Santa Ana, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

Santa Ana adopted the Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code, 2009 Edition (minus its administrative Part I) by reference under § 8-2600, and administers it through the building official acting as the 'administrative authority' under § 8-2602. Section 8-2608 makes it unlawful to install, remove, alter, repair, replace, or maintain any pool, spa, or hot tub system without first getting a permit from that authority, and bars a permittee from letting anyone but his own employees do the permitted work. The only carve-out is replacing a component part that doesn't change the system's original approval and otherwise meets code.

To apply, § 8-2609 requires a completed form describing the work and the location, ownership, occupancy, and use of the property; when the administrative authority requires it, at least two sets of corrected plans and specifications must be filed and approved before any permit issues, with one set returned to the applicant to keep on site throughout construction. Once issued, a permit expires under § 8-2607 if work doesn't start within 180 days, or if it's suspended or abandoned for 180 days after starting: a new permit and fee are then required to resume, unless the layoff exceeds a year, in which case the whole process restarts.

The building official can extend the original 180-day window once, for up to another 180 days, if the applicant shows circumstances beyond their control caused the delay.