In the same way that improvements are made to other laws and policies, there have been changes and updates to the legislation around having backyard pools in California. There was an original pool safety legislation set out in the 1990s, but in order to protect everyone and stay up-to-date, the most recent update was the California Poll Safety Act in 2018.
One of the reasons why this was needed was due to the increase in demand for backyard pools in California, as it has increased by a large number.
Updates on the regulations are also there to prevent drowning. There used to only be one safety feature required for drowning prevention, but as imagined, this has increased a lot to keep everyone as safe as possible. These days, as well as having pool fences, any new pools need to have at least two safety features. These include:
- Having an enclosure that isolates the backyard pool or hot tub from the house
- A mesh safety fence that helps to keep the backyard pool or hot tub separate
- A safety pool cover or an automatic cover for the pool which can be used when the pool is not in use
- Door alarms on any exterior doors
- A door closing and latch system that will lock high, at least 54-inches from the floor
- Having a pool alarm that meets standards set out, called ASTM F2208
Pools Built Before 2007
If you have a backyard pool in California that was built before 2007, then you don’t need to perry, as you aren’t required to have any extra safety elements to your backyard pool. You should just take steps to maintain the gates and the fence.
However, if there are any major renovations taking place to the pool, then you will need to stay up to date with the latest regulations. , or wherever you are based, will be able to advise you of the regulations, if you find that you are unsure.
Pools Built After 2007
If you have a pool that was installed and built after 2007, then you do need to have two of the above drowning prevention methods or safety features installed if your pool is in California.
You can choose the features that would work best for your home and family situation, such as door alarms if you have toddlers, or perhaps pool alarm, mesh fence around the pool, and a safety cover for cooler months. There is no excuse for not being aware of the legislation and rules, so make sure that you are up-to-date if you are the owner of a pool or moving to a home with a pool in California.
If you choose to have something more permanent, such as a brick wall or a structure around the pool that works as a solid barrier, then as far as compliance goes, this should work for most inspectors. Again, if you are unsure, speak to a California backyard pool specialist near you who could advise.
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