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La Verne · Building on your lot

Swimming pools in La Verne

La Verne's own rules on swimming pools, with the code text for every value, and the state law underneath.

Each rule below links to the section of the La Verne Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What La Verne's code says

La Verne code What La Verne's code adds
Pool barrier
  • No more than 2 inches between the ground and the bottom of the barrier.
    Applies: Measured on the side of the barrier away from the pool.
    § 15.28.060 · code text
    The vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be not greater than 2 inches (51 mm) measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool.
  • No more than 4 inches between the top of the pool and the bottom of the barrier.
    Applies: Applies when the pool top is above ground and the barrier is at ground level or mounted on the pool.
    § 15.28.060 · code text
    Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, the barrier is authorized to be at ground level or mounted on top of the pool structure, and the vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be not greater than 4 inches (102 mm).
  • Openings may not let a 4-inch sphere pass.
    § 15.28.060 · code text
    Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere.
  • Gaps between vertical members may be no more than 1¾ inches.
    Applies: Applies when the tops of horizontal members are less than 45 inches apart.
    § 15.28.060 · code text
    Spacing between vertical members shall be not greater than 1¾ inches (44 mm) in width.
  • Gaps between vertical members may be no more than 4 inches.
    Applies: Applies when the tops of horizontal members are 45 inches or more apart.
    § 15.28.060 · code text
    Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is 45 inches (1,143 mm) or more, spacing between vertical members shall be not greater than 4 inches (102 mm).
  • Gaps in decorative cutouts may be no more than 1¾ inches.
    Applies: Applies to decorative cutouts in vertical members.
    § 15.28.060 · code text
    Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall be not greater than 1¾ inches (44 mm) in width.
  • Mesh no larger than a 2¼-inch square, unless slats reduce openings to no more than 1¾ inches.
    Applies: Applies to chain-link fences.
    § 15.28.060 · code text
    Mesh size for chain link fences shall be not greater than a 2¼-inch square (57 mm square) unless the fence is provided with slats fastened at the top or the bottom that reduce the openings to not more than 1¾ inches (44 mm).
  • Openings between diagonal members may be no more than 1¾ inches.
    Applies: Applies to barriers made of diagonal members.
    § 15.28.060 · code text
    Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members, the opening formed by the diagonal members shall be not greater than 1¾ inches (44 mm).
  • Barriers must be placed so structures, equipment or similar objects cannot be used to climb them.
    § 15.28.060 · code text
    Barriers shall be located so as to prohibit permanent structures, equipment or similar objects from being used to climb the barriers.
  • No opening larger than 6 inches square, other than doors or gates.
    § 8.32.010 · code text
    a fence or other solid structure not less than five feet (1.52 meters) in height, with no opening therein, other than doors or gates, larger than six inches (15.24 centimeters) square.
Barrier height
  • At least 60 inches high.
    Applies: Measured on the side away from the pool. Not required for a pool with a power safety cover or a spa with a safety cover.
    § 15.28.060 · code text
    The top of the barrier shall be not less than 60 inches (1,219 mm) above grade measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool.
Equipment and alarms
  • Doors to the pool through a home wall need an audible alarm when opened, listed and labeled under UL 2017.
    Applies: Applies when a home wall is part of the barrier.
    § 15.28.060 · code text
    Doors with direct access to the pool through that wall shall be equipped with an alarm that produces an audible warning when the door or its screen, if present, are opened. The alarm shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2017.
Gates
  • All gates take a locking device. Pedestrian gates open outward from the pool, self-close and self-latch; other gates self-latch.
    § 15.28.060 · code text
    Pedestrian access doors or gates shall open outward away from the pool and shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device. Doors or gates other than pedestrian access doors or gates shall have a self-latching device.
  • Self-closing and self-latching. A latch reachable from outside must be at least 4 feet 10 inches above ground.
    § 8.32.010 · code text
    All gates or doors opening through such enclosure shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device, designed to keep and capable of keeping such door or gate securely closed at all times when not in actual use. Any such device that is accessible from outside the enclosure shall be a minimum of four feet ten inches (1.47 meters) above the ground;
Permit
  • Plans must show the barrier rules are met. Final inspection and approval are required before filling the pool.
    Applies: Applies to swimming pools, wading pools and fish ponds built after this rule took effect.
    § 15.28.070 · code text
    All plans hereafter submitted to the city for swimming pools, wading pools, or fish ponds to be constructed shall show compliance with the requirements of Section 15.28.060, and final inspection and approval of all such pools hereafter constructed shall be withheld until all requirements of Section 15.28.060 shall have been complied with.
Setback from property lines
  • At least 5 feet from the property line.
    Applies: Applies to swimming pools and pool mechanical equipment.
    § 15.28.080 · code text
    All swimming pools and mechanical equipment shall be set back by a minimum of five feet from the property line.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

What are the pool fence and setback rules in La Verne?

La Verne's code: No more than 2 inches between the ground and the bottom of the barrier. (Measured on the side of the barrier away from the pool.) (§ 15.28.060); No more than 4 inches between the top of the pool and the bottom of the barrier. (Applies when the pool top is above ground and the barrier is at ground level or mounted on the pool.) (§ 15.28.060).

General information, not legal advice.

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