Lancaster Municipal Code Art. IV Swimming Pools

Every person who shall own or be in possession of any premises on which there is situated a swimming pool, fish pond, or other outside body of water created by artificial means, designed or used for swimming or other immersion purposes, by men, women or children, any portion of which is two feet deep or more and the surface area of the water in which does not exceed ten thousand (10,000) square feet, shall erect and maintain on such lot or premises, and completely surrounding such body of water, lot or premises, a fence, wall or other structure, which fence, wall or other structure complies with the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 3-6.32)

Every person who owns, operates or maintains a private swimming pool for the use of himself, his family or friends in the city shall post or display a sign or poster which is clearly visible from any point immediately adjacent to such pool, which is protected against the elements, and which describes and illustrates the proper procedures for giving both mouth-to-mouth and manual artificial respiration. Every such sign or poster shall also contain the following statements or information:

A. A statement that in case of need, mouth-to-mouth or manual artificial respiration should be started immediately and should be continued until a physician arrives or until mechanical resuscitators are applied;

B. The words "FIRE DEPARTMENT PARAMEDIC RESCUE UNIT" followed by the telephone number of the nearest Los Angeles County fire department dispatcher;

C. The location and telephone number of the nearest emergency hospital or other emergency treatment facility and of the nearest physician; and

D. The telephone number of the nearest ambulance service.

(Prior code § 3-6.33)

Every contractor or other person, firm, co-partnership, association or corporation constructing any private swimming pool which is subject to the provisions of Section 8.04.210 shall upon completion of such swimming pool, erect a sign or poster which in all respects complies with the requirements of Section 8.04.210.

(Prior code § 3-6.34)

The fence, wall, or other structure required by this chapter shall be not less than five feet high, measured from the existing surface to the top of the fence or wall on the side of the fence or wall opposite the side towards the pool, with no openings except doors or gates within an area greater than fifty (50) square inches, except that a rectangular opening having no horizontal dimension exceeding four inches, may have a greater area.

(Prior code § 3-6.35)

Wood fences shall have posts not less than three inches by three inches, spaced not over ten (10) feet on centers, and embedded at least eighteen (18) inches into the ground. Posts, other than redwood, shall be treated with a preservative. Fencing shall be at least one-half inch in thickness and fastened securely to at least two rails not less than two inches by three inches in cross-section.

(Prior code § 3-6.36.)

Wire fences shall be constructed of wire mesh of not less than eleven (11) gauge galvanized steel wire supported on one and one-fourth inch diameter galvanized pipe spaced not over ten (10) feet on centers. Posts shall be embedded at least twelve (12) inches into concrete fill-in holes not less than six inches in diameter and eighteen (18) inches in depth.

(Prior code § 3-6.37)

Masonry fences shall be supported on a foundation of concrete extending not less than twelve (12) inches below grade, not less than twelve (12) inches in width, and not less than six inches in thickness. Wall steel, when required, shall be embedded sixteen (16) inches in diameter into the footing.

(Prior code § 3-6.38)

If the city engineer finds that any other type of construction has resulted in, or will result in, a fence in all respects the equivalent in strength and durability to a fence constructed as provided in Section 8.04.240, 8.04.250 or 8.04.260, such type of construction may be used.

(Prior code § 3-6.39)

All fences or walls exceeding six feet in height shall comply with the provisions of Los Angeles County Ordinance No. 2225.

(Prior code § 3-6.40)

All gates or doors opening through the fence or structure protecting a swimming pool as required by this chapter shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices not less than four feet above grade capable of keeping such gate or door securely closed at all times when not in actual use.

(Prior code § 3-6.41)

All doors or gates shall be of such size as to completely fill any opening in the fence or wall. The owner or person in possession of the premises on which such swimming pool exists shall keep such doors and gates closed and securely latched at all times when such swimming pool is not in use.

(Prior code § 3-6.42)

This chapter does not apply to portable swimming pools which are so designed that the water in them can, at no time, exceed two feet in depth but does apply to all other portable swimming pools.

(Prior code § 3-6.43)

Any person owning, maintaining, operating or in possession of a pool or pond as defined in this chapter and who is in violation of this chapter, is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be arrested and taken immediately before the magistrate by the sheriff or released after giving his written promise to appear before the magistrate as provided in Los Angeles County Ordinance No. 6723.

(Prior code § 3-6.44)