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Yuba County · Building on your lot

Swimming pools in Yuba County

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

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

What Yuba County's code says

Yuba County code What Yuba County's code adds
Pool barrier
  • The gap from the ground to the bottom of the enclosure can be at most 2 inches.
    § 10.40.040 · code text
    A maximum vertical clearance from the ground to the bottom of the enclosure of two inches.
  • Gaps cannot let a sphere 4 inches or more in diameter pass through.
    § 10.40.040 · code text
    Gaps or voids, if any, do not allow passage of a sphere equal to or greater than four inches in diameter.
  • The outside surface must have no handholds or footholds that could help a child under 5 climb over.
    § 10.40.040 · code text
    An outside surface free of protrusions, cavities, or other physical characteristics that would serve as handholds or footholds that could enable a child below the age of five years to climb over.
  • Spaces between vertical members can be at most 1¾ inches wide.
    Applies: Where the tops of horizontal members are less than 45 inches apart.
    § 10.40.040 · code text
    Space between vertical members shall not exceed 1¾ inches in width.
  • Spaces between vertical members can be at most 4 inches wide.
    Applies: Where the tops of horizontal members are 45 inches or more apart.
    § 10.40.040 · code text
    Where the enclosure is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the top of the horizontal members is 45 inches or more, spacing between vertical members shall not exceed four inches in width.
  • Chain-link mesh can be at most a 1¼-inch square.
    Applies: Chain-link fences without slats that reduce openings to 1¾ inches or less.
    § 10.40.040 · code text
    Maximum mesh size for chain-link fences shall be a 1¼-inch square, unless the fence is provided with slats fastened at the top or the bottom which reduce the openings to no more than 1¾ inches.
  • Openings can be at most 1¾ inches.
    Applies: Chain-link fences with slats fastened at the top or bottom.
    § 10.40.040 · code text
    Maximum mesh size for chain-link fences shall be a 1¼-inch square, unless the fence is provided with slats fastened at the top or the bottom which reduce the openings to no more than 1¾ inches.
  • The wire must be at least 9 gauge.
    Applies: Chain-link fences.
    § 10.40.040 · code text
    The wire shall not be less than 9 gauge.
  • Openings between diagonal members can be at most 1¾ inches.
    Applies: Enclosures with diagonal members, such as lattice fences.
    § 10.40.040 · code text
    Where the enclosure is composed of diagonal members, such as a lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal members shall be no more than 1¾ inches.
  • With the ladder or steps secured, locked or removed, no opening can let a 4-inch sphere pass.
    Applies: An above-ground pool used as the enclosure, or with an enclosure on top.
    § 10.40.040 · code text
    When the ladder or steps are secured, locked or removed, any opening created shall not allow the passage of a four-inch diameter sphere.
  • A new pool needs at least 1 drowning-safety feature, such as an enclosure, cover or alarm, inspected before final approval.
    Applies: New pools at private single-family homes built under a construction permit, except as the code otherwise provides.
    § 10.40.035 · code text
    Commencing January 1, 2007, except as provided in Section 10.40.050, whenever a construction permit is issued for construction of a new swimming pool at a private, single-family home it shall be equipped with at least one of the following safety features:
Barrier height
  • At least 60 inches high.
    Applies: The pool enclosure.
    § 10.40.040 · code text
    A minimum height of 60 inches.
Gates
  • Gates must open away from the pool and self-close, with a self-latching device at least 60 inches above ground.
    § 10.40.040 · code text
    Any access gates through the enclosure shall open away from the swimming pool, and shall be self-closing with a self-latching device placed no lower than 60 inches above the ground and comply with items (3) through (9).
Setback from property lines
  • At least 5 feet.
    Applies: Above-ground pools or spas, from interior side and rear lot lines.
    § 11.19.100 · code text
    The outside wall of the water-containing portion of any swimming pool or spa shall be located at least five feet from all interior side and rear lot lines for above ground pools or spas and three feet for in ground pools or spas.
  • At least 3 feet.
    Applies: In-ground pools or spas, from interior side and rear lot lines.
    § 11.19.100 · code text
    The outside wall of the water-containing portion of any swimming pool or spa shall be located at least five feet from all interior side and rear lot lines for above ground pools or spas and three feet for in ground pools or spas.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Yuba County?

Yuba County's code: The gap from the ground to the bottom of the enclosure can be at most 2 inches. (§ 10.40.040); Gaps cannot let a sphere 4 inches or more in diameter pass through. (§ 10.40.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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