Santa Paula Municipal Code Ch. 154 Swimming Pools

The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards to protect life, limb, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality and materials and fencing of swimming pools and bodies of water. The Building Official is designated as the administrator of this chapter.

(Ord. 990, passed 11-6-95)

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

ABOVE GROUND/ON GROUND POOL. See the definition of “swimming pool.”

APPROVED SAFETY POOL COVER. 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.

BARRIER. A fence, wall, or building wall which completely surrounds the swimming pool and obstructs access to the swimming pool, spa or hot tub. When approved by the enforcement agency, BARRIERS may also incorporate natural or man-made features, such as topography, waterways, restricted areas and similar features including geographically isolated areas which provide an effective access barrier to the pool area.

BODY OF WATER. Pools, spas, hot tubs, man-made lakes, fish ponds, or any body of water which is capable of containing water 18 inches deep or deeper, but does not apply to plumbing fixtures (such as bathtubs), natural lakes, streams, or man-made irrigation or flood control channels.

GRADE. The underlying surface, such as earth or a walking surface.

HOT TUB. See the definition of “spa.”

IN-GROUND POOL. See the definition of “swimming pool.”

SEPARATION FENCE. A barrier which separates all doors of a building or building accessory thereto with direct access to a swimming pool, spa, hot tub from that swimming pool, spa or hot tub.

SPA. A structure intended for recreational bathing, designed to contain water over 18 inches (457 mm) deep or deeper and outside dimensions not exceeding 160 square feet (14.72 sq. meters).

SWIMMING POOL. Any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that is designed to contain water over 18 inches (457 mm) deep or deeper. This includes indoor, outdoor, in-ground, above-ground, on-ground swimming pools, fixed-in wading pools, and excludes spas.

SWIMMING POOL, OUTDOOR. Any swimming pool which is not an indoor swimming pool.

SWIMMING POOL, INDOOR. A swimming pool which is totally contained within a structure and surrounded on all sides, including the top, by said structure.

(Ord. 990, passed 11-6-95; Am. Ord. 1028, passed 7-6-99)

The distance from the inner surface of a swimming pool, spa or hot tub wall to a property line shall not be less than three feet.

(Ord. 990, passed 11-6-95) Penalty, see Ch. 13

Fees for plan checking and permits shall be as adopted in the Master Fee Schedule as adopted by ordinance of the City Council.

(Ord. 990, passed 11-6-95)

(A) General. Pool design and construction shall be in accordance with accepted engineering practice, shall be in conformity with applicable provisions of the adopted building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes, and shall be structurally suitable for the soil, topographic and geologic conditions prevailing at the construction site.

(B) Expansive soil design.

(1) Pools constructed below grade shall be designed on the assumption that their construction is to be in an area of moderately expansive soil having an expansion index of 51-90 and an equivalent fluid pressure of not less than 45 pounds per cubic foot (45 p.c.f.). Where tests indicate that soils at a pool site are non-expansive or have low expansion charac-teristics from the ground surface to the full depth of the pool, structural design may be based on an equivalent fluid pressure not less than 30 p.c.f.

(2) In highly expansive soils having an expansion index of 91-130, pools shall be designed for not less than 60 p.c.f. equivalent fluid pressure.

(3) In very highly expansive soils having an expansion index over 130, pool design shall be subject to special requirements based on a site investigation, soil testing, and engineering analysis by a registered civil engineer to determine appropriate design parameters for the site.

(C) Hydrostatic uplift. In areas of anticipated high water table an approved hydrostatic relief system or device shall be installed.

(D) Thermal protection for plastic piping.

(1) Between the inlet of pool water piping connected thereto, a check valve shall be installed to prevent thermal damage to such piping due to back flow.

(2) Between the outlet of the pool heating equipment and any plastic water piping connected thereto, not less than five feet of approved metal pipe shall be installed for the purpose of dissipating heat.

(E) Safeguarding suction drains. Bottom drains and suction intakes in pools and spas shall be covered with grates or other protective devices which cannot be removed except with tools. The slots or openings in these covers shall be of such area, shape and arrangement as to prevent bathers from being drawn thereto with such force as to constitute a safety hazard.

(F) Grab bars. Wherever egress from a pool by bathers is restricted by the presence of a vertical wall or other barrier which extends more than 12 inches above the water surface at the pool's edge, permanent handrails, grab bars, or equivalent device(s) shall be installed within 12 inches of the water surface, capable of being securely grasped and adequate to support the weight of a user of the pool.

(Ord. 990, passed 11-6-95) Penalty, see Ch. 13

(A) General. A deck shall be provided around below-grade swimming pools except when a special engineering design is furnished which indicates that such deck is not necessary for the purpose of main-taining the structural integrity of the pool and/or for controlling surface water and moisture content in the soil adjacent to the pool. Decks shall not be required for spas and hot tubs.

(B) Deck design and construction.

(1) Required decks shall be constructed of concrete or other approved impervious material and shall be sloped to provide positive drainage away from the perimeter of the pool. Except as provided below, decks shall have a minimum width of four feet and shall be at least three and one-half inches in thickness. Reinforcement shall be #3 bars spaced not over 24 inches o.c. each way, or equivalent reinforcing.

(2) Approved joints shall be provided in the deck at corners, at maximum 10 foot intervals, and wherever necessary in order to control cracking, to allow for differential movement, and to minimize damage to the deck from such movement should it occur.

(C) Cutoff walls.

(1) At the outer perimeter of pool decks, a cutoff wall of approved material shall be installed below grade to a depth of at least 15 inches so as to form a permanent and effective vertical moisture barrier.

(2) Exceptions:

(a) A cutoff wall may be omitted when a deck at least six feet wide is installed.

