts cash, check, and credit cards (with a card service fee). Because the underlying barrier and drowning-prevention rules come from California Health and Safety Code Sections 115920-115929, the city's role is to administer permits and inspections to those state standards.