La Palma Municipal Code Div. 7 Residential Code (CA)

Sec. 10-210. - Adopted.¶

The California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, based on the 2024 International Residential Code is hereby adopted, in its entirety, as the Residential Code of the City of La Palma, together with the amendments, additions, and deletions thereto as set forth in this division 7, chapter 10.

(Ord. No. 2022-10, § 2, 11-1-2022; Ord. No. 2025-02, § 2, 11-4-2025)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 10-211. - Amendments, additions, and deletions.¶

The following additions, amendments, and deletions are hereby made to the California Residential Code adopted by this division:

SECTION R105 Permits. The following revisions are hereby added to section R105 to read, in its entirety, as follows:

Section R105.2 - Work Exempt from permit. Subsections 1 and 2 of section R105.2 are hereby amended to read, in their entirety, as follows:

One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (11m2 ), and provided that such structures must comply with setback and height requirements of the City Zoning Code.
Fences not over 6 feet high. Masonry or concrete fences not over 36 inches in height above lowest adjacent grade.

Section R105.2 is hereby amended by adding Subsection 11 to read, in its entirety, as follows:

Television and radio receiving and transmitting antennas over 15 feet in height measured from the highest point on the structure on the same lot require a Conditional Use Permit and shall be designed as per standard plans on file in the Building Division of the City of La Palma.

Section R105.3.2 Time limitation of application. Subsection R105.3.2 of section R105 is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

R105.3.2. Time limitation of application. An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be deemed to have been abandoned one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of filing, unless such application has been pursued in good faith or permit has been issued; except that the Building Official is authorized to grant one extension of time for an additional period not exceeding one hundred eighty (180) days. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated. In order to renew action on an application after expiration, the applicant shall resubmit plans and pay a new plan check fee.

Section R105.5 Expiration. Subsection R105.5 of section R105 is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

Section R105.5 Expiration. Every Permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 12 months after its issuance, or after commencement of work if more than 180 days pass between inspections or abandoned. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for a period not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated that:

No changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work; and
Such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one (1) year; and
A reendorsement of the compliance of the plans with the applicable regulations, by the Building Official, shall be obtained.

Any permittee holding an unexpired permit may apply for an extension of the time within which work may commence under that permit when the permittee is unable to commence work within the time required by this section for good and satisfactory reasons. The Building Official may extend the time for action by the permittee for a period not exceeding one hundred eighty (180) days upon written request by the permittee showing that circumstances beyond the control of the permittee have prevented action from being taken. No permit shall be extended more than once.

Section R105.10 Maintenance of property during construction. A new Subsection R105.10 is hereby added to section R105 to read in its entirety as follows:

R105.10. During construction, all property shall be maintained in a reasonably clean and well-kept manner. All lumber and building materials shall be neatly piled or stacked in a safe manner and stored in the rear yard of the residential property or inside the building construction perimeter, except that building materials may be stored in a front yard for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days. A waiver of this requirement may be obtained from the Building Official or their designated representative if the construction is screened from view from adjacent occupied or public property with fencing materials approved by city zoning and building regulations.

Section R106.3 - Examination of documents. Subsection R106.3 of section R106 is hereby amended to add a second paragraph that reads as follows:

R106.3 Examination of documents. When submittal documents are required by section R106.1, a plan review fee shall be paid at the time of submitting the submittal documents for plan review. Said plan review fees are separate fees from the permit fees specified in section R108.2 and are in addition to the permit fees. Said plan review fee shall be as set forth in the City Council Fee Resolution. The initial plan review fee is for one complete review and one re-check review. Reviews beyond the initial and the re-check shall require addition fees as set forth in the City Council Fee Resolution.

Section R106.5 - Retention of construction documents. Subsection R106.5 of section R106 is hereby amended to add a second paragraph that reads as follows:

R106.5 Retention of construction documents. The approved plans, permit application, and inspection card, and other construction documents required by the Building Official shall be imaged after the final inspection and will be a permanent record in the City. The applicant shall pay the cost of imaging at the time of permit. Said imaging fee shall be as set forth in the City Council Fee Resolution.

