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

Merced County applies the California Swimming Pool Safety Act for private single-family residential pools and spas, reproducing Health & Safety Code 115922 in its Building Permit Guide. When a building permit is issued to build a new pool or spa, or to remodel an existing one, at a private single-family home, the pool or spa must be equipped with at least two of seven specified drowning-prevention safety features: (1) an enclosure meeting HSC 115923 that isolates the pool from the home; (2) removable mesh fencing meeting ASTM F2286 with a self-closing, self-latching, key-lockable gate; (3) an approved safety pool cover meeting ASTM F1346-91; (4) exit alarms on doors providing direct access to the pool; (5) a self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches on doors with direct pool access; (6) an alarm certified to ASTM F2208 that sounds on entry into the water; or (7) another equivalent, independently verified means of protection. Before final approval of the permitted work, the County building official must inspect the required drowning-prevention features, and if no violations are found, give final approval. The County's Guide also cites CBC Section 2406, requiring safety glazing in walls and fences used as a pool/spa barrier where the bottom edge of glazing is less than 60 inches above the walking surface and within 5 feet of the water's edge.