Lake County, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Safety Rules (2026)

The County's barrier handout (Part B, CBC Section 3109.4.4) states the intent is to prevent uncontrolled access to a pool or spa by children from adjacent properties and from the home. Before filling with water, the pool must be isolated from the home by at least one of these methods: (1) a compliant enclosure (60-inch minimum height, 2-inch maximum ground clearance, no 4-inch sphere passage, no climbable handholds, with self-closing/self-latching gates latching at 60 inches); (2) removable mesh pool fencing meeting ASTM F2286 with a self-closing, self-latching, key-lockable gate; (3) an approved safety pool cover meeting ASTM F1346; (4) exit alarms on all doors with direct pool access, listed to UL2017, with the deactivation switch at least 54 inches above the door threshold; (5) self-closing, self-latching devices on all doors from the home to the pool with the release no lower than 54 inches above the floor; or (6) a swimming-pool alarm certified to ASTM F2208 that sounds on accidental or unauthorized entry into the water. 'Exit alarms' are defined as continuous audible devices on doors/windows giving access to the pool area; a home security alarm is not acceptable. The Building Official may approve other equivalent means of protection. The handout also requires contractors to provide the consumer with state pool-safety notice (Health and Safety Code 115924).