Skip to content

Chapter 31B — PUBLIC POOLS

Section 3111B — STEPS, RECESSED STEPS, LADDERS AND STAIRS

2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-27 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

3111B.1 Construction.

A means of entry and exit to and from the pool shall consist of steps, recessed steps, ladders, stairs, ramps or a combination of these. Stairs or ramps shall be provided in the shallowest portion of a pool if the vertical distance from the bottom of the pool to the deck is over 1 foot (305 mm). In pools with more than one shallow end, stairs or ramps shall be provided at a minimum at one shallow end. A second means of entry and exit shall be provided in the deep portion of a pool having a depth greater than 4 [1] / 2 feet (1372 mm). Where the width of the pool exceeds 30 feet (9144 mm), such means of entry and exit shall be provided at each side, not more than 100 feet (30,480 mm) apart.

Note: For illustrated diagrams pertaining to this section see Figures 31B-6 and 31B-7.

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

PUBLIC POOLS

3111B.2 Ladders.

Ladders shall be corrosion resistant and shall be equipped with slip resistant tread surfaces. Ladders shall be rigidly installed and shall provide a clearance of not less than 3 inches (76 mm) or more than 5 inches (127 mm) between any part of the ladder and the pool wall.

3111B.3 Stairs.

Each step of a stair shall have a tread in accordance with Figure 31B-7. Risers shall conform to Figure 31B-7. At least one hand rail shall be provided extending from the deck to not less than a point above the top of the lowest step installed in accordance with Figure 31B-7.

3111B.4 Ladder and recessed step dimensions.

Ladder treads and recessed steps shall have a minimum tread of 5 inches (127 mm) and a width of 14 inches (356 mm) and shall be designed to be readily cleaned. Step risers shall be uniform and shall not exceed 12 inches (305 mm) in height. The first riser shall be measured from the deck.

3111B.5 Handrails for ladders and recessed steps.

Handrails shall be provided at the top of both sides of each ladder and recessed steps and shall extend over the coping or edge of the deck.

3111B.6 Handrails for spas.

Two hand rails shall be provided extending from the deck to not less than a point above the top of the lowest step in accordance with Figure 31B-7. The steps shall be located where the deck is at least 4 feet (1219 mm) wide.

3111B.7 Dimensional tolerances.

Finished step tread and riser construction tolerances shall be + [1] / 2 inch (12.5 mm).

[DSA-AC] Additional requirements may apply. Refer to Chapter 11B for accessibility provisions applicable to public accommodations, commercial buildings and public housing.

Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.

