Policy and Procedure No: B-04-10

Purpose

This handout establishes a procedure for complete plan review submittals for proposed swimming pools, hot tubs and spas in private residential single-family homes (Group R-3 Occupancies). Enclosure provisions also apply to the design and construction of swimming pools based on the currently adopted California Residential Code. Approval must therefore be obtained from the Planning and Building Divisions before commencing any work.

Permits Required

A building permit is required for the following type of construction:

  • Indoor and outdoor swimming pools
  • In-ground and above-ground spas or hot tubs
  • Prefabricated pools installed entirely above- ground with a capacity greater than 5,000 gallons or 18 inches or greater in depth.

Definitions

Approved Safety Pool Cover

A manually or power-operated safety cover that meets all of the performance standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), in compliance with Standard F 1346-91.

Enclosure

A fence, wall or other barrier that isolates a swimming pool from access to the home.

Exit Alarms

Devices that make audible, continuous alarm sounds when any door that permits access from the residence to the pool area that is without any intervening enclosure, is opened or is left ajar. Exit alarms may be battery operated or may be connected to the electrical wiring of the building.

The alarm shall sound continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds within seven seconds after the door and its screen, if present, are opened, the alarm shall be listed in accordance with UL 2017 and be capable of being heard throughout the house during normal household activities. The alarm shall automatically reset under all conditions; it shall be equipped with a manual means, such as a touchpad or switch, to temporarily deactivate the alarm for a single opening. Such deactivation shall not last longer than 15 seconds. The deactivation switch shall be located at least 54-in above the threshold of the door.

Swimming Pool or Pool

Any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 18 inches deep. This includes in- ground, above-ground, and on-ground swimming pools; hot tubs; portable and non-portable spas; and fixed in-place wading pools.

Safety Features: See Residential Swimming Pool Enclosure Requirements and Safety Feature Handout. *Safety feature shall be installed with the intended and listed use.

Exempt Facilities* - safety features do not apply to any of the following: public swimming pools; hot tubs or spas with locking safety covers that comply with the American Society for Testing Materials – Emergency Performance Specification (ASTM-ES 13-89).

Enclosures

An enclosure shall have all of the following characteristics:

  1. Any access gates through the enclosure shall open away from the swimming pool and be self-closing with a self-latching device placed no lower than 60 inches above the ground.
  2. A minimum height of 60 inches.
  3. A maximum vertical clearance from the ground to the bottom of the enclosure of 2 inches.
  4. Gaps or voids, if any, do not allow passage of a sphere equal to or greater than 4 inches in diameter.
  5. An outside surface free of protrusions, cavities or other physical characteristics that would serve as handholds or footholds that could enable a child below the age of five years to climb over.

Agreements to Build and Notice of Provisions

Any person entering into an agreement to build a swimming pool shall give the consumer notice of the requirements of this article (Health and Safety Code Section 115924; AB 3305, Statutes 1996, C.925).

Registration and Submittal Requirements

All residential swimming pool and spa submittals shall be submitted online using the eTRAKiT permit portal. To access the portal, you must first register.

Licensed Contractor Registration

You will receive an email confirmation after you’ve submitted the registration form. Please allow up to 48 hours for processing. Once registered, you will receive an email providing you with a Username and directions on how to access the site.

All Other Applicants 

Public Account Registration

Once registered, you can access eTRAKiT

Project Submittal Requirements

  • A completed Application for Permit
  • A complete set of plans must be submitted to the Building Department; Plans will be distributed to Planning and Building Inspection and Safety for review.
  • An electronic stamped and signed structural calculation report and steel schedules prepared by a professional engineer licensed in the State of California.
  • Payment of fees shall be made during the application submittal phase. If the scope of work requires additional items, a permit technician will notify you of the additional items needed and the method of making any additional payments.

Plan Review Timelines

Allow a minimum of three business days for the review and processing of a residential pool permit. A Permit Technician will contact you if additional information is needed or if the submittal has been approved.

