Swimming pools in California City: the local rules

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

What California City's code says

California City code What California City's code adds
Pool barrier	The barrier can have no openings large enough for a child to get through. § 8-5.01 · code text Such fence, wall, or other structure shall be not less than five (5) ft. in height with no openings large enough to admit a child, except through doors or gates as set forth in this chapter. Doors and gates must completely fill any opening in the fence, wall or other structure. § 8-5.03 · code text The doors and gates required by this chapter shall completely fill any opening in a fence, wall, or other structure and shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device on the inside capable of keeping such gate or door locked. Posts at least 3x3 inches, at most 10 feet apart, set at least 18 inches in the ground. Applies: Wood fences or walls: redwood or pressure-treated posts; vertical boards at least ½ inch thick on at least 2 rails 1¾ by 3 inches. § 8-5.04 · code text Redwood or pressure-treated posts shall be not less than three (3) in. by three (3) in., shall be set not more than ten (10) ft. apart and shall be embedded at least eighteen (18) in. in the ground. Galvanized mesh at least 11 gauge; galvanized pipe poles at least 1¼ inches wide, at most 10 feet apart. Applies: Wire fences or walls; poles set at least 12 inches in concrete in post holes 6 inches wide and 18 inches deep. § 8-5.04 · code text Wire shall be galvanized mesh, minimum eleven (11) gauge, with galvanized pipe poles at least one and one-fourth (1¼ in. diameter spaced not more than ten (10) ft. apart. Concrete footings at least 12 inches wide and 6 inches thick, with the bottom at least 12 inches below ground. Applies: Applies to masonry or stone walls. § 8-5.04 · code text Masonry or stone walls shall have concrete footings at least twelve (12) in. wide and six (6) in. thick, with the bottom not less than twelve (12) in. below the ground surface.
Barrier height	The barrier must be at least 5 feet high. Applies: Applies to swimming pools, fish ponds, wading pools and other artificial outdoor water 18 inches deep or more. § 8-5.01 · code text Every person who owns or possesses a premises where there is a swimming pool, fish pond, wading pool, or other outside body of water created by artificial means, having a water depth of eighteen inches (18") or more, shall maintain a fence, wall, or other adequate structure to make such body of water inaccessible to small children. Such fence, wall, or other structure shall be not less than five (5) ft. in height with no openings large enough to admit a child, except through doors or gates as set forth in this chapter.
Gates	Self-closing, self-latching on the inside; lock at least 4 feet above grade or out of small children's reach from outside. § 8-5.03 · code text The doors and gates required by this chapter shall completely fill any opening in a fence, wall, or other structure and shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device on the inside capable of keeping such gate or door locked. The locking device shall be located not less than four (4) ft. above grade or be inaccessible from the outside to small children.
Maintenance and empty pools	Keep a fence, wall or other adequate structure that keeps small children away from the water. Applies: Applies to pools, fish ponds, wading pools and other artificial outdoor water 18 inches deep or more. § 8-5.01 · code text Every person who owns or possesses a premises where there is a swimming pool, fish pond, wading pool, or other outside body of water created by artificial means, having a water depth of eighteen inches (18") or more, shall maintain a fence, wall, or other adequate structure to make such body of water inaccessible to small children.

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What are the pool fence and setback rules in California City?

California City's code: The barrier must be at least 5 feet high. (Applies to swimming pools, fish ponds, wading pools and other artificial outdoor water 18 inches deep or more.) (§ 8-5.01); Self-closing, self-latching on the inside; lock at least 4 feet above grade or out of small children's reach from outside. (§ 8-5.03).

Swimming pools in California City

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