Palmdale Municipal Code Art. V Swimming Pools

Every person who owns or is 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 10,000 square feet shall erect and maintain on the lot or premises, and completely surrounding the body of water, lot or premises, a fence, wall or other structure, which fence, wall or other structure complies with the provisions of this article.

(Ord. 379 § 501, 1980)

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 the 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 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.

(Ord. 379 § 501.1, 1980)

Every contractor or other person, firm, copartnership, association or corporation constructing any private swimming pool which is subject to the provisions of PMC § 8.08.310 shall, upon completion of the swimming pool, erect a sign or poster which in all respects complies with the requirements of PMC § 8.08.310.

(Ord. 379 § 501.2, 1980)

The fence, wall, or other structure required by this article 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, with an area greater than 50 square inches, except that a rectangular opening having no horizontal dimension exceeding four inches may have a greater area.

(Ord. 379 § 502, 1980)

Wood fences shall have posts not less than three inches by three inches, spaced not over 10 feet on centers, and embedded at least 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.

(Ord. 379 § 503, 1980)

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

(Ord. 379 § 504, 1980)

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

(Ord. 379 § 505, 1980)

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 PMC § 8.08.040, 8.08.050, or 8.08.060, such type of construction may be used.

(Ord. 379 § 506, 1980)

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

(Ord. 379 § 507, 1980)

All gates or doors opening through the fence or structure protecting a swimming pool as required by this article shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices no less than four feet above grade capable of keeping the gate or door securely closed at all times when not in actual use.

(Ord. 379 § 508, 1980)

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 the swimming pool exists shall keep the doors and gates closed and securely latched at all times when the swimming pool is not in use.

(Ord. 379 § 509, 1980)

This article 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.

(Ord. 379 § 510, 1980)

Any person owning, maintaining, operating or in possession of a pond or pool as defined in this article 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 County Ordinance No. 6723.

(Ord. 379 § 511, 1980)