Section R108.3 - Building permit valuations. Subsection R108.3 of section R108 is hereby amended to add a second paragraph that reads as follows:

R108.3. Building permit valuation. The Building Official shall make the determination of value or valuation under any provisions of this code. The valuation shall be determined by using rational methods established by the Building Official that reasonably establish the construction value or the contract price of the actual construction cost. The value of work to be used in computing the Building Permit and Building Plan Review fees shall be the total value of all construction work for which the permit is issued, as well as all finish work, painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, elevators, fire extinguishing systems, and any other permanent equipment.

Section R108.5 - Refunds. Section 108.5 is hereby amended to read as follows:

R108.5 Refunds. The Building Official may authorize refunding of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected.

The Building Official may authorize refunding of not more than 80 percent of the permit fee paid when no work has been done under a permit issued in accordance with this code.

The Building Official may authorize refunding of not more than 80 percent of the plan review fee paid when an application for a permit for which a plan review has been paid is withdrawn or canceled before any plan reviewing is done.

The Building Official shall not authorize refunding of any fee paid except on written application filed by the original permittee not later than 180 days after the date of payment. No refund will be made for less than $25.00. Permit and plan check fees will be refunded in their entirety then collected in error.

Section 109.4 Work Commencing before permit issuance is hereby amended to add a paragraph that reads as follows:

For the work commencing before the permit issuance, the penalty fee, in addition to the normal permit fee, will be twice amount of the permit fee to be collected at the time of permit issuance.

Section R109.5 - Reinspections. A new Subsection R109.5 is hereby added to section R109 to read in its entirety as follows:

R109.5 Reinspections. A reinspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or reinspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when corrections called for are not made.

This subsection is not to be interpreted as requiring re-inspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of this Code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection or reinspection.

Reinspection fees may be assessed when the inspection record card is not posted or otherwise made available on the work site, the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector, for failure to provide access on the date for which inspection is requested, or for deviating from plans requiring the approval of the Building Official.

To obtain a reinspection, the applicant shall file an application therefore in writing upon a form furnished for that purpose and pay the re-inspection fee as established by the City Council Fee Resolution.

In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid.

Section R110.3 - Temporary occupancy. Subsection R110.4 of section R110 is hereby amended to add a second paragraph that reads as follows:

R110.3 Temporary occupancy. The application fee for such Temporary Certificate of Occupancy shall be as established by the City Council Fee Resolution. The Temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be subject to such conditions as deemed necessary by the Building Official. The Temporary Certificate of Occupancy expires 30 days after issuance and may be renewed for additional 30-day periods upon providing acceptable justification, the payment of a new application fee for each 30-day period and approval by the Building Official. The violation or failure of any such condition imposed shall be grounds for revocation of such Temporary Certificate of Occupancy.

Section R112.1 is amended to read as follows:

113.1 General. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the building official relative to the application and interpretation of this code, there shall be and is hereby created a board of appeals. The Board of Appeals shall consist of five members, composed of the mayor and the other members of the City Council. Said members shall hold their respective membership on said board of appeals by reason of, and concurrently with their terms of service as Council members and shall cease to be such members upon their ceasing to be Council members. The building official shall be the secretary of the board. The Board may adopt reasonable rules and regulations for conducting its investigations and shall render all its decisions and findings on contested matters in writing to the building official, with duplicative copy thereof to any appellant or contestant affected by any such decision of finding.

Three members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. The mayor shall be the presiding officer of the board. Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the Brown Act.

The Board shall have the right, subject to such limits as the City Council may prescribe by resolution, to employ at the cost and expense of the City, such qualified individuals as the board, in its discretion, may deem reasonably necessary in order to assist it in its investigations and making its findings and decisions.

Section R112.3 is deleted in its entirety without replacement.

