Redwood City, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

California's Swimming Pool Safety Act, Health and Safety Code Sections 115920 through 115929, sets the drowning-prevention conditions that attach to every Redwood City building permit for pool or spa construction or remodeling at a private single-family home. Under Section 115922(a), once the City issues that permit, the pool or spa must be equipped with at least two of seven listed safety features: an enclosure meeting Section 115923's specifications, self-closing and self-latching mesh fencing meeting the ASTM F2286 standard, a certified safety pool cover meeting ASTM F1346-23, exit alarms on doors and windows with direct pool access, a self-closing door-latching device set no lower than 54 inches above the floor, a submersion alarm certified to ASTM F2208, or another independently verified method offering equal protection.

Section 115923 requires that any qualifying enclosure open away from the pool, self-latch at least 60 inches above the ground, stand at least 60 inches tall, clear no more than two inches from the ground, block passage of any four-inch sphere through its gaps, and present no climbable footholds for a child under five. The two chosen features cannot double up from the same category: Section 115922(b) bars pairing an exit alarm with a latching device on the same door, an exit alarm with a latch on separate doors, or a safety cover with a submersion alarm.

Section 115922(c) requires Redwood City's building code official to inspect the required features before signing final approval on the permitted construction or remodeling work. Section 115924 obligates any pool contractor or builder to notify the homeowner of these requirements when the construction agreement is signed. Section 115925 exempts public swimming pools, hot tubs and spas with ASTM F1346-compliant locking covers, and pools at apartment complexes or other non-single-family residential settings. 5 extends that same anti-entrapment upgrade to any permitted remodel of an existing pool, toddler pool, or spa.