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Swimming pools in San Pablo

San Pablo's own rules on swimming pools, with the code text for every value.

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

What San Pablo's code says

San Pablo code What San Pablo's code adds
Pool barrier
  • Openings, holes or gaps no larger than 4 inches, measured horizontally.
    Applies: Applies to pools or outdoor bodies of water deeper than 18 inches or larger than 250 square feet in surface area.
    § 15.24.050 · code text
    with openings, holes or gaps therein no larger than four inches measured horizontally, except for doors or gates
  • No pool fence is needed if all conditions are met, including a lot of at least 20,000 square feet.
    Applies: At most 4 homes within 250 feet; pool at least 300 feet from a school or public playground and 55 feet from a neighbor's home.
    § 15.24.070 · code text
    The fence required by this chapter need not be erected or maintained when all of the following conditions exist:
  • The fence must be installed before a newly built pool is put into use.
    § 15.24.060 · code text
    The fence required by this chapter shall be installed around all pools within ninety days from and after the effective date of this chapter and before any newly constructed pool is put into use.
  • The fence may be omitted if existing vegetation, landscaping or topography is a suitable barrier to keep children out.
    Applies: Applies when the building inspector grants an exception.
    § 15.24.080 · code text
    The building inspector may grant an exception to the requirements of fencing a swimming pool when he finds that there is a barrier existing on the premises by reason of vegetation, landscaping or topography suitable to protect children from straying into the pool.
Barrier height
  • At least four and one-half feet
    Applies: Pools or other outdoor bodies of water deeper than eighteen inches or with a surface area exceeding two hundred fifty square feet
    § 15.24.050 · code text
    a fence or wall not less than four and one-half feet in height, with openings, holes or gaps therein no larger than four inches measured horizontally
Gates
  • Gates and doors through the enclosure must be self-closing.
    Applies: House doors that form part of the enclosure are exempt, except breezeways, back garage doors and similar structures.
    § 15.24.050 · code text
    All gates or doors opening through such enclosure shall be equipped with a self-closing device designed to keep, and capable of keeping, such door or gate securely closed at all times when not in actual use;
  • Must be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch at least 4 feet above ground or out of children's reach.
    Applies: Applies to breezeways, back garage doors and similar structures that give access to pools.
    § 15.24.050 · code text
    back doors of garages, and similar structures, affording access to pools which shall be self-closing and self-latching, with such latching placed at least four feet above the ground level, or otherwise made inaccessible from the outside to small children.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

What are the pool fence and setback rules in San Pablo?

San Pablo's code: At least four and one-half feet (Pools or other outdoor bodies of water deeper than eighteen inches or with a surface area exceeding two hundred fifty square feet) (§ 15.24.050); Gates and doors through the enclosure must be self-closing. (House doors that form part of the enclosure are exempt, except breezeways, back garage doors and similar structures.) (§ 15.24.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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