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Chapter 31B — PUBLIC POOLS

Section 3161B — WADING POOLS

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.

1. “Public wading pool” means a pool that meets all of the following criteria: 1.1. It has a maximum water depth not exceeding 18 inches (457 mm). 1.2. It is a pool other than a pool that is located on the premises of a one-unit or two-unit residence, intended solely or the use of the residents or guests.

2. “Public wading pool” includes, but is not limited to, a pool owned or operated by private persons or agencies, or by state or local governmental agencies.

3. “Public wading pool” includes, but is not limited to, a pool located in an apartment house, hotel or similar setting that is intended for the use of residents or guests. 4. “Alteration” means any of the following: 4.1. To change, modify or rearrange the structural parts or the design.

4.2. To enlarge.

4.3. To move the location of.

4.4. To install a new water circulation system. 4.5. To make any repairs costing fifty dollars ($50) or more to an existing circulation system. 5. A public wading pool shall have at least two circulation drains per pump that are hydraulically balanced and symmetrically plumbed through one or more T fittings, and are separated by a distance of at least 3 feet (914 mm) in any dimension between drains.

6. All public wading pool main drain suction outlets that are under 12 inches (305 mm) across shall be covered with antivortex grates or similar protective devices. All main drain suction outlets shall be covered with grates or antivortex plates that cannot be removed except with the use of tools. Slots or openings in the grates or similar protective devices shall be of a shape, area and arrangement that would prevent physical entrapment and would not pose any suction hazard to bathers. 7. The maximum velocity in the pump suction hydraulic system shall not exceed 6 feet per second (1.8 m/s) when 100 percent of the pump’s flow comes from the main drain system and any main drain suction fitting in the system is completely blocked. 8. On or after January 1, 1998, all newly constructed public wading pools shall be constructed in compliance with this section.

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

PUBLIC POOLS

9. Commencing January 1, 1998, whenever a construction permit is issued for alteration of an existing public wading pool, it shall be retrofitted so as to be in compliance with this section. 10. By January 1, 2000, every public wading pool, regardless of the date of original construction, shall be retrofitted to comply with this section.

Authority: Health and Safety Code Section 116064 (e) Reference: Health and Safety Code Section 116064 AB 2114, (Statues 1995, c. 415).

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▸ 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

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