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Richmond · Building on your lot

Swimming pools in Richmond

Pools need a safety cover or drowning prevention feature and must be at least 15 feet from street side lines, 5 from interior lines.

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Key points

  • Pools: Pools need a safety cover or drowning prevention feature and must be at least 15 feet from street side lines, 5 from interior lines.

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

What Richmond's code says

Richmond code What Richmond's code adds
Pool barrier
  • An approved safety pool cover or another drowning prevention feature is required.
    Applies: Applies to all pools.
    § 15.04.601.140 · code text
    All pools must be equipped with an approved safety pool cover meeting the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials or have another drowning prevention safety feature, as required by the California Health and Safety Code.
Equipment and alarms
  • Filter equipment and pumps must be at least 15 feet from the main building on a neighboring lot.
    Applies: Pool and spa filter equipment and pumps; not allowed in front or street side yards.
    § 15.04.601.140 · code text
    Swimming pool or spa filtration equipment and pumps shall not be located in the front or street side yard and cannot be closer than 15 feet to the main building on an adjoining lot.
Setback from property lines
  • At least 15 feet from street side lot lines.
    Applies: Applies to street side lot lines.
    § 15.04.601.140 · code text
    The outside wall of the water-containing portion of any swimming pool or spa must be a minimum of 15 feet from street side lot lines, five feet from all interior lot lines, and five feet from the residence and any accessory dwelling unit on the site.
  • At least 5 feet from interior lot lines.
    Applies: Applies to interior lot lines.
    § 15.04.601.140 · code text
    The outside wall of the water-containing portion of any swimming pool or spa must be a minimum of 15 feet from street side lot lines, five feet from all interior lot lines, and five feet from the residence and any accessory dwelling unit on the site.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Richmond?

Pools need a safety cover or drowning prevention feature and must be at least 15 feet from street side lines, 5 from interior lines.

General information, not legal advice.

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

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Richmond Municipal Code — full text