Paso Robles · Building on your lot

Swimming pools in Paso Robles

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

What Paso Robles's code says

Paso Robles code What Paso Robles's code adds
Pool barrier	Openings, gaps or voids may not let a 4-inch sphere pass. § 17.12.010 · code text Any openings, gaps, or voids, if any, in the barrier shall not allow passage equal to or greater than a four-inch diameter sphere; Solid barriers may have no dents or bumps, except tooled masonry joints. Applies: Solid barriers without openings, such as masonry or stone walls. § 17.12.010 · code text Solid barriers which do not have openings, such as masonry or stone walls, shall not contain indentations or protrusions excepting tooled masonry joints; Spacing between vertical members and decorative cutouts no more than one and three-quarters inches Applies: Barrier with horizontal members less than forty-eight inches apart § 17.12.010 · code text Spacing between vertical members shall not exceed one and three-quarters inches in width. If there are decorative cutouts, they shall not exceed one and three-quarters inches in width; Spaces between vertical members may be no more than 4 inches. Applies: Barriers with horizontal members 48 inches or more apart. § 17.12.010 · code text If the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members if forty-eight inches or more, spacing between vertical members shall not exceed four inches. Openings in decorative cutouts no more than one and three-quarters inches Applies: Barrier with horizontal members forty-eight inches or more apart § 17.12.010 · code text If there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacings or openings within the cutouts shall not exceed one and three-quarters inches in width; Mesh no larger than 2 inches. Applies: Chain link or wire fences. § 17.12.010 · code text The maximum mesh size for chain link or wire fences shall be two inches structure. Wire no lighter than 12 gauge. Applies: Chain link or wire fences. § 17.12.010 · code text The wire shall not be less than twelve gauge; Openings between diagonal members no more than one and three-quarters inches Applies: Lattice or other diagonal-member barriers § 17.12.010 · code text If the barrier is composed of diagonal members, such as a lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal members shall be no more than one and three-quarters inches; Fabric mesh fencing does not meet the barrier requirements. Applies: All swimming pools. § 21.53.020 · code text Fabric mesh fencing shall not meet the requirements of this section. A fence, wall or structure must fully surround the water to keep children out. Applies: Pools, spas, hot tubs and similar water 1.5 feet or deeper, up to 10,000 square feet; single-family or duplex lots may enclose pool area. § 17.12.010 · code text shall maintain a fence, wall, or other structure on the lot or premises completely surrounding such body of water to make same inaccessible to children. A temporary enclosure meeting the same rules may be used from excavation; the permanent one goes in by final inspection. Applies: Pools under construction. § 17.12.010 · code text The temporary enclosure is to be removed and the permanent enclosure installed in conjunction with installation of the finish decking around the pool or prior to final inspection. A pool may not be filled before the required fence is built; violation is a misdemeanor. Applies: Pools that must be fenced. § 17.12.030 · code text Every person who fills with water [or] causes the filling with water any swimming pool required to be fenced by this chapter before the required fence is erected is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Barrier height	At least 5 feet high. Applies: Measured on the side of the barrier facing away from the pool. § 17.12.010 · code text The top of the barrier shall be at least five feet above the grade measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool;
Equipment and alarms	Filter and heating systems at least 20 feet from others' homes, screened from offsite view by a solid fence. Applies: R-1 zoning districts. § 21.53.020 · code text Filter and heating systems for pools and spas shall not be located closer than twenty feet to any dwelling other than the property owner's and shall be fully screened from view offsite by a solid fence.
Gates	Gates must meet barrier rules and take a lock; pedestrian gates open outward, self-close and self-latch; other gates self-latch. § 17.12.010 · code text Each access gate shall comply with the requirements of subsections (A)(1) through (A)(7) of this section, inclusive, and shall be equipped to accommodate a locking device. If the release is under 54 inches high: on the pool side, no opening over 1/2 inch within 18 inches. Applies: Gates other than pedestrian access gates. § 17.12.010 · code text If the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than fifty-four inches from the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate and the barrier shall have no opening greater than one-half inch maximum dimension within eighteen inches of the release mechanism.
Setback from property lines	At least 3 feet, measured from the water's edge. Applies: R-1 zoning districts; side or rear property lines. § 21.53.020 · code text Swimming pools shall be located a minimum of three feet from any side or rear property line, as measured from the edge of the water.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Paso Robles?

Paso Robles's code: Openings, gaps or voids may not let a 4-inch sphere pass. (§ 17.12.010); Solid barriers may have no dents or bumps, except tooled masonry joints. (Solid barriers without openings, such as masonry or stone walls.) (§ 17.12.010).

General information, not legal advice.

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