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Swimming pools in National City

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

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

What National City's code says

National City code What National City's code adds
Pool barrier
  • The bottom of the barrier at most 2 inches above the ground.
    Applies: Outdoor pools, hot tubs and spas; measured to a hard surface such as concrete.
    § 15.22.045 · code text
    The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be 2 inches measured to a hard surface such as concrete.
  • At most 4 inches between the top of the pool and the bottom of the barrier.
    Applies: A barrier mounted on top of an above-ground pool.
    § 15.22.045 · code text
    Where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, the maximum vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be 4 inches.
  • Openings must not let a 4-inch-diameter sphere pass through.
    Applies: Outdoor pools, hot tubs and spas.
    § 15.22.045 · code text
    Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch diameter sphere.
  • Decorative cutouts no wider than 2 inches.
    Applies: Barriers of horizontal and vertical members with horizontal tops less than 45 inches apart.
    § 15.22.045 · code text
    spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 2 inches in width
  • Vertical members no more than 4 inches apart.
    Applies: Barriers of horizontal and vertical members with horizontal tops less than 45 inches apart.
    § 15.22.045 · code text
    spacing between vertical members shall not exceed 4 inches.
  • Chain link mesh no larger than a 1-3/4-inch square.
    Applies: Chain link pool barriers.
    § 15.22.045 · code text
    Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be a 1¾-inch square.
  • Chain link wire not less than 11-1/2 gauge.
    Applies: Chain link pool barriers.
    § 15.22.045 · code text
    The wire shall be not less than 11½ gauge.
  • A rigid cover with a permanent locking and latching device may be used instead of a barrier.
    Applies: Outdoor hot tubs and spas of 64 square feet or less.
    § 15.22.045 · code text
    Hot tubs and spas located outdoors and not exceeding 64 square feet may have rigid pool covers meeting American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard F1346-91 equipped with a permanent locking and latching device in lieu of a required barrier.
Barrier height
  • At least 60 inches above the ground.
    Applies: Outdoor pools, hot tubs and spas; measured on the side away from the pool.
    § 15.22.045 · code text
    The top of the barrier shall be at least 60 inches above grade measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool
Equipment and alarms
  • Door alarm: sounds continuously at least 30 seconds, starts within 7 seconds, at least 85 dBA at 10 feet indoors.
    Applies: Required for doors with direct pool access through a home wall that is part of the barrier.
    § 15.22.045 · code text
    The alarm shall sound continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds, within 7 seconds after the door and its screen, if present, are opened, and be capable of providing a sound pressure level of not less than 85 DBA when measured indoors at 10 feet.
Gates
  • Locking device at least 54 inches above grade; pedestrian gates open outward, away from the pool, and self-close and self-latch.
    Applies: Applies to access gates.
    § 15.22.045 · code text
    Access gates shall comply with the requirements of items (1) through (7) and shall be equipped to accommodate a locking device no less that 54 inches above grade. Pedestrian access gates shall open outward away from the pool and shall be self-closing with a self-latching device.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

National City's code: At least 60 inches above the ground. (Outdoor pools, hot tubs and spas; measured on the side away from the pool.) (§ 15.22.045); Locking device at least 54 inches above grade; pedestrian gates open outward, away from the pool, and self-close and self-latch. (Applies to access gates.) (§ 15.22.045).

General information, not legal advice.

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National City Municipal Code — full text