Chapter 2 Definitions is adopted in its entirety with the following amendment:

Section 202 Definitions is hereby revised by adding "OCFA" and "Spark Arrester" as follows:

OCFA: Orange County Fire Authority, fire authority having jurisdiction.

SPARK ARRESTER. A listed device constructed of noncombustible material specifically for the purpose of meeting one of the following conditions:

Removing and retaining carbon and other flammable particles/debris from the exhaust flow of an internal combustion engine in accordance with California Vehicle Code section 38366.
Fireplaces that burn solid fuel in accordance with California Building Code chapter 28.

Chapter 3 Building Planning is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments and additions:

Table R301.2 is revised to read as follows:

TABLE R301.2 CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA

Ground snow load 0	WIND DESIGN	WIND DESIGN	WIND DESIGN	WIND DESIGN	Seismic design category f	SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM	SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM	SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM	Ice barrier under- layment required h	Flood hazards g	Air freezing index 1	Mean annual temp j
Ground snow load 0	Speed d (mph)	Topo. effects k	Special wind region 1	Windborne debris zone m	Seismic design category f	Weathering a	Frost line depth b	Termite c	Ice barrier under- layment required h	Flood hazards g	Air freezing index 1	Mean annual temp j
Zero	95	No	No	No	D 2 or E	Negligible	12-24"	Very Heavy	No	Yes/No	0	60

TABLE R301.2(1) CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA

Ground snow load 0	WIND DESIGN	WIND DESIGN	WIND DESIGN	WIND DESIGN	Seismic design category f	SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM	SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM	SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM	Ice barrier under- layment required h	Flood hazards g	Air freezing index 1	Mean annual temp j
Ground snow load 0	Speed d (mph)	Topo. effects k	Special wind region 1	Windborne debris zone m	Seismic design category f	Weathering a	Frost line depth b	Termite c	Ice barrier under- layment required h	Flood hazards g	Air freezing index 1	Mean annual temp j
Zero	95	No	No	No	D 2 or E	Negligible	12-24"	Very Heavy	No	Yes/No	0	60

Section R302.15.11 Fuel Modification Requirements for New Construction is hereby added as follows:

R302.15.11 Fuel Modification Requirements for New Construction. All new structures and facilities adjoining land containing hazardous combustible vegetation shall be approved and in accordance with the requirements of OCFA Guideline C-05 "Vegetation Management Guideline - Technical Design for new Construction Fuel Modification Plans and Maintenance Program."

Section R309.3.1.2 Fire sprinkler attached garages, and carports with habitable space above is hereby amended by modifying the exception to read as follows:

Exception: no.5: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required when additions or alterations are made to existing carports and/or garages that do not have an automatic fire sprinkler system installed unless a sprinkler system is required in accordance with California Fire Code section 903.2.8 as amended.

Section R309.1. Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems is hereby amended by modifying the exception to read as follows:

Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required when additions or alterations are made to existing townhouses that do not have an automatic fire sprinkler system installed unless a sprinkler system is required in accordance with California Fire Code section 903.2.8 as amended.

Section R309.2 One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems is hereby amended by modifying the exception to read as follows:

Existing R-3 Buildings: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in one-and two-family dwellings throughout when one of the following conditions exists:

a. When the floor area of alterations or additions within any two-year period exceeds 50 percent of gross floor area of the existing structure and the building gross floor area exceeds 5,500 square feet; or:

b. When an existing Group R Occupancy is being substantially renovated, and where the scope of the renovation is such that the Building Code Official determines that the complexity of installing a sprinkler system would be similar as in a new building. Section R313.3.6.2.2 Calculation procedure is hereby revised to read as follows: Section R313.3.6.2.2 Calculation procedure. Determination of the required size for water distribution piping shall be in accordance with the following procedure and California Fire Code section 903.3.5.3.

