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

Because Mendocino County builds on the California Residential Code through Title 18, pool safety is governed primarily by the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health and Safety Code Sections 115920-115929). Under Health and Safety Code Section 115922, when a building permit is issued for construction of a new swimming pool or spa, or for remodeling of an existing pool or spa, at a private single-family home, the pool or spa must be equipped with at least two of seven specified drowning-prevention safety features. The seven approved features include: an enclosure that isolates the pool from the home; removable mesh fencing meeting ASTM F2286 with a self-closing, self-latching gate; an ASTM F1346 safety pool cover; exit alarms on doors with direct pool access; self-closing, self-latching doors; an ASTM F2208 pool alarm that detects unauthorized entry into the water; and other approved means of protection. The County's building inspector verifies the chosen features at inspection. These are state minimums enforced locally; the County does not publish stricter pool-safety numbers. Owners should also follow general California drowning-prevention practices, including never leaving children unattended near water.