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Swimming pools in Santa Paula

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

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

What Santa Paula's code says

Santa Paula code What Santa Paula's code adds
Pool barrier
  • No more than 2 inches between the ground and the bottom of the barrier.
    Applies: Measured on the side of the barrier away from the pool.
    § 154.09 · code text
    The maximum vertical clearance between grade and bottom of the barrier shall be two inches (51 mm) measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool.
  • No more than 4 inches between the ground and the bottom of the barrier.
    Applies: Applies when the ground is a solid surface, such as a concrete deck, or the barrier sits on an above-ground pool.
    § 154.09 · code text
    The maximum vertical clearance at the bottom of the barrier may be increased to four inches (102 mm) when grade is a solid surface, such as a concrete deck, or when the barrier is mounted on top of the above-ground pool structure.
  • Horizontal members must be on the pool side when less than 45 inches apart.
    Applies: Applies to barriers with horizontal members.
    § 154.09 · code text
    When barriers have horizontal members spaced less than 45 inches (1143 mm) apart, the horizontal members shall be placed on the pool side of the barrier.
  • Decorative designs that make the barrier easy to climb are not allowed.
    Applies: Applies to protrusions, indentations or cutouts on the side away from the pool.
    § 154.09 · code text
    Any decorative design work on the side away from the swimming pool, such as protrusions, indentations or cutouts, which renders the barrier easily climbable, is prohibited.
  • Openings shall not allow passage of a one and three-fourths-inch-diameter (44 mm) sphere.
    § 154.09 · code text
    Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a one and three-fourths-inch-diameter (44 mm) sphere.
  • Openings may be larger, but may not let a 4-inch sphere pass.
    Applies: Applies when openings are 45 inches or more apart vertically.
    § 154.09 · code text
    When vertical spacing between such openings is 45 inches (1143 mm) or more, the opening size may be increased such that the passage of a four-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere is not allowed.
  • Gaps between vertical members may be up to 4 inches.
    Applies: Fences of vertical and horizontal members, when the tops of horizontal members are 45 inches or more apart.
    § 154.09 · code text
    For fencing composed of vertical and horizontal members, the spacing between vertical members may be increased up to four inches (102 mm) when the distance between the tops of horizontal members is 45 inches (1143) or more.
  • Chain link fences must be at least 11 gauge.
    Applies: Applies to chain link fences used as the barrier.
    § 154.09 · code text
    Chain link fences used as the barrier shall not be less than 11 gauge.
  • An adequate barrier that keeps small children from reaching the pool or body of water.
    Applies: Applies to anyone in possession of land with a pool, including owners and tenants.
    § 154.09 · code text
    Every person in possession of land within the city either as owner, purchaser under contract, lessee, tenant or licensee, upon which is situated a body of water as defined in § 154.02, shall erect and maintain thereon an adequate barrier sufficient to make such body of water inaccessible to small children.
Barrier height
  • At least 60 inches high.
    Applies: Measured on the side of the barrier away from the pool.
    § 154.09 · code text
    The top of the barrier shall be at least 60 inches (1524 mm) above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool.
Equipment and alarms
  • Doors with direct pool access need self-closing, self-latching devices, with release at least 54 inches above the floor.
    Applies: Applies when the Building Official approves this instead of a separation fence.
    § 154.09 · code text
    Self-closing and self-latching devices installed on all doors with direct access to the pool with the release mechanism located a minimum of 54 inches (1372 mm) above the floor.
Gates
  • Release at least 3 inches below the gate top, with no opening over 1/2 inch within 18 inches of it.
    Applies: Applies when the release is less than 54 inches from the bottom of the gate.
    § 154.09 · code text
    Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the barrier at least three inches (76 mm) below the top of the gate, and the gate and barrier shall have no opening greater than one-half inch (13 mm) within 18 inches (457 mm) of the release mechanism.
  • Lockable hardware or padlocks, kept locked when not in use.
    Applies: Applies to gates other than pedestrian access gates.
    § 154.09 · code text
    Any gates other than pedestrian access gates shall be equipped with lockable hardware or padlocks and shall remain locked at all times when not in use.
Setback from property lines
  • At least 3 feet from any property line.
    Applies: Pools, spas and pool equipment. Not allowed in front or side yard setbacks.
    § 16.52.020 · code text
    No swimming pool, hot tub, spa, or similar body of water, or pool equipment, may be located within three feet of any property line, or within any front or side yard setbacks.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Santa Paula?

Santa Paula's code: At least 60 inches high. (Measured on the side of the barrier away from the pool.) (§ 154.09); At least 3 feet from any property line. (Pools, spas and pool equipment. Not allowed in front or side yard setbacks.) (§ 16.52.020).

General information, not legal advice.

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