Kern County, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)
Swimming pool permit rules in Kern County, CA, also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations, set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.
Key Facts
- Permit Authority
- Kern Co. Building Inspection (Public Works)
- Adopted Building Code
- 2019 CBC (Kern Co. Code 17.08.030)
- Adopted Residential Code
- 2019 CRC incl. Appendix V (17.06.030)
- Adopted Plumbing Code
- 2019 CPC + Appendix M (17.20.030, 17.20.190)
- Wastewater Disposal
- Pre-approval required (App. M, M1)
- Commercial Pool Plans
- Health Officer approval (App. M, M10)
- Wading Pool Exemption
- Less than 1,000 gal & under 2 ft deep (M12)
Summary
A building permit from the Kern County Building Inspection Division is required before constructing any swimming pool, spa or hot tub in unincorporated Kern County. The County adopts the 2019 California Building, Residential and Plumbing Codes, and Appendix M of the adopted Plumbing Code (Kern County Code section 17.20.190) requires that the method of pool wastewater disposal be approved by the Administrative Authority before any work begins. Pre-gunite, electrical and final inspections are required.
M1. Swimming pool wastewater shall be disposed of as hereinafter set forth in this section and the type of disposal proposed shall be approved by the administrative authority prior to the commencement of any work. ... M10. Plans for other than private swimming pools shall be approved by the health officer before any water supply or waste discharge permit is issued.
Full Breakdown
06 (Residential Code) adopt the 2019 California Building Code and California Residential Code, respectively, for all unincorporated territory. 030 expressly adopts CRC Appendix V (Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs), which by reference incorporates the construction, electrical, barrier, and safety-cover standards for residential pools. 190 adds Appendix M (Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code). 070 as the Director of the Public Works Department or designee. Appendix M provision M10 further requires that plans for non-private (commercial/public) swimming pools must be approved by the Health Officer before any water supply or waste discharge permit is issued.
Building Inspection conducts pre-gunite, electrical and final inspections. Public/commercial pools are also regulated by the Kern County Public Health Services Department under California Health & Safety Code Part 10, Chapter 5.
Violations & Fines
Construction of a pool, spa, or hot tub without a Kern County building permit is a violation of the Kern County Building Code (Chapter 17.08) and Kern County Plumbing Code (Chapter 17.20). Penalties include stop-work orders, double permit (penalty) fees, mandatory correction or removal, and abatement through the County's Code Compliance section of Public Works. Discharging pool wastewater into a private sewage disposal system or in a manner not approved by the Administrative Authority is independently a violation of Appendix M.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size pool requires a permit in unincorporated Kern County?
Do I need to plan how pool water will be disposed of before building?
Do public or commercial pools have additional requirements?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County to another location·View the California swimming pools & spas overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.