Yuba County, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

Yuba County Code Chapter 10.05 adopts the California State Building Standards Code and applies it to the construction, alteration, and equipment of every structure throughout the unincorporated area (§10.05.130). Under the California Building Code, a swimming pool or spa is a structure that requires a building permit, and the Yuba County Building Department handles intake, plan-check, permit issuance, and inspection for all building in the unincorporated County. Chapter 10.40 (Swimming Pool Safety Act) layers safety requirements onto any pool 'for which a construction permit is issued' at a private single-family residence (§10.40.010). For new pools and spas, §10.40.046 requires anti-entrapment circulation drains, and §10.40.035 requires at least one approved drowning-prevention feature. Before final approval of permitted pool work, the Building Official must inspect the required drowning-prevention devices and may give final approval only if no violations are found (§10.40.035(c)). A 'swimming pool' for these purposes means any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing holding water over 18 inches deep, including in-ground and above-ground pools, hot tubs, spas, and portable spas (§10.40.030(5)). Contact the Building Department at (530) 749-5440 for current fees and submittal lists.