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

The County's Building & Safety barrier handout (form 284-004, Rev. 12/2025) implements California SB 442 and Ordinance 421 by requiring a minimum of two compliant barriers installed, inspected, and approved before plastering or filling. The primary barrier is an enclosure that isolates the pool from the home, ADU, or guest quarters - a compliant wall/fence (5-foot minimum) with compliant gates and exit-door alarms where a dwelling wall serves as part of the barrier (mesh fencing is not allowed as the primary barrier). The secondary barrier may be an ASTM F-1346-listed safety pool cover, an ASTM F-2208-listed water/splash alarm, ASTM F-2286-listed mesh fencing, or another independently verified protection of equal or greater protection. Per Ordinance 421, Section 7, any new pool or spa must have at least two hydraulically balanced circulation drains per pump, separated by at least 3 feet, and suction outlets under 12 inches must have tool-removable anti-entrapment grates to prevent entrapment. The plan-check process also requires an equipotential bonding grid and GFCI protection for pool equipment (CEC 680.27/680.28). For an indoor pool, two of the following are required: self-closing self-latching device, door alarm, splash alarm, or pool cover.