Chapter 15.20 — SWIMMING POOL CODE

This chapter shall apply to all swimming pools, as herein defined, in the City. (Ord. 1534 § 1, 2002; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the meaning herein specified, unless, for the context, a different meaning is intended:

"ANSI/APSP performance standard" means a standard that is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and published by the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP).

"Approved safety pool cover" means 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.

"Enclosure" means a fence, wall, or other barrier that isolates a swimming pool from access to the home.

"Exit alarms" means devices that make audible, continuous alarm sounds when any door or window that permits access from the residence to the pool area that is without any intervening enclosure, is opened or is left ajar. Exit alarms may be battery operated or may be connected to the electrical wiring of the building.

"Public swimming pools" means a swimming pool operated for the use of the general public with or without charge, or for the use of the members and guests of a private club. "Public swimming pool" does not include a swimming pool located on the grounds of a private single-family home.

"Suction outlet" means a fitting or fixture typically located at the bottom or on the sides of a swimming pool that conducts water to a recirculating pump.

"Swimming pool" or "pool" means any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 18 inches deep. "Swimming pool" includes in-ground and aboveground structures and includes, but is not limited to, hot tubs, spas, portable spas, and nonportable wading pools.

(Ord. 22-1738 § 6)

No person, shall do or cause to permit to be done, any swimming pool construction, reconstruction, enlargement or installation without first securing a permit therefor from the Building Department.

(Ord. 1534 § 1, 2002; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

A separate permit shall be obtained for each swimming pool at each separate location. (Ord. 1534 § 1, 2002; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

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City of Norwalk, CA

BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION

§ 15.20.050

§ 15.20.090

Permits may be issued to holders of a valid State license which specifically permits the building of swimming pools, holders of a valid State A-1 and B-1 general licenses or the owner of the property. All contractors are subject to a City business license tax, as set forth in Chapter VII, Business Licenses, of this Code, but payment of such tax is not a condition to issuance of a permit.

(Ord. 1534 § 1, 2002; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every swimming pool permit shall be issued in conformity with the provisions of this section, and all work done and installations made under such permit shall conform to the provisions of this section and of any Building, Plumbing, Electrical or other Code, as adopted by this Code, effective at the time of issuance of permit.

(Ord. 1534 § 1, 2002; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Applications for permits shall be accompanied by plans, in duplicate, showing compliance with the requirements of this section, and shall be in sufficient detail to show, in addition to those matters which are or may be required to be shown pursuant to the Building Code for buildings and structures:

• A. Plot plan;

• B. Pool dimension, depths and volume in gallons;

• C. Type and size of filter system, filtration and backwash capacities;

• D. Pool piping layout with all pipe sizes shown and type of material;

• E. The pool pump capacity;

• F. Waste disposal system; and

• G. Pool fencing or enclosure system. The Building Department may require plans and specifications to be prepared and designed by an engineer or architect licensed by the State to practice as such.

(Ord. 1534 § 1, 2002; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Fees for pool permits shall be based upon the valuation of the pool, pursuant to the scale set forth in the Building Code as adopted herein. All construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the City Building Inspector. (Ord. 1534 § 1, 2002; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Work requiring a permit shall not be commenced or carried on unless and until the permit holder or his or her agent shall have posted and maintained the inspection record card in a conspicuous place.

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City of Norwalk, CA

NORWALK CODE

§ 15.20.090

§ 15.20.140

• (Ord. 1534 § 1, 2002; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

No work shall be done beyond the point indicated in each inspection without the approval of the City Building Inspector. There shall be a final inspection when construction has been completed and the installation is ready for use.

(Ord. 1534 § 1, 2002; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The Building Inspector, upon notification by the permit holder or his or her agent, shall make inspections upon completion of the following stages of the work, and shall either approve that portion of the work as completed or shall notify the permit holder or his or her agent wherein the same fails to comply with the law:

• A. Pool steel;

• B. Equipment housing;

• C. Underground wiring, waste water connection and plumbing;

• D. Pool decking and drainage;

• E. Enclosure (including all gates and doors into required enclosure); and

• F. Final inspection including gas pressure test, final wiring, and fence. (Ord. 1534 § 1, 2002; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

All swimming pool plans submitted to the City shall show compliance with this section. Final inspection and approval of all pools for which permits have been issued shall be withheld until all requirements have been complied with. Final inspection and approval of all pools shall be withheld until the fencing requirements of this Section have been met, and no pool shall be filled with any water prior to inspection and approval of pool equipment and enclosure system. (Ord. 1534 § 1, 2002; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

• A. Equipment Pit. No pool equipment pit shall be located within two feet of any property line or within any public utility easement.

