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Rolling Hills Estates · Building on your lot

Swimming pools in Rolling Hills Estates

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

What Rolling Hills Estates's code says

Rolling Hills Estates code What Rolling Hills Estates's code adds
Pool barrier
  • Besides doors and gates, no openings over 50 square inches, unless rectangular and no more than 4 inches wide.
    § 8.36.050 · code text
    with no openings, except doors or gates with an area greater than fifty square inches, excepting that a rectangular opening, having no horizontal dimension exceeding four inches may have a greater area
  • Posts at least 3 by 3 inches, no more than 10 feet apart, embedded at least 18 inches.
    Applies: Applies to wood fences.
    § 8.36.050 · code text
    Wood fences shall have posts not less than three inches by three inches spaced not over ten feet on centers, and embedded at least eighteen inches into the ground.
  • wood fencing at least one-half inch thick and fastened to at least two rails not less than two inches by three inches
    Applies: wood fences
    § 8.36.050 · code text
    Fencing shall be at least one-half inch in thickness and fastened securely to at least two rails not less than two inches by three inches in cross section.
  • wire mesh of not less than eleven-gauge galvanized steel wire, supported on one and one-quarter inch diameter galvanized pipe spaced no more than ten feet on centers
    Applies: wire fences
    § 8.36.050 · code text
    Wire fences shall be constructed of wire mesh of not less than eleven-gauge galvanized steel wire supported on one and one-quarter inch diameter galvanized pipe spaced not over ten feet on centers.
  • Posts embedded at least 12 inches in concrete-filled holes at least 6 inches wide and 18 inches deep.
    Applies: Applies to wire fences.
    § 8.36.050 · code text
    Posts shall be embedded at least twelve inches into concrete fill-in holes not less than six inches in diameter and eighteen inches in depth.
  • Foundation at least 12 inches below grade, at least 12 inches wide and at least 6 inches thick.
    Applies: Applies to masonry fences.
    § 8.36.050 · code text
    Masonry fences shall be supported on a foundation of concrete extending at least twelve inches below grade, at least twelve inches in width, and at least six inches in thickness.
  • Wall steel must be embedded 16 diameters into the footing.
    Applies: Masonry fences, when wall steel is required.
    § 8.36.050 · code text
    Wall steel, when required, shall be embedded sixteen diameters into the footing.
  • A competent person always watching the filled pool can replace the fence; if unwatched, a pool cover may be used.
    § 8.36.050 · code text
    In lieu of maintaining a fence, the owner of the premises may provide a competent person who shall keep the pool under observation at all times while water is kept in the pool. In the event the pool is not under the observation of a competent person, a pool cover may be used.
Barrier height
  • At least 5 feet high.
    Applies: Fence, wall or structure around any pool, pond or water 2 feet deep or more.
    § 8.36.050 · code text
    a fence, wall or other structure not less than five feet in height
Equipment and alarms
  • Pool equipment needs a solid wall enclosure high enough to dampen noise, at most 6 feet tall, meeting zone setbacks.
    Applies: New pool equipment, or replacement of more than 50% of the value of existing pool equipment.
    § 8.32.200 · code text
    Any new pool mechanical equipment or replacement equipment (requiring replacement of more than fifty percent of the value of existing pool equipment) shall be enclosed in a block wall or similar solid wall structure high enough to dampen the noise from the pool equipment.
Gates
  • Self-closing, self-latching devices at least 4 feet above grade; gates fill the opening and stay latched when not in use.
    § 8.36.050 · code text
    All gates or doors opening through the fence or structure protecting a swimming pool as required by this section shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices not less than four feet above grade capable of keeping such gate or door securely closed at all times when not in actual use.
Setback from property lines
  • At least 5 feet.
    Applies: Distance from the pool's substructure to any side property line.
    § 17.06.240 · code text
    The substructure of a swimming pool shall be located not less than five feet from any side property line.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Rolling Hills Estates?

Rolling Hills Estates's code: Besides doors and gates, no openings over 50 square inches, unless rectangular and no more than 4 inches wide. (§ 8.36.050); Posts at least 3 by 3 inches, no more than 10 feet apart, embedded at least 18 inches. (Applies to wood fences.) (§ 8.36.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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