Swimming pools in Ridgecrest: the local rules

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

What Ridgecrest's code says

Ridgecrest code What Ridgecrest's code adds
Pool barrier	No openings large enough for a child to pass, except through doors or gates. Applies: Pools, wading pools, fish ponds and other artificial water 18 inches or more deep. § 102-162 · code text Such fence, wall or other structure must be not less than five feet in height with no openings large enough to admit a child except through doors or gates as hereinafter provided. Wood posts at least 3 by 3 inches, at most 10 feet apart, set at least 18 inches deep. Applies: Wood fences. Boards at least 1/2 inch thick, fastened to at least 2 rails of at least 2 by 3 inches. § 102-165 · code text Redwood or pressure treated posts not less than three inches by three inches, set not more than ten feet apart, embedded at least 18 inches in the ground. Vertical boards at least one-half-inch thick shall be fastened securely to not less than two horizontal rails at least two inches by three inches in dimension. Galvanized mesh at least 11 gauge; pipe posts at least 1¼ inches across, at most 10 feet apart. Applies: Wire fences. Posts set at least 12 inches in concrete, in holes 6 inches across and 18 inches deep. § 102-165 · code text Galvanized wire mesh, minimum 11 gauge, with galvanized pipe posts of at least 1¼-inch diameter spaced not more than ten feet apart. Posts shall be set not less than 12 inches in concrete, in post holes six inches in diameter and 18 inches deep. A concrete footing at least 12 inches wide, 6 inches thick, and 12 inches below ground; steel embedded in it. Applies: Applies to masonry fences or walls. § 102-165 · code text Shall have concrete footing at least 12 inches wide and six inches thick, with a bottom not less than 12 inches below the ground surface. Any wall reinforcing steel shall be embedded in the footing.
Barrier height	At least 5 feet high. Applies: Fences or walls around pools, wading pools, fish ponds and other artificial water 18 inches or more deep. § 102-162 · code text Such fence, wall or other structure must be not less than five feet in height with no openings large enough to admit a child except through doors or gates as hereinafter provided.
Gates	Self-closing, self-latching devices on the inside, at least 4 feet above grade or out of small children's reach. Applies: Applies to pools, ponds and other bodies of water. § 102-164 · code text All doors or gates shall be of such size as to completely fill any opening in the fence, wall, or other structure and shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices on the inside capable of keeping such gate or door located not less than four feet above grade or otherwise be inaccessible from the outside to small children. Locks must stay locked whenever the pool, pond or water is not in actual use. Applies: Applies when locks are used instead of self-closing and self-latching devices. § 102-164 · code text In lieu of such self-closing and self-latching devices, said doors and gates may be equipped with locks which shall be kept locked at all times when said pool, pond or other body of water is not in actual use;

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What are the pool fence and setback rules in Ridgecrest?

Ridgecrest's code: At least 5 feet high. (Fences or walls around pools, wading pools, fish ponds and other artificial water 18 inches or more deep.) (§ 102-162); Self-closing, self-latching devices on the inside, at least 4 feet above grade or out of small children's reach. (Applies to pools, ponds and other bodies of water.) (§ 102-164).

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