Skip to content

Monrovia · Building on your lot

Swimming pools in Monrovia

Monrovia'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 Monrovia Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Monrovia's code says

Monrovia code What Monrovia's code adds
Pool barrier
  • No more than 2 inches between grade and the bottom of the barrier.
    Applies: Measured on the side away from the pool.
    § 15.16.060 · code text
    The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be two inches, measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool or outside body of water.
  • Up to 4 inches between grade and the bottom of the barrier is allowed.
    Applies: Existing barriers for pools permitted before February 1, 1994.
    § 15.16.060 · code text
    An existing barrier erected to protect a swimming pool for which a building permit was issued prior to February l, 1994 may have a vertical clearance of four inches at the bottom of the barrier.
  • Openings may not let a 4-inch sphere pass or give ladder-like access.
    Applies: Occasional openings or cutouts in solid barriers.
    § 15.16.060 · code text
    Solid barriers may have occasional openings or cutouts provided such openings or cutouts shall not allow passage of a four-inch-diameter sphere and further provided that such openings or cutouts do not afford ladder-like access.
  • Tops of horizontal members must be at least 30 inches apart.
    Applies: Picket or vertical rail barriers.
    § 15.16.060 · code text
    Such horizontal members shall be spaced so that the distance between the tops of the horizontal members are not less than 30 inches;
  • Picket spacing may not let a 1¾-inch sphere pass.
    Applies: Picket fences where the tops of horizontal members are less than 45 inches apart.
    § 15.16.060 · code text
    Where the distance between the tops of horizontal members is less than 45 inches, the spacing between vertical rails or pickets shall not allow the passage of a 1¾-inch sphere.
  • Picket spacing may not let a 4-inch sphere pass.
    Applies: Picket fences where the tops of horizontal members are 45 inches or more apart.
    § 15.16.060 · code text
    Where such distance is 45 inches or more, the spacing between vertical rails or pickets shall not allow the passage of a four-inch sphere;
  • Pickets may stop a 4-inch sphere regardless of rail spacing, if there is no ladder-like access.
    Applies: Existing picket or rail fences for pools permitted before February 1, 1994.
    § 15.16.060 · code text
    Existing picket or vertical rail fences erected to protect a swimming pool for which a building permit was issued prior to February l, 1994 may have vertical members spaced so that they will not allow passage of a four-inch diameter sphere regardless of the distance between the tops of horizontal members, provided however, that such existing fences were not constructed in such a manner as to create ladder-like access.
  • Openings may not let a 1¼-inch sphere pass.
    Applies: Chain link or diagonal (lattice) barriers.
    § 15.16.060 · code text
    Openings in chain link barriers or barriers composed of diagonal members, such as a lattice fence, shall not allow passage of a 1¼-inch sphere.
  • At least No. 9 gauge wire.
    Applies: Chain link fences.
    § 15.16.060 · code text
    Chain link fences shall be constructed of not less than No. 9 gauge wire.
  • Any opening left after the ladder or steps are secured or removed may not let a 4-inch sphere pass.
    Applies: Above-ground pool ladders or steps that are secured, locked or removed.
    § 15.16.060 · code text
    When the ladder or steps are secured, locked or removed, any opening created shall not allow the passage of a four-inch-diameter sphere.
  • Posts set in concrete; wood posts nominal 4 by 4 inches, treated or naturally decay-resistant.
    Applies: Barrier supporting posts.
    § 15.16.060 · code text
    Supporting posts for barriers shall be set in concrete. Wood posts shall be treated or a wood of natural resistance to decay, as these terms are defined in the Building Code, and shall have nominal dimensions of four inches by four inches.
Barrier height
  • At least 5 feet above grade.
    Applies: Measured on the side of the barrier away from the pool.
    § 15.16.060 · code text
    The top of the barrier shall be at least five feet above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool or outside body of water.
Equipment and alarms
  • Large windows that may give access to a pool must have an alarm system.
    Applies: Large windows the Building Official finds may give pool access.
    § 15.16.060 · code text
    Large windows which, in the opinion of the Building Official, may provide potential access to a swimming pool, shall be equipped with an alarm system;
  • Doors opening directly to an indoor pool must meet the alarm rules for dwelling walls.
    Applies: Indoor swimming pools.
    § 15.16.060 · code text
    Doors with direct access to an indoor swimming pool shall comply with division (G) of this section.
Gates
  • Gates open outward from the pool and self-close and self-latch; latches at least 4 feet 6 inches above grade.
    Applies: Pedestrian access gates.
    § 15.16.060 · code text
    Pedestrian-access gates shall open outward away from the swimming pool or outside body of water and shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device designed to keep, and capable of keeping such gate securely closed and latched at all times when not in actual use. Latches shall be mounted not less than four feet six inches above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool or outside body of water.
  • Gates must be able to take a locking device.
    Applies: Access gates.
    § 15.16.060 · code text
    Access gates shall comply with the provisions of divisions (B) through (E) of this section and shall be equipped to accommodate a locking device.
Maintenance and empty pools
  • A barrier must fully enclose the pool or outdoor body of water and be maintained.
    § 15.16.030 · code text
    Every person, firm or corporation in possession of land within the city, either as owner, purchaser under contract lessee, tenant or licensee, upon which is situated a swimming pool or outside body of water subject to this chapter, shall erect and maintain on the lot or premises upon which the swimming pool or outside body of water is situated, a barrier which shall completely enclose such swimming pool or outside body of water and which shall comply with § 15.16.060.
Permit
  • A separate building permit for the barrier is required before the pool steel inspection.
    Applies: Barrier construction.
    § 15.16.040 · code text
    A separate building permit for construction of the barrier shall be obtained as required by the Building Code prior to inspection of pool reinforcing steel.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Monrovia?

Monrovia's code: No more than 2 inches between grade and the bottom of the barrier. (Measured on the side away from the pool.) (§ 15.16.060); Up to 4 inches between grade and the bottom of the barrier is allowed. (Existing barriers for pools permitted before February 1, 1994.) (§ 15.16.060).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Monrovia property

Ask GoCodebook how Monrovia's swimming pools rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in Monrovia