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Orinda · Building on your lot

Swimming pools in Orinda

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

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

What Orinda's code says

Orinda code What Orinda's code adds
Pool barrier
  • No openings, holes or gaps larger than 4 inches, measured horizontally.
    Applies: Applies to new pools, except doors or gates.
    § 15.40.050 · code text
    with openings, holes or gaps therein no larger than four inches measured horizontally, except for doors or gates.
  • No openings, holes or gaps larger than 4 inches, measured horizontally.
    Applies: Existing pools deeper than 18 inches or larger than 250 square feet; a house or accessory building may form part of the enclosure.
    § 15.40.080 · code text
    with openings, holes or gaps therein no larger than four inches measured horizontally, except for doors or gates; provided, however, that a dwelling house or accessory building may be used as a part of such enclosure.
  • A building wall may form part of the fence, except a house wall with doors or exits to the pool.
    Applies: Applies to new pools.
    § 15.40.050 · code text
    A building wall may be used as part of such fence enclosure where it is not a dwelling house (residence) wall with doors or other exit openings to the pool.
  • The pool fence must be installed before the pool is put into use.
    Applies: New pools.
    § 15.40.050 · code text
    The fence shall be installed before the pool is put into use.
  • Existing pools need no fence when all conditions are met, including a lot of at least 20,000 square feet.
    Applies: No more than 4 homes within 250 feet; pool at least 300 feet from a school or public playground and 55 feet from adjacent homes.
    § 15.40.090 · code text
    The fence required by Section 15.40.080 need not be erected or maintained when all of the following conditions exist:
Barrier height
  • At least 4.5 feet high.
    Applies: Applies to the fence fully surrounding a new pool.
    § 15.40.050 · code text
    Every person in possession of land within the city, either as owner, purchaser under contract, lessee, tenant, licensee or otherwise, upon which land is situated a swimming pool shall maintain on the lot or premises upon which such pool is located, and completely surrounding such pool, a fence not less than four and one-half feet high
  • At least 4.5 feet high.
    Applies: Applies to existing pools deeper than 18 inches or larger than 250 square feet.
    § 15.40.080 · code text
    shall maintain on the lot or premises upon which such pool or body of water located, and completely surrounding such pool or body of water, a fence or wall not less than four and one-half feet high
Gates
  • Self-closing and self-latching; the latch at least 4 feet above ground or otherwise out of reach of small children.
    Applies: Applies to new pools.
    § 15.40.050 · code text
    All gates or doors opening through such fence enclosure shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device designed to keep, and capable of keeping, such door or gate securely closed at all times when not in actual use, and such latching shall be placed at least four feet above the ground level, or otherwise made inaccessible from the outside of the enclosure to small children.
  • Self-closing and self-latching; the latch at least 4 feet above ground or otherwise out of reach of small children.
    Applies: Existing pools; breezeways, garage back doors, and similar access points to the pool.
    § 15.40.080 · code text
    which shall be self-closing and self-latching, with such latching placed at least four feet above the ground level, or otherwise made inaccessible from the outside to small children.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Orinda?

Orinda's code: At least 4.5 feet high. (Applies to the fence fully surrounding a new pool.) (§ 15.40.050); At least 4.5 feet high. (Applies to existing pools deeper than 18 inches or larger than 250 square feet.) (§ 15.40.080).

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Orinda's swimming pools rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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