Section R308.1 Address identification is hereby revised to read as follows:

R308.1 Site Address. New and existing buildings shall be provided with approved address identification. The address identification shall be legible and placed in a position that is visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address identification characters shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Each character shall be not less than four inches in height with a stroke width of not less than 0.5 inch. Where required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means of a private road and the building address cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address identification shall be maintained.

Section R337.1.3 Application is hereby revised to read as follows:

R337.1.3 Application. New buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone or any Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area designated by the enforcing agency constructed after the application date, and additions to and remodel of buildings constructed before 2012 located in areas currently designated as such, shall comply with the provisions of this chapter. The provisions shall also apply to additions, remodels, and accessory structures located within 100 feet of a fuel modification zone, vegetation management area, or similar area containing hazardous combustible vegetation, regardless of whether the property is currently located in a designated Fire Hazard Severity Zone or Wildland-Urban Interface Area, when materials and/or construction methods for exterior wildfire exposure were previously required at the property by the Building or Fire Code Official.

Exceptions:

Buildings of an accessory character classified as a Group U occupancy and not exceeding 120 square feet in floor area, when located at least 30 feet from an applicable building.
Buildings of an accessory character classified as a Group U occupancy of any size located at least 50 feet from an applicable building.
Buildings classified as a Group U Agricultural Building, as defined in section 202 of this code (see also Appendix C - Group U Agricultural Buildings), when located at least 50 feet from an applicable building.

Section R337.1.6 Fuel Modification Requirements for New Construction is hereby added as follows:

R337.1.6 Fuel Modification Requirements for New Construction. All new buildings to be built or installed in a Wildfire Risk Area shall comply with the following:

Preliminary fuel modification plans shall be submitted to and approved by the fire code official prior to or concurrently with the approval of any tentative map.
Final fuel modification plans shall be submitted to and approved by the fire code official prior to the issuance of a grading permit.
The fuel modification plans shall meet the criteria set forth in the Fuel Modification Section of OCFA Guideline C-05 "Vegetation Management Guideline - Technical Design for New Construction Fuel Modification Plans and Maintenance Program."

3.1.

The fuel modification plan shall include provisions for the maintenance of the fuel modification in perpetuity.

The fuel modification plan may be altered if conditions change. Any alterations to the fuel modification areas shall have prior approval from the fire code official.
All elements of the fuel modification plan shall be maintained in accordance with the approved plan and are subject to the enforcement process outlined in the Fire Code.

Section R403.1.3 is modified by deleting the exception for masonry stem walls:

In Seismic Design Categories D 0, D 1 and D 2 masonry stem walls without solid grout and vertical reinforcing are not permitted.

Section R405.1 shall be modified to read as follows:

. . .at least one sieve size larger than the tile joint opening or perforation and covered with not less than 6 inches (152 mm) of the same material.

Section R902.1 is amended by revising it to allow only class A or B roofs as follows:

b) Section R902.1 is amended by revising it to allow only class A or B roofs as follows:

R902.1 Roofing covering materials. Roofs shall be covered with materials as set forth in Sections R904 and R905. A minimum Class A or B roofing shall be installed in areas designated by this section. Classes A or B roofing required by this section to be listed shall be tested in accordance with UL 790 or ASTM E 108.

Exceptions:

Class A roof assemblies include those with coverings of brick, masonry and exposed concrete roof deck.
Class A roof assemblies also include ferrous or copper shingles or sheets, metal sheets and shingles, clay or concrete roof tile, or slate installed on noncombustible decks.

Section R902.1.2 is amended by revising it to require a minimum Class B roof as follows:

R902.1.2 Roof coverings within all other areas. The entire roof covering of every existing structure where more than 50 percent of the total roof area is replaced within any one-year period, the entire roof covering of every new structure, and any roof covering applied in the alteration, repair or replacement of the roof of every existing structure, shall be a fire-retardant roof covering that is at least Class B.