Ask AI about this code
▸ Contents — 2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
  1. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
  4. Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY A…
  5. Chapter 5 — GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
  6. Chapter 6 — TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
  7. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  8. Chapter 7A — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR W…
  9. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISHES
  10. Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
  11. Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
  12. Chapter 11 — RESERVED
  13. Chapter 11A — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY
  14. Chapter 11B — ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMM…
  15. Chapter 12 — INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
  16. Chapter 13 — ENERGY EFFICIENCY
  17. Chapter 14 — EXTERIOR WALLS
  18. Chapter 15 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND ROOFTOP STRUCTURES
  19. Chapter 16 — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  20. Chapter 16A — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  21. Chapter 17 — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  22. Chapter 17A — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  23. Chapter 18 — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  24. Chapter 18A — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  25. Chapter 19 — CONCRETE
  26. Chapter 19A — CONCRETE
  27. Chapter 20 — ALUMINUM
  28. Chapter 21 — MASONRY
  29. Chapter 21A — MASONRY
  30. Chapter 22 — STEEL
  31. Chapter 22A — STEEL
  32. Chapter 23 — WOOD
  33. Chapter 24 — GLASS AND GLAZING
  34. Chapter 25 — GYPSUM PANEL PRODUCTS AND PLASTER
  35. Chapter 26 — PLASTIC
  36. Chapter 27 — ELECTRICAL
  37. Chapter 28 — MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
  38. Chapter 29 — PLUMBING SYSTEMS
  39. Chapter 30 — ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
  40. Chapter 31 — SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
  41. Chapter 31A — SYSTEMS FOR WINDOW CLEANING OR EXTERIOR BUILDING…
  42. ▸ Chapter 31B — PUBLIC POOLS
    Overview
    1. Section 3101B — SCOPE
    2. Section 3102B — DEFINITIONS
    3. Section 3103B — PLAN REVIEW
    4. Section 3104B — CONSTRUCTION
    5. Section 3105B — PLAN COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS
    6. Section 3106B — SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SPRAY GROUNDS
    7. Section 3107B — ALTERNATIVE EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS AND METHODS O…
    8. Section 3108B — POOL CONSTRUCTION
    9. Section 3109B — POOL GEOMETRY
    10. Section 3110B — PERMANENT MARKINGS
    11. Section 3111B — STEPS, RECESSED STEPS, LADDERS AND STAIRS
    12. Section 3112B — HANDHOLDS
    13. Section 3113B — DIVING BOARDS AND PLATFORMS
    14. Section 3114B — POOL DECKS
    15. Section 3115B — POOL LIGHTING
    16. Section 3116B — DRESSING, SHOWER AND TOILET FACILITIES
    17. Section 3117B — DRINKING FOUNTAINS
    18. Section 3118B — HOSE BIBBS
    19. Section 3119B — POOL ENCLOSURE
    20. Section 3120B — REQUIRED SIGNS
    21. Section 3121B — INDOOR POOL VENTILATION
    22. Section 3122B — POOL EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE
    23. Section 3123B — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
    24. Section 3124B — TURNOVER TIME
    25. Section 3125B — RECIRCULATION PIPING SYSTEM AND COMPONENTS
    26. Section 3126B — RECIRCULATION PUMP CAPACITY
    27. Section 3127B — WATER SUPPLY INLETS
    28. Section 3128B — FILTERS (ALL TYPES)
    29. Section 3129B — RAPID SAND PRESSURE FILTERS
    30. Section 3130B — DIATOMACEOUS EARTH FILTERS
    31. Section 3131B — HIGH-RATE SAND FILTERS
    32. Section 3132B — CARTRIDGE FILTERS
    33. Section 3133B — CHEMICAL FEEDERS
    34. Section 3134B — DISINFECTANT FEEDERS
    35. Section 3135B — GAS CHLORINATION EQUIPMENT ROOM
    36. Section 3136B — POOL SKIMMING SYSTEMS
    37. Section 3137B — POOL FITTINGS
    38. Section 3138B — SPA POOL SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
    39. Section 3139B — SOLAR HEATING INSTALLATIONS
    40. Section 3140B — CLEANING SYSTEMS
    41. Section 3141B — WASTEWATER DISPOSAL
    42. Section 3142B — RESERVED
    43. Section 3143B — RESERVED
    44. Section 3144B — RESERVED
    45. Section 3145B — RESERVED
    46. Section 3146B — RESERVED
    47. Section 3147B — RESERVED
    48. Section 3148B — RESERVED
    49. Section 3149B — RESERVED
    50. Section 3150B — RESERVED
    51. Section 3151B — RESERVED
    52. Section 3152B — RESERVED
    53. Section 3153B — RESERVED
    54. Section 3154B — RESERVED
    55. Section 3155B — RESERVED
    56. Section 3156B — RESERVED
    57. Section 3157B — RESERVED
    58. Section 3158B — RESERVED
    59. Section 3159B — RESERVED
    60. Section 3160B — GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS
    61. Section 3161B — WADING POOLS
    62. Section 3162B — ANTI-ENTRAPMENT DEVICES AND SYSTEMS
  43. Chapter 31C — RADIATION
  44. Chapter 31D — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
  45. Chapter 31F — MARINE OIL TERMINALS
  46. Chapter 32 — ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
  47. Chapter 33 — SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
  48. Chapter 34 — RESERVED
  49. Chapter 35 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  50. Appendix A — EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS
  51. Appendix B — BOARD OF APPEALS
  52. Appendix C — GROUP U—AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
  53. Appendix D — FIRE DISTRICTS
  54. Appendix E — RESERVED
  55. Appendix F — RODENTPROOFING
  56. Appendix G — FLOOD-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION
  57. Appendix H — SIGNS
  58. Appendix I — PATIO COVERS
  59. Appendix J — GRADING
  60. Appendix K — GROUP R-3 AND GROUP R-3.1 OCCUPANCIES PROTECTED B…
  61. Appendix L — EARTHQUAKE RECORDING INSTRUMENTATION
  62. Appendix M — TSUNAMI-GENERATED FLOOD HAZARDS
  63. Appendix N — REPLICABLE BUILDINGS
  64. Appendix O — PERFORMANCE-BASED APPLICATION
  65. Appendix P — SLEEPING LOFTS
  66. Appendix Q — EMERGENCY HOUSING

GoCodebook provides public access, search, citation, multilingual explanation, and practical interpretation of legally adopted building regulations. It is not a substitute for the official ICC or California code publications.