Information

  1. Swimming Pools

    • Site plans
      Shall include lot dimensions, location of all existing building structures, public utility easements, any existing/proposed retaining walls and drainage. Setback distances from all property lines and building structures to the swimming pool; include any glazing surfaces (provide tempered glazing for windows and doors less than 60-in above the pool side and within 5-ft to water’s edge of pool). Enclosure information such as fences, gates, doors exiting to pool area - including garage doors - and exit alarm mechanism. Location of pool equipment (3-ft minimum to adjacent property lines) disconnects and breaker size; receptacle outlets within 20-ft of the pool; type of conduit (metal or plastic); existing service panel and amperage (underground or overhead); location and size for gas meter. Location of A/C or other mechanical equipment within proximity of pool location (5-ft minimum distance or separated by a permanent barrier) Location of hose bibs within 20-ft of the pool and depth of pool.
    • Structural plans
      Construction details and steel schedule wet-stamped and signed by a licensed engineer.
    • Approvals
      Approval from Homeowners Association is highly recommended.

  2. Self-contained (Portable) Hot Tubs and Spas

    • Site plan
      Shall include lot dimensions, locations of all existing building structures, easements and other utilities. Setback distances from all property lines and building structures to the hot tub/spa.

      If the self-contained spa or hot tub is equipped with a listed safety cover, the enclosure requirements noted above are exempted.

      Location of disconnects and breaker size; receptacle outlets within 20-ft of the hot tub/spa; type of conduit (metal or plastic); existing service panel and amperage.

Inspections

  1. Swimming Pools

    • Pre-gunite:

      Structural check involves location, excavation and steel placement; equipment pad; grading and removal of excess soil.

      Plumbing check involves return line, fill line and all other piping (minimum 35# psi test pressure); gas piping installation and test (minimum 10# psi test pressure); any sewer or water line reroute. Allow a soil embedment depth of 12-in when using plastic PVC in the circulating system, painted with latex paint to provide protection from sun. Any discharge from the swimming pool for the purpose of lowering the water level, must be from a hose connected to a hose bib on the filter or separation tank with drainage to an acceptable location.

      Electrical check involves service drop clearance requirements; bonding of pool or spa steel, underwater light fixture forming shells, diving boards, slide, fill line, equipment and metallic objects located within 5-ft of inside walls of pool or spa; electrical conduit; verify approved listings for underwater light fixtures forming shells.

      Fiberglass and vinyl liner pools must have alarms and barriers at this time.

       

    • Pre-deck:

      (Grid Structure) the equipotential bonding grid shall cover the contour of the pool and the pool deck extending (3 ft) horizontally from the inside walls of the pool. (Refer to the CEC Article 680.26 for equipotential Bonding).

    • Pre-plaster:

      Electrical check involves underwater light fixtures forming a shell, proper bonding, and listed potting compound, encapsulating and covering requirements; required circuits GFCI protected.

      In addition prior to filling pool with water, ensure all barrier elements are installed (i.e., fence, gates, alarms on doors).

      Sign off for barrier requirements is required prior to plastering of pool/spa.

    • Final:

      Final grading; location of equipment in conjunction with property lines, structures and windows.

      Plumbing check inspection for all exposed piping to detect any leaks; approved gas valve; equipment is secured to equipment pad; compliance with State energy laws and solar (if any); proper gas connector; prepare PG&E utility tag.

      Electrical check inspection for complete grounding and bonding; main panel indexed at breakers; proper operation of switches and receptacles; installation of time clocks; proper wire and breaker sizing; required pool/spa circuits GFCI protected; pool light has low water cutoff.

      No excavation or structural portion of the pool to be located in any Public Utility Easements.

  2. Self-contained (Portable) Hot Tubs and Spas

    • Pre-cover:

      Required if any plumbing (gas line) or electric lines are placed underground.

    • Final:

      Enclosure requirements such as fence, gates, alarm, doors OR locking safety covers; all equipment operational.

California Energy Code Requirements

  • Filtration Pump requirements:

    Pools of less than 13,000 must have a pump sized to have a maximum flow rate of less than 36 gpm. Pools over 13,000 must have a pump sized using the following equation:
    Max Flow Rate (gpm) = Pool Volume (gal) / 360min.

  • Pool Size in Gallons:

    The pool size, in gallons, must be on the plans.
    • Refer to the California Energy Code Section 150 (p) for additional requirements, listed below.

Fees

Due to the complexity of permit fees for new construction, it is recommended that you contact the Building Inspection and Safety for all applicable costs such as development fees, building fees, etc.