Section R902.1.3 is amended by revising it to require a minimum Class B roof as follows:

R902.1.3 Roof coverings within all other areas. The entire roof covering of every existing structure where more than 50 percent of the total roof area is replaced within any one-year period, the entire roof covering of every new structure, and any roof covering applied in the alteration, repair or replacement of the roof of every existing structure, shall be a fire-retardant roof covering that is at least Class A.

Section R902.2, first paragraph is amended by revising it to allow only Class A or B treated wood roofs as follows:

R902.2 Fire-retardant-treated shingles and shakes. Fire-retardant-treated wood shakes and shingles are wood shakes and shingles complying with UBC Standard 15-3 or 15-4 which are impregnated by the full-cell vacuum-pressure process with fire-retardant chemicals, and which have been qualified by UBC Standard 15-2 for use on Class A or B roofs.

Chapter 10 Chimneys and Fireplaces is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments:

Section R1001.13 Outdoor Fireplaces, Fire Pits, Fire Rings, or similar devices is hereby added as follows:

Section R1001.13.1 Gas-fueled devices is hereby added as follows:

R1001.13.1 Gas-fueled devices. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and similar devices fueled by natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas are allowed when approved by the Building Department and the device is designed to only burn a gas flame and not wood or other solid fuel. At R-3 occupancies, combustible construction shall not be located within three feet of an atmospheric column that extends vertically from the perimeter of the device. Where a permanent Building Department approved hood and vent is installed, combustible construction may encroach upon this column between the bottom of the hood and the vent opening. Where chimneys or vents are installed, they shall have a spark arrester in accordance with section R1003.9.2.

Section R1001.13.2 Devices using wood or fuels other than natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas is hereby added as follows:

R1001.13.2 Devices using wood or fuels other than natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas. Fireplaces burning wood or other solid fuel shall be constructed in accordance with section R1001. Fires in a fireplace shall be contained within a firebox with an attached chimney. The opening in the face of the firebox shall have an installed and maintained method of arresting sparks. The burning of wood or other solid fuel in a device is not allowed within 15 feet of combustible structures, unless within a permanent or portable fireplace.

Section R1001.13.3 Devices using wood or fuels other than natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas is hereby added as follows:

R1001.13.3 Where prohibited. The burning of wood and other solid fuels shall not be conducted within a fuel modification zone. Wood and other solid fuel burning fires in devices other than permanent fireplaces are not allowed within Wildfire Risk Areas (WRA) and adopted Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) or in locations where conditions could cause the spread of fire to the WRA or FHSZ, unless determined by the Fire Code Official that the location or design of the device should reasonably prevent the start of a wildfire.

R1001.14 Outdoor Fireplaces, Fire Pits, Fire Rings, or similar devices. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, fire rings, or similar exterior devices shall comply with this section.

Exception:

Barbeques, grills, and other portable devices intended solely for cooking

Chapter 44 Referenced Standards is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments:

NFPA 13, 2019 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems is hereby amended as follows:

Section 6.7.3 is hereby revised to read as follows:

6.7.3 Fire department connections (FDC) shall be of an approved type. The location shall be approved and be no more than 150 feet from a public hydrant. The FDC may be located within 150 feet of a private fire hydrant when approved by the fire code official. The size of piping and the number of 2½" inlets shall be approved by the fire code official. If acceptable to the water authority, it may be installed on the backflow assembly. Fire department inlet connections shall be painted OSHA safety red or as approved. When the fire sprinkler density design requires more than 500 gpm (including inside hose stream demand), or a standpipe system is included, four 2½" inlets shall be provided.

