Upland, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)
Swimming pool permit rules in Upland, CA, also covering above-ground pools, in-ground pools, and spa installations, set fencing, barrier, alarm, and inspection requirements.
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Upland Municipal Code § 15.04.050, item 9
- Exempt pool depth
- Under 24 inches
- Exempt pool capacity
- Under 5,000 gallons
- Exempt installation
- Entirely above ground
- Adopted safety appendix
- CRC Appendix V, Swimming Pool Safety Act
Summary
Upland requires a building permit for essentially every residential pool. The only exemption is a prefabricated pool accessory to a single-family home that is under 24 inches deep, holds under 5,000 gallons, and sits entirely above ground; any in-ground or larger pool must be permitted.
105.2 Building Permits. A permit shall not be required for the types of work in each of the separate classes of permit as listed below... 9. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R, Division 3 Occupancy that are less than 24″ deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4480959; v4 updated 2025-09-22).
Full Breakdown
' Group R, Division 3 is the building-code classification for one- and two-family dwellings, so this exemption is narrowly aimed at small, temporary above-ground pools at houses, like a soft-sided kiddie pool. Because the exemption requires all three conditions at once, shallow depth, capacity under 5,000 gallons, and fully above-ground installation, any in-ground pool, any pool over 5,000 gallons, or any pool deeper than 24 inches requires a full building permit. 14), which Upland has adopted with Appendix V, the Swimming Pool Safety Act, specifically incorporated as part of the residential construction standards. 100 before work begins.
Violations & Fines
Building an in-ground or oversized pool without the required permit is a building-and-safety violation under Chapter 1.22; § 1.22.040(B) sets a maximum administrative fine of $130 for a first infraction, $700 for a second offense within 12 months, and $1,300 for each subsequent offense, with each day of noncompliant work a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for an above-ground pool in Upland?
Does an in-ground pool need a permit in Upland?
What pool safety rules apply once I get a permit in Upland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Upland
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Pool Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle pool permits.