What are the pool fence and setback rules in Arcadia?

Arcadia's code: The gap between the ground and the bottom of the barrier is at most 2 inches. (§ 8530.4); The gap between the top of the pool and the bottom of the barrier is at most 2 inches. (Applies when the barrier is mounted on top of an aboveground pool.) (§ 8530.4).

Swimming pools in Arcadia: the local rules

Arcadia code What Arcadia's code adds
Pool barrier	The gap between the ground and the bottom of the barrier is at most 2 inches. § 8530.4 · code text The maximum vertical clearance between finish grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be two (2) inches, as measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool, spa, or hot tub. The gap between the top of the pool and the bottom of the barrier is at most 2 inches. Applies: Applies when the barrier is mounted on top of an aboveground pool. § 8530.4 · code text Where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, the maximum vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be two (2) inches. Openings must not let a 4-inch ball pass through. § 8530.4 · code text Openings in the barrier shall not allow the passage of a four- (4) inch diameter sphere. Solid barriers must have no indentations or bumps, except tooled masonry joints. Applies: Applies to solid barriers without openings, such as masonry or stone walls. § 8530.4 · code text Solid barriers that do not have openings, such as masonry or stonewalls, shall not contain indentations or protrusions except for tooled masonry joints. Vertical members are no more than 1¾ inches apart. Applies: Applies when horizontal members are less than 45 inches apart. § 8530.4 · code text Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between each of the horizontal member is less than 45 inches, the horizontal members shall be located on the swimming pool, spa or hot tub side of the fence and the spacing between each vertical member shall not exceed 1-¾ inches. Gaps in decorative cutouts are at most ¾ inch wide. Applies: Applies to decorative cutouts in vertical members. § 8530.4 · code text Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed ¾ inches in width. Mesh openings are at most 1¼ inch square. Applies: Applies to chain link fencing without slats. § 8530.4 · code text Where chain link fencing is used, the maximum mesh size shall be 1-¼ inch square unless the fence is provided with slats fastened in place which reduces the openings to no more than 1-¾ inches. Openings are no more than 1¾ inches. Applies: Applies to chain link fencing with slats fastened in place. § 8530.4 · code text Where chain link fencing is used, the maximum mesh size shall be 1-¼ inch square unless the fence is provided with slats fastened in place which reduces the openings to no more than 1-¾ inches. Chain link fabric must be at least 11-gauge. Applies: Applies to chain link fencing. § 8530.4 · code text The chain link fence fabric shall be not less than 11-gauge material. Solid or dense landscaping does not count as a pool barrier. Applies: Applies when landscaping is offered as the barrier. § 8530.4 · code text Solid or dense landscaping shall not be used to meet the requirements of this section. Openings are at most 1¾ inches. Applies: Applies to barriers made of diagonal members, such as a lattice fence. § 8530.4 · code text Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members, such as a lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal members shall be not more than 1-¾ inches. Openings must not let a 4-inch ball pass through; no horizontal pickets that act as a ladder. Applies: Applies to legal non-conforming pools, spas or hot tubs permitted before June 19, 1992. § 8530.4 · code text The openings in the barrier shall not allow the passage of a four- (4) inch diameter sphere and horizontal pickets that act as a latter shall not be used.
Barrier height	At least 60 inches tall above finished grade. § 8530.4 · code text The top of the barrier shall be at least sixty (60) inches above finished grade, as measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool, spa or hot tub. At least 4 feet tall. Applies: Applies to legal non-conforming pools, spas or hot tubs permitted before June 19, 1992. § 8530.4 · code text A substantial fence or other solid structure not (1) less than four (4) feet in height, as measured from the side of the fence that does not enclose the swimming pool, spa or hot tub area, shall be provided.
Equipment and alarms	Doors and windows need an alarm sounding at least 30 seconds, or self-closing, self-latching doors with release 54+ inches up. Applies: Building wall with a pool-access door or window that is part of the barrier. Alarm resets automatically; deactivation lasts at most 15 seconds. § 8530.4 · code text The alarm shall sound continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds immediately after the door or window is opened and be loud enough to be heard throughout the house during normal household activities.
Gates	Gates take a lock; pedestrian gates open away from pool, self-close, self-latch, release 60+ inches up; sign required. Applies: Gates may not cross a driveway. Double or motor-operated gates are not allowed. § 8530.4 · code text Pedestrian-access gates shall open outward away from the swimming pool, spa or hot tub and shall be self-closing and self-latching. The release mechanism of the self-latching device shall be located not less than the sixty (60) inches above adjacent finished grade. Gates take a lock, self-close, self-latch, are 48+ inches high, release 48+ inches up; no driveway, double or motorized gates. Applies: Applies to legal non-conforming pools, spas or hot tubs permitted before June 19, 1992. § 8530.4 · code text Pedestrian access gates or door openings through the (2) barrier shall be equipped to accommodate a locking device and be self-closing and self-latching. The release mechanism of the self-latching device shall be located not less than forty-eight (48) inches above the adjacent finished grade.
Maintenance and empty pools	A safety barrier must fully surround the pool, spa or hot tub at all times. § 8530.1 · code text Every person in possession of land, either as owner, purchaser under contract, lessee, tenant or licensee, upon which is situated a swimming pool, spa, or hot tub shall at all times maintain a safety barrier as hereinafter specified completely surrounding said swimming pool, spa or hot tub.
Setback from property lines	At least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines. Applies: Applies in the R-M, R-0 and R-1 zones. § 9102.01.070 · code text Private swimming pools and spas may not be constructed and maintained in any required front yard, nor within five feet of any side or rear lot line, nor within 10 feet of the property line on the street side of a corner lot. At least 10 feet from the street-side property line of a corner lot. Applies: Applies in the R-M, R-0 and R-1 zones. § 9102.01.070 · code text Private swimming pools and spas may not be constructed and maintained in any required front yard, nor within five feet of any side or rear lot line, nor within 10 feet of the property line on the street side of a corner lot.

Swimming pools in Arcadia

What Arcadia's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Arcadia property

More on building on your lot in Arcadia