Swimming pool requirements

This section includes the critical requirements for residential pools and spas. For additional requirements not outlined in this section, please refer to California Code of Regulations § 3109 (2021). Applicants may also reference the zoning ordinance in municipal code Chapter 16.70, Swimming pools.

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Setbacks

Swimming pools shall not be constructed in required front setbacks or closer than 5 feet to any rear or side lot lines. On the street side of any corner lot, where the rear lot line abuts a side lot line, no pool shall be located closer than 10 feet to such side lot line. Menlo Park Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 16.70.010

Clearance

There shall be at least 4 feet of clearance from obstructions around the entire pool. When built adjacent to a structure, the pool shall be located as not to intercept the angle of repose of the structure. If the pool intercepts the angle of repose, the structural design of the pool shall incorporate the additional foundation load of the structure.

Backwash

The main drain for all swimming pools, fountains and spas shall not be directly connected to either the sanitary sewer or the storm drain system. Drainage from the main drain of these pools shall be to the sanitary sewer by temporary connection only. A permit from West Bay Sanitary Sewer District must be obtained before draining the pool. The backwash drains shall be directly connected to the sanitary sewer and be coordinated with West Bay Sanitary Sewer District at 650-321-0384.

Pool equipment

All pool equipment is subject to the city noise ordinance, municipal code Chapter 8.06, and shall be housed in a weather tight structure with sound insulation. If the structure is more than 8 feet in height and/or more than 64 square feet and/or used for a dressing or storage room, it will require a separate building permit and will be regulated as an accessory building. The exhaust for the heater shall be at least 4 feet from the property line.

Fences

During construction, pools shall be enclosed by a fence or solid structure with a height of 60-84 inches. The fence shall not have any openings larger than 50 square inches other than a gate. Fences with rectangular openings having a horizontal dimension 4 inches or less may exceed 50 square inches. All gates leading into the area shall be self-closing self-latching. The latch shall be at least 60 inches above the ground.

Required clearance for electrical conductors

Electric lines with a voltage of 0 to 750 volts shall be at least 22.5 feet above the water level and the pool deck and 14.5 feet above the diving platform for at least 10 feet around the edge of the pool. All other supply conductors shall be at least 25 feet above the water level and the pool deck and 17 feet above the diving platform. Cal. Electric Code. § 680.9(A) (2019).

Required information for all swimming pool permit applications

  1. Complete site plan showing all structures with dimensions and be to scale.
  2. Landscape plan that shows planned decks, retaining walls and drains.
  3. Location of all utilities (gas, sewer, water and electric) drawn on the site plan.
  4. A soil investigation and report for all pools located in the foothills area.

California swimming pool safety act

The pool shall be equipped with at least two of the following per the CBC § 3109 and the Swimming Pool Safety Act (HS Code, §§ 115920-115929):

  1. An enclosure that meets the requirements of the Enclosure section below and isolates the swimming pool or spa from the private single-family home. 
  2. Removable mesh fencing that meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specifications F2286 standards in conjunction with a gate that is self-closing and self-latching and can accommodate a lockable device.
  3. An approved safety pool cover, as defined in subdivision (d) of section 115921:  a manually or power-operated safety pool cover that meets all of the performance standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), in compliance with Standard F1346-91.
  4. Exit alarms on dwelling doors that provide direct access to the swimming pool or spa. The exit alarm may use either an alarm noise or a verbal warning.
  5. A self-closing, self-latching device with the release mechanism at least 54 inches above the floor on the doors providing direct access to the swimming pool or spa.
  6. An alarm that, when placed in a swimming pool or spa, will sound upon detection of accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water. These alarms shall meet and be independently certified to the ASTM Standard F2208 “Standard Specification for Residential Pool Alarms,” which includes surface motion, pressure, sonar, laser and infrared type alarms. A swimming protection alarm feature designed for individual use, such as a proximity alarm attached to a child, is not a qualifying drowning prevention safety measure.
  7. Other means of protection, if the degree of protection afforded is equal to or greater than that afforded by any of the features above and has been independently verified by an approved testing laboratory to meet standards for those devices established by the ASTM or the American Society of Testing Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Before the issuance of a final approval for the completion of permitted construction or remodeling work, the local building code official shall inspect the drowning safety prevention devices required by this section and, if no violations are found, shall give final approval.

Enclosure characteristics 

The pool enclosure shall exhibit the following characteristics per the Swimming Pool Safety Act (HS Code, § 115923):

  1. Gates in the fence shall open away from the swimming pool and must be self-closing and self-latching with the latch at least 60 inches above the ground.
  2. A minimum height of 60 inches.
  3. The bottom of the fence shall not be higher than 2 inches from the ground. 
  4. Gaps or voids, if any, do not allow passage of a 4-inch sphere.
  5. An outside surface free of protrusions, cavities or other physical characteristics that would serve as handholds or footholds that could allow a child below the age of five years to climb over.

Pool or spa characteristics 

The proposed construction shall comply with the following per California Building Code 3109.4.4.8 and municipal code Chapter 16.70.

  1. The swimming pool or spa shall have at least two circulation drains per pump that shall be hydraulically balanced and symmetrically plumbed through one or more “T” fittings. The drains shall be separated by at least 3 feet in any direction between the suction outlets, or be designed to use alternatives to suction outlets such as skimmers or perimeter overflow systems.
  2. The circulation system shall have the capacity to provide a complete turnover of pool water as specified in Cal. Code Regs. Title 24, § 3124B (2021).
  3. Suction outlets shall be covered with anti-entrapment grates, as specified in ANSI/APSP-16 or successor standard designated by the Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission that cannot be removed except with tools. 
  4. Any backup safety system that an owner of a new swimming pool or spa may choose to install in addition to the requirements set forth above shall meet the standard as published in the document. “Guidelines for Entrapment Hazards: Making Pools and Spas Safer," Publication No. 363, March 2005, United States Consumer Products Safety Commission.
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