The intent of this law is to follow the "Swimming Pool Safety Act" set forth in Health and Safety Code Section 115920 et seq., except as this chapter imposes more restrictive requirements.
(Ord. 1438 § 1, 2009)
Those definitions set forth in the Act shall apply except that the definition of "swimming pool" shall be amended as follows: "pool" also includes decorative ponds over eighteen inches deep, including, but not limited to, koi ponds and water features.
(Ord. 1438 § 1, 2009)
Whenever this chapter requires additional measures for a new pool when the pool is "remodeled," it means a remodel that reconfigures the shape of the pool or adds new plumbing features such as a spa or fountain. Replastering or retiling an existing pool to restore the pool to the same basic configuration shall not trigger the new pool/remodeled pool requirements of this chapter.
(Ord. 1438 § 1, 2009)
This section shall apply to all pools. Every person in possession of land within the city, either as owner, purchaser, under contract, lessee, tenant, or licensee, upon which is situated a swimming pool, shall at all times maintain on the lot or premises, a fence or other solid and substantially built structure not less than five feet in height with no openings therein (other than doors or gates) or projections on the exterior surface which, in the opinion of the administrative authority, would serve as a hand or foot hold to facilitate climbing of such fence or structure. A wrought iron fence, if of straight, vertical bars, not over four inches apart and with no horizontal intermediate bars which, in the opinion of said administrative authority, would defeat the purpose and intent of this chapter and "chain link" fences, if openings do not exceed two inches square, would meet the requirements of this chapter. All gates and doors opening through such enclosure shall be kept securely closed at all times when not in actual use and shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices designed to keep and capable of keeping such door or gate securely closed at all times when not in actual use. Such latch and device must be not less than fifty-six inches above ground for pools built prior to 1998 and sixty inches for pools built in 1998 or after, provided, however, that the door of any dwelling occupied by human beings and forming any part of the enclosure hereinabove required, need not be so closed or so equipped.
(Ord. 1438 § 1, 2009)
(a) 
Notwithstanding any provision of the Swimming Pool Safety Act, whenever a building permit is issued for construction of a new swimming pool or spa, or any building permit is issued for remodeling of an existing pool or spa, at a private, single-family home, it shall be equipped with an enclosure in accordance with Section 115923 and at least one of the following drowning prevention safety features:
(1) 
The pool shall incorporate removable mesh pool fencing that meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specifications F 2286 standards in conjunction with a gate that is self-closing and self-latching and can accommodate a key lockable device.
(2) 
The pool shall be equipped with an approved safety pool cover that meets all requirements of the ASTM Specifications F 1346.
(3) 
The residence shall be equipped with exit alarms on those doors providing direct access to the pool.
(4) 
All doors providing direct access from the home to the swimming pool shall be equipped with a self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than fifty-four inches above the floor.
(5) 
Swimming pool alarms that, when placed in pools, will sound upon detection of accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water. These pool alarms shall meet and be independently certified to the ASTM Standard F 2208 "Standards Specification for Pool Alarms" which includes surface motion, pressure, sonar, laser, and infrared type alarms. For purposes of this section, "swimming pool alarms" shall not include swimming protection alarm devices designed for individual use, such as an alarm attached to a child that sounds when the child exceeds a certain distance or becomes submerged in water.
(6) 
Other means of protection, if the degree of protection afforded is equal to or greater than that afforded by any of the devices set forth above, and have been independently verified by an approved testing laboratory as meeting standards for those devices established by the ASTM or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
(b) 
Prior to the issuance of any final approval for the completion of permitted construction or remodeling work, the local building code official shall inspect the drowning safety prevention devices required by this act and if no violations are found, shall give final approval.
(c) 
Thereafter said property shall be continuously maintained with said enclosures and drowning safety features, all in good working order.
(Ord. 1438 § 1, 2009)
Any violation of this chapter by failure to install or maintain a safety feature as described herein shall be a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in Section 1.16.010 of this code.
(Ord. 1438 § 1, 2009)