Application Forms

Application for Permit

For additional information please contact Building Safety and Inspection at:

(916) 478-2235
[email protected]
Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

California Energy Code Section 150 (p)

Pool Systems and Equipment Installation

Any residential pool system or equipment installed shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 114, as well as the requirements listed in this section.

  1. Pump sizing and flow rate

    1. All pumps and pump motors installed shall be listed in the Commission’s directory of certified equipment and shall comply with the Appliance Efficiency Regulations.
    2. All pump flow rates shall be calculated using the following system equation:
      H = C X F2
      Where: H is the total system head in feet of water.
      F is the flow rate in gallons per minute (gpm).
      C is a coefficient based on the volume of the pool:
      0.0167 for pools less than or equal to 17,000 gallons.
      0.0082 for pools greater than 17,000 gallons. And;
    3. Filtration pumps shall be sized, or if programmable, shall be programmed, so that the filtration flow rate is not greater than the rate needed to turn over the pool water volume in 6 hours or 36 gpm, whichever is greater; and
    4. Pump motors used for filtration with a capacity of 1 hp or more shall be multi-speed; and
    5. Each auxiliary pool load shall be served by either separate pumps or the system shall be served by a multi-speed pump; and
      Exception to Section 150(p)1E: Pumps if less than 1 hp may be single speed.
    6. Multi-speed pumps shall have controls which default to the filtration flow rate when no auxiliary pool loads are operating; and G. For multi-speed pumps, the controls shall default to the filtration flow rate setting within 24 hours and shall have an override capability for servicing.

  2. System piping

    1. A length of straight pipe that is greater than or equal to at least 4 pipe diameters shall be installed before the pump; and
    2. Pool piping shall be sized so that the velocity of the water at maximum flow for auxiliary pool loads does not exceed 8 feet per second in the return line and 6 feet per second in the suction line; and
    3. All elbows shall be sweep elbows or elbow-type that has a pressure drop of less than the pressure drop of straight pipe with a length of 30 pipe diameters.
    4. At least 36 inches of pipe between the filter and the heater must be provided for future solar heating equipment.

  3. Filters

    Filters shall be at least the size specified in NSF/ANSI 50 for public pool intended applications.

  4. Valves

    Minimum diameter of backwash valves shall be 2 inches or the diameter of the return pipe, whichever is greater.

Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs and Spas Checklist

Plans Submittal Requirements

  • A complete set of stamped and wet-signed plans including construction details/steel schedule with a Site Plan attached.

Site Information

Site Plan to include the following items:

  • Dimensions of all property lines; north arrow; distance between the pool/spa and the property lines.
  • Location of pool equipment must be at least 3-ft from adjacent property lines (Planning).
  • Location of A/C or other mechanical equipment within proximity of pool must be a minimum distance of 5 ft, OR be separated by a permanent barrier or bonded. CEC 680-26 (a)
  • Location and type of electrical service, (underground or overhead)
  • Distance between pool and house as well as any glazing surfaces, including windows and doors of residence (tempered glazing for windows and doors less than 60-in above the pool side and within 5-ft to water’s edge of pool).
  • Location of electrical panel and gas meter.
  • Exit alarms for any doors leading from the dwelling to the pool area, including garage doors.
  • Pool fencing indicating height of fence, height of gate latch, direction of gate swing (must swing away from pool) and indication that fence gate is self-closing and self-latching (vehicle gates leading to pool area must also be self-closing). If fencing is other than a wood-fence, it must be no more than 2-in from the adjacent ground and have rails spaced no more than 4-in apart.
  • Show depth of the pool and/or spa on the plans

California Energy Code Requirements:

  • Pool and/or Spa Size in Gallons: The pool and/or spa size, in gallons, must be on the plans.

California Electrical Code Requirements:

  • Equipotential Bonding Grid:

    Information regarding bonding must be on the plans. Note: Perimeter Surfaces shall extend (3 ft) horizontally beyond the inside walls of the pool and shall include unpaved surfaces as well as poured concrete and other types of paving. Note: reinforcing steel and copper conductor grids are required to be attached to the pool structure at minimum of (4) points uniformly spaced around the perimeter of the pool.

Structural Information

  • Construction details/steel schedule; structural details appropriately highlighted. Plan stamped and wet-signed by a California licensed engineer.
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