(b) Decks less than four feet in width may be installed provided that the required cutoff wall is increased in depth beyond the minimum by an amount directly proportional to the reduction in deck width.

(D) Pre-saturation, highly expansive soils. When the soil below the deck has an expansion index of 91 or greater it shall be saturated with water to a depth of at least 18 inches prior to installation of the deck.

(Ord. 990, passed 11-6-95) Penalty, see Ch. 13

(A) Surface water adjacent to other properties. When a pool deck extends to within three feet of any adjacent property, means shall be provided to conduct splash water to a satisfactory point of disposal.

(B) Waste water. Pool waste water and swimming pool or spa deck drains shall be collected and conducted through non-erosive devices and drain to the street, storm drain or other approved disposal area. Prior to emptying a pool or spa, the waste water shall be dechlorinated and then may be discharged into the street storm drain system in a manner approved by the Public Works Director.

(C) Drywells. Drywells shall not be employed for pool waste water disposal except when specifically approved for the purpose and when it has been deter-mined that such installations are not likely to have adverse effects on the structural stability of the pool and other structures on the site. The Building Official may require a percolation test, soils report and/or geological report to make such a determination.

(Ord. 990, passed 11-6-95; Am. Ord. 1028, passed 7-6-99) Penalty, see Ch. 13

Special inspection as required by Chapter 17 in the Uniform Building Code shall be provided for pneumatically placed concrete (shotcrete/gunite) in swimming pools.

(Ord. 990, passed 11-6-95)

(A) Every person in possession of land within the city either as owner, purchaser under contract, lessee, tenant or licensee, upon which is situated a body of water as defined in § 154.02, shall erect and maintain thereon an adequate barrier sufficient to make such body of water inaccessible to small children.

(B) When barriers are required, the barrier shall comply with the following:

(1) The top of the barrier shall be at least 60 inches (1524 mm) above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance between grade and bottom of the barrier shall be two inches (51 mm) measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance at the bottom of the barrier may be increased to four inches (102 mm) when grade is a solid surface, such as a concrete deck, or when the barrier is mounted on top of the above-ground pool structure. When barriers have horizontal members spaced less than 45 inches (1143 mm) apart, the horizontal members shall be placed on the pool side of the barrier. Any decorative design work on the side away from the swimming pool, such as protrusions, indentations or cutouts, which renders the barrier easily climbable, is prohibited.

(2) (a) Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a one and three-fourths-inch-diameter (44 mm) sphere.

(b) Exceptions.

1. When vertical spacing between such openings is 45 inches (1143 mm) or more, the opening size may be increased such that the passage of a four-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere is not allowed.

2. For fencing composed of vertical and horizontal members, the spacing between vertical members may be increased up to four inches (102 mm) when the distance between the tops of horizontal members is 45 inches (1143) or more.

(3) Chain link fences used as the barrier shall not be less than 11 gauge.

(4) Access gates shall comply with the requirements of subdivisions (1) through (3). Pedestrian access gates shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device. Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the barrier at least three inches (76 mm) below the top of the gate, and the gate and barrier shall have no opening greater than one-half inch (13 mm) within 18 inches (457 mm) of the release mechanism. Pedestrian gates shall swing away from the pool. Any gates other than pedestrian access gates shall be equipped with lockable hardware or padlocks and shall remain locked at all times when not in use.

(5) (a) Where a wall of a Group R, Division 1 or 3 Occupancy or Group U, Division 1 Occupancy serves as part of the barrier and contains door openings between the dwelling unit and the outdoor swimming pool, which provide direct access to the pool, a separation fence meeting the require-ments of subdivisions (1) through (4) shall be provided.

(b) Exception: when approved by the Building Official, one of the following may be used:

1. Self-closing and self-latching devices installed on all doors with direct access to the pool with the release mechanism located a minimum of 54 inches (1372 mm) above the floor.

2. An alarm installed on all doors with direct access to the pool. The alarm shall sound continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds immediately after the door and its screen, if present, are opened, and be capable of providing a sound pressure level of not less than 85 dBA when measured indoors at 10 feet (3048 mm). The alarm shall automatically reset under all conditions. The alarm system shall be equipped with a manual means, such as a touchpad or switch, to temporarily deactivate the alarm for a single opening. Such deactivation shall last no longer than 15 seconds. The deactivation switch shall be located at least 54 inches (1372 mm) above the threshold of the door.

3. A spa or hot tub with a locking safety cover which complies with the ASTM Standard F 1346-91 shall not be required to provide other barriers. Where a locking safety cover is not provided, the spa or hot tub shall comply with the requirements of subdivisions (1) through (5) of this division.

4. The pool is equipped with an approved safety pool cover.

5. Other means of protection may be acceptable so long as the degree of protection afforded is not less than that afforded by any of the devices described above.

(6) Where an above-ground pool structure is used as a barrier or where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, and the means of access is a ladder or steps, then the ladder or steps shall be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access or the ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier which meets the requirements of subdivisions (1) through (5) of this division. When the ladder or steps are secured, locked or removed, any opening created shall be protected by a barrier complying with subdivisions (1) through (5) of this division.

(7) Doors with direct access to an indoor swimming pool shall comply with this chapter.

(8) The provisions of this chapter shall be completed and approved in writing before a pool or body of water shall be filled. All persons main-taining existing pools or bodies of water shall comply with the provisions of this section.

(9) The Building Official may permit alternative means of pool protection, provided the protection is not less than that provided by the fencing, gates, latches and alarms described in this section.

(Ord. 990, passed 11-6-95; Am. Ord. 1028, passed 7-6-99) Penalty, see Ch. 13