Section 8.3.3.1 is hereby revised to read as follows:

8.3.3.1 When fire sprinkler systems are installed in shell buildings of undetermined use (Spec Buildings) other than warehouses (S occupancies), fire sprinklers of the quick-response type shall be used. Use is considered undetermined if a specific tenant/occupant is not identified at the time the fire sprinkler plan is submitted. Sprinklers in light hazard occupancies shall be one of the following:

Quick-response type as defined in 3.6.4.8
Residential sprinklers in accordance with the requirements of 8.4.5
Quick response CMSA sprinklers
ESFR sprinklers
Standard-response sprinklers used for modifications or additions to existing light hazard systems equipped with standard-response sprinklers
Standard-response sprinklers used where individual standard-response sprinklers are replaced in existing light hazard systems

Section 11.1.1.1 is hereby added as follows:

11.1.1.1 When fire sprinkler systems are required in buildings of undetermined use other than warehouses, they shall be designed and installed to have a fire sprinkler density of not less than that required for an Ordinary Hazard Group 2 use, with no reduction(s) in density or design area. Warehouse fire sprinkler systems shall be designed to Figure 16.2.1.3.2 (d) curve "G". Use is considered undetermined if a specific tenant/occupant is not identified at the time the sprinkler plan is submitted. Where a subsequent use or occupancy requires a system with greater capability, it shall be the responsibility of the occupant to upgrade the system to the required density for the new use or occupancy.

Section 11.2.3.1.1.1 is hereby added as follows:

11.2.3.1.1.1 The available water supply for fire sprinkler system design shall be determined by one of the following methods, as approved by the fire code official:

Subtract the project site elevation from the low water level for the appropriate pressure zone and multiply the result by 0.433;
Use a maximum of 40 psi, if available;
Utilize the OCFA water-flow test form/directions to document a flow test conducted by the local water agency or an approved third party licensed in the State of California.

NFPA 13D 2024 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes is hereby amended as follows:

Section 7.1.2 is hereby revised to read as follows:

7.1.2 The sprinkler system piping shall not have separate control valves installed unless supervised by a central station, proprietary, or remote station alarm service.

Appendix O Vehicular Gates is adopted with only the section indicated below:

SECTION AO103.3 Vehicular gates or other barriers across required fire apparatus access roads is hereby added as follows:

AO103.3 Vehicular gates or other barriers across required fire apparatus access roads. The installation of gates or other barriers across a required fire apparatus access road shall be approved by the fire code official. Gates or barriers shall be in accordance with Orange County Fire Authority Guideline B-09 "Fire Master Plans for Commercial and Residential Development".

Appendix V Swimming Pools is added to article III, division 7 of chapter 10 in its amended and adopted in its entirety.

Appendix V California swimming pool safety act (statewide) of the California Building Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

115922 (a) Except as provided in section 115925, when a building permit is issued for the construction of a new swimming pool or spa or the remodeling of an existing swimming pool or spa, at a private, single-family home the respective swimming pool or spa shall be equipped with item #1. And at least one additional of the following seven drowning prevention safety features:

An enclosure that meets the requirements of section 115923 and isolates the swimming pool or spa from the private single-family home. Any walls of the single-family structure or accessory structures used to complete the isolation enclosure must have door openings equipped with protection as required in item #4 or #5. Any such door protection device provided for this purpose may not be used to comply with the second drowning prevention feature.
Removable mesh pool 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 key lockable device. The mesh fencing setback shall be not less than 20 inches from the water's edge.
An approved safety pool cover, as defined in subdivision (d) of section 115921.
Exit alarms on the private single-family home's doors that provide direct access to the swimming pool or spa. The exit alarm may cause either an alarm noise or a verbal warning, such as repeating notification that "the door to the pool is open".
A self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches (1372mm) above the floor on the private single-family home's doors providing direct access to the pool or spa.
An alarm that, when placed in a swimming pool or spa, will sound upon detection of accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water. These pool alarms shall meet and be independently certified to the ASTM Standard F2208 "Standard Safety 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, including an alarm attached to a child that sounds when the child exceeds a certain distance or becomes submerged in water, is not a qualifying drowning safety prevention feature.
Other means of protection, if the degree of protection afforded is equal to or greater than that afforded by any of the features set forth above and have been independently verified by an approved testing laboratory as meeting standards for those devices established by the ASTM or the American Society of Testing Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Prior to the issuance of any 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 act and if no violations are found, shall give final approval.