What are the pool fence and setback rules in Los Gatos?

Los Gatos's code: Openings, holes or gaps, including between pickets, can be no more than 4 inches in any direction. (Fence, wall, hedge or structure around the pool or spa; except openings protected by doors or gates.) (§ 29.10.09020); The bottom must be within 4 inches of finished grade. (Fence or gate around the pool or spa.) (§ 29.10.09020).

Swimming pools in Los Gatos: the local rules

Los Gatos code What Los Gatos's code adds
Pool barrier	Openings, holes or gaps, including between pickets, can be no more than 4 inches in any direction. Applies: Fence, wall, hedge or structure around the pool or spa; except openings protected by doors or gates. § 29.10.09020 · code text Opening, holes or gaps in the fence (including picket fence opening widths) shall not exceed four (4) inches in any dimension, except for openings protected by doors or gates. The bottom must be within 4 inches of finished grade. Applies: Fence or gate around the pool or spa. § 29.10.09020 · code text The bottom of the fence or gate shall be constructed within four (4) inches of finished grade. Building walls, structures, natural barriers or listed pool covers holding human weight may be part of or replace the enclosure. Applies: Only if the Director of Building Services finds it adequate. § 29.10.09020 · code text Any building wall or structure, natural barrier (such as a hill or gully), listed pool covers (capable of supporting live loads due to human weight), which in the opinion of the Director of Building Services is adequate for such purpose, may be used as a part of or in-lieu of such enclosure.
Barrier height	At least 5 feet high. Applies: Fence, wall, hedge or structure fully enclosing a pool or spa. § 29.10.09020 · code text Every person who owns or possesses any premises where there is a swimming pool, or a spa shall maintain a fence, wall, hedge or structure at least five (5) feet high completely enclosing the pool or spa.
Equipment and alarms	Not in a required front yard; at least 10 feet from a property line when in a required side yard. Applies: Pool mechanical equipment. § 29.10.09020 · code text No mechanical equipment for operating a swimming pool shall be located in a required front yard nor within ten (10) feet of a property line when located in a required side yard.
Gates	Self-closing and self-latching, with the latch at least 3½ feet above the deck or walkway. Applies: Gates or doors in the enclosure; a door in a building wall that is part of the enclosure is exempt. § 29.10.09020 · code text Each gate shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device designed to keep the gate or door securely closed at all times when not in actual use, except that a door in a building wall which forms any part of the enclosure need not be so equipped. The latching device of the gate or door shall be at least three and one-half (3½) feet above the deck or walkway. Self-closing and self-latching; the device at least 4 feet 9 inches above ground or otherwise out of children's reach. Applies: Any gate or door in the enclosure. § 29.10.09020 · code text Any gate or door in the enclosure shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device effective to keep the gate or door securely closed at all times. The device shall either be placed at least four (4) feet nine (9) inches above ground level or shall otherwise be made inaccessible to children.
Permit	No zoning approval is required. Applies: When the pool is incidental to the lot's use, including pools for private homes. § 29.10.09020 · code text When use of a swimming pool is incidental to the use of the zoning plot on which it is located, no zoning approval is required. A permit from the Building Official is required. Applies: Enclosure exception: one-family home or farm lots of at least 5 acres; pool at least 200 feet from property lines and screened from streets. § 29.10.09020 · code text In such event, a permit shall be obtained from the Building Official, and the permit shall remain effective only as long as all conditions of this subsection continue to exist.
Setback from property lines	At least 5 feet from a property line. Also not in a required front yard or a required side yard along a street. § 29.10.09020 · code text No swimming pool shall be located within five (5) feet of a property line, nor in a required front yard, nor in a required side yard along a street.

Swimming pools in Los Gatos

What Los Gatos's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Los Gatos property

More on building on your lot in Los Gatos