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Swimming pools in Los Angeles

Residential pool barriers must be at least 60 inches high, with at most 2 inches of clearance under the barrier.

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Key points

  • Pools: Residential pool barriers must be at least 60 inches high, with at most 2 inches of clearance under the barrier.

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

What Los Angeles's code says

Los Angeles code What Los Angeles's code adds
Pool barrier
  • At most 2 inches (50.8 mm) of vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier.
    Applies: Residential swimming pools; measured on the side of the barrier facing away from the pool.
    § 91.3109 · code text
    The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be 2 inches (50.8 mm) measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool.
  • At most 4 inches (101.6 mm) of vertical clearance.
    Applies: Applies where the top of the pool structure is above grade and the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure.
    § 91.3109 · code text
    Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, the barrier is permitted to be mounted on top of the pool structure, provided the maximum vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be 4 inches (101.6 mm), or at grade level.
Barrier height
  • At least 60 inches high.
    Applies: Residential pool barriers, including lots with 1 to 3 homes; measured on the side away from the pool.
    § 91.3109 · code text
    For residential swimming pools, the top of the barrier shall be at least 60 inches (1524 mm) above grade measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool.
  • At least 4½ feet high, including gates.
    Applies: Existing pools, fish ponds or other water 18 inches deep or more; new pools must meet the stricter building code rule.
    § 91.6109 · code text
    Every existing swimming pool, fish pond or other body of water, which contains water 18 inches (457.2 mm) or more in depth, shall be enclosed by a fence, the height of which, including gates, shall be not less than 4 1/2 feet (1371.6 mm) above the ground.
Gates
  • Gates must be self-latching, with the latch at least 4½ feet above the ground.
    Applies: Existing pools, fish ponds or other water 18 inches deep or more; new pools must meet the stricter building code rule.
    § 91.6109 · code text
    Gates shall be self-latching with the latch located 4 1/2 feet (1371.6 mm) minimum above the ground.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Los Angeles?

Residential pool barriers must be at least 60 inches high, with at most 2 inches of clearance under the barrier.

General information, not legal advice.

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Los Angeles Municipal Code — full text