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Morgan Hill · Building on your lot

Swimming pools in Morgan Hill

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

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

What Morgan Hill's code says

Morgan Hill code What Morgan Hill's code adds
Pool barrier
  • Less than 2 inches between the ground and the bottom of the enclosure.
    § 15.66.040 · code text
    The vertical clearance from the ground to the bottom of the enclosure shall be less than two inches.
  • Gaps may not let a 4-inch-diameter sphere pass through.
    § 15.66.040 · code text
    Gaps or voids in all required enclosures shall not allow a sphere of four inches in diameter to pass through.
  • The enclosure must have no protrusions, cavities or other handholds or footholds a small child could use to climb over.
    § 15.66.040 · code text
    The enclosure shall be free of protrusions, cavities or other physical characteristics that would serve as handholds or foothold that would allow a small child to climb over the enclosure from the outside of the enclosure.
  • The barrier must be at least 4 feet from the nearest edge of the pool.
    § 15.66.040 · code text
    Such fence, wall, or structure shall be not less than five feet in height at all points and shall be located a minimum of four feet from the nearest edge of the pool.
Barrier height
  • At least 5 feet high at all points.
    § 15.66.040 · code text
    Such fence, wall, or structure shall be not less than five feet in height at all points and shall be located a minimum of four feet from the nearest edge of the pool.
Equipment and alarms
  • The door alarm must sound continuously at 85 dB at 10 feet for at least 30 seconds and reset automatically.
    Applies: A door from a building directly into the pool enclosure, when it has an approved door alarm.
    § 15.66.040 · code text
    The alarm shall sound continuously at eight-five dB at ten feet for a minimum of thirty seconds and shall automatically reset under all conditions.
  • The alarm must sound within 7 seconds after the door, and its screen if any, is opened.
    Applies: Door alarm option for a door opening directly into the enclosure.
    § 15.66.040 · code text
    The alarm shall sound within seven seconds after the door and its screen, if present, are opened.
  • A 15-second temporary bypass switch at least 54 inches above the threshold.
    Applies: Door alarms.
    § 15.66.040 · code text
    A fifteen-second temporary bypass switch shall be located at least fifty-four inches above the threshold.
Gates
  • Must open away from the pool, be self-closing, and have a self-latching device at least 60 inches above the ground.
    Applies: Access gates through the pool enclosure.
    § 15.66.040 · code text
    Any access gate through the enclosure shall open away from the pool, be self-closing and be equipped with a self-latching device not lower than sixty inches above the ground.
  • Must be self-closing with a self-latching mechanism at least 54 inches above the threshold, or have an approved door alarm.
    Applies: A door from a building that opens directly into the pool enclosure.
    § 15.66.040 · code text
    Any door that opens directly into the enclosure from a structure shall be self-closing and be equipped with a self-latching mechanism at least fifty-four inches above the threshold or be equipped with an approved door alarm.
Maintenance and empty pools
  • The required enclosure and all its parts must be maintained.
    § 15.66.050 · code text
    Any person who is required by the terms of this chapter to provide an adequate enclosure for a swimming or wading pool shall maintain the enclosure and all elements that create the enclosure.
  • May not be removed, replaced or changed in a way that makes it a weaker safety barrier.
    Applies: Existing pool enclosures.
    § 15.66.050 · code text
    An existing pool enclosure shall not be removed, replaced or changed in a manner that reduces its effectiveness as a safety barrier.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Morgan Hill?

Morgan Hill's code: Less than 2 inches between the ground and the bottom of the enclosure. (§ 15.66.040); Gaps may not let a 4-inch-diameter sphere pass through. (§ 15.66.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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

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