• B. Pool Excavations. No pool excavation shall be less than one inch from the property line for each one inch of depth below grade unless the Building Department shall determine that a lesser setback will not impair the structural soundness of the pool or of any other existing structure on or off the property.

C. Pool. No pool shall be within the required front yard. (Ord. 1534 § 1, 2002; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

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City of Norwalk, CA

BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION

§ 15.20.140

§ 15.20.160

• A. Approval Required. Swimming pool wastewater shall be disposed of as herein set forth in this section and the type of disposal provided shall be approved by the administrative authority prior to the commencement of any work. A means of disposal of the total contents of the pool (periodic emptying) without surface runoff shall be established to the satisfaction of the administrative authority.

• B. Disposal. The following are legal methods of swimming pool wastewater disposal:

  1. To a public sewer.

  2. On the property if the property is large enough to ensure that runoff will not encroach on abutting property or onto the stormwater system.

  3. In the case where connection to the public sewer is not available within 200 feet (60,960 mm) from the property, alternate disposal acceptable to the State Regional Water Quality Control Board (SRWQCB) may be used. Prior to discharge the swimming pool must be tested by the owner to insure that it is within all water quality standards established by the SRWCQB. Contact Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Environmental Programs Division for information.

• C. Connections. No direct connection shall be made between any storm drain, sewer, drainage system, drywell or subsoil irrigation line and any line connected to a swimming pool.

• D. Trap. Wastewater from any filter, scum gutter overflow, pool emptying line or similar apparatus or appurtenance when discharging to any part of a drainage system, shall be provided with a three-inch (76 mm) trap.

• E. Air Gap. Except as provided in subsection F, the discharge outlet terminal from any pool or filter shall be protected from backflow by an air gap at least six inches above the flood rim of the receptor.

• F. Clearance. No scum gutter drain, overflow drain, backwash discharge drain, or pool emptying line shall enter any receptor below the rim unless the pool piping at its deepest point, the bottom of the filters, and bottom of the scum gutter drain trough or overflow inlets are at least six inches (152 mm) above the overflow rim of the receptor.

• G. Water Supply. A positive point of potable water supply to each swimming pool shall be established and shall be installed as required by Chapter 6 of the Plumbing Code.

• H. Health Department Approval. Plans for other than private swimming pools shall be approved by the Health Officer before any water supply or waste discharge permit is issued.

• (Ord. 1534 § 1, 2002; Ord. 16-1683 § 6; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Public and semi-public pools shall be built in accordance with all the rules and regulations of the County Health Department, and the plans therefor shall bear the signature of the County Health Officer before being submitted to the Building Department. The requirements of the City Health Code, as specified in Chapter 8.04 of this Code, shall, as to other than private residential pools, be deemed requirements in addition to those specified in this section, and in case of conflict, the more stringent regulation of the same subject shall prevail.

(Ord. 1534 § 1, 2002; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

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City of Norwalk, CA § 15.20.160

NORWALK CODE

§ 15.20.175

Lights used to illuminate a swimming pool or the deck thereof shall be so arranged and shaded as to reflect light away from any adjoining premises.

(Ord. 1534 § 1, 2002; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

No diving board shall be erected or constructed or maintained on any pool unless the pool has a depth of eight feet or greater for the distance between the front end of the board and a point 10 feet in front there-of.

(Ord. 1534 § 1, 2002; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

• A. Public Swimming Pools. Public swimming pools shall be completely enclosed by a fence at least five feet (1,613 mm) in height or a screen enclosure. Openings in the fence shall not permit the passage of a four-inch diameter (102 mm) sphere. The fence or screen enclosure shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates. For additional requirements on public swimming pools, see Building Code Chapter 31B.

• B. Private Swimming Pools. New or remodel pools or spas, at a private single-family home, shall have an enclosure complying with the amended California Residential Code, Appendix CI.

(Ord. 07-1601 § 2; Ord. 10-1633 § 2; Ord. 19-1709 § 6; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 22-1738 § 6; Ord. 25-1761, 11/18/2025)

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City of Norwalk, CA