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

Unincorporated Plumas County has no county-specific pool safety code; the zoning code does not define or regulate pools beyond treating them as permitted structures. Safety rules come from the California Swimming Pool Safety Act, enforced through the county building permit and inspection process. Health and Safety Code Section 115922 provides that when a building permit is issued for a new pool or spa, or for remodeling an existing pool or spa, at a private single-family home, the pool must be equipped with at least two of seven drowning-prevention safety features. The seven features are: (1) an isolation enclosure meeting Section 115923; (2) removable mesh fencing meeting ASTM F2286 with a self-closing, self-latching gate; (3) an approved manual or powered safety pool cover meeting ASTM F1346; (4) exit alarms on doors and windows with direct pool access; (5) self-closing, self-latching devices on doors with pool access, with the release mechanism at least 54 inches high; (6) an in-water alarm certified to ASTM F2208; and (7) an alternative protection means offering equal or greater protection, verified by an approved testing laboratory. The owner chooses which two (or more) features to install, and a building inspector confirms compliance before the pool is finalized. Owners with older pools predating the current standard are not retroactively required to upgrade unless they remodel.