These regulations shall be known as the "Livermore Swimming Pool and Spa Code," hereinafter referred to as "this code."
(Ord. 2181, 10/13/2025)
The Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2024 Edition, published by the International Code Council is hereby adopted. Where this chapter is inconsistent with state law then in that instance the provisions of the state law shall prevail.
(Ord. 2181, 10/13/2025)
Chapter 3 is amended as follows:
Section 302.1 is amended to read:
302.1 Electrical. Electrical requirements for aquatic facilities shall be in accordance with the California Electrical Code.
Exception: Internal wiring for portable residential spas and portable residential exercise spas.
Section 302.2 is amended to read:
302.2 Water Service and drainage. Piping and fittings used for water service, makeup and drainage piping for pools and spas shall comply with the California Plumbing Code. Fittings shall be approved for installation with the piping installed.
Section 302.5 is amended to read:
302.5 Backflow protection. Water supplies for pools and spas shall be protected against backflow in accordance with the California Plumbing Code.
Section 302.6 is amended to read:
302.6 Wastewater discharge. Where wastewater from pools or spas, such as backwash water from filters and water from deck drains discharge to a building drainage system, the connection shall be through an airgap in accordance with the California Plumbing Code.
Section 303 is amended to read:
303.1 Energy. All pool and spa energy consumption shall meet the requirements in the current California Energy Efficiency Standards.
Section 304.2 is amended to read:
304.2 Determination of impacts based on location. Pools and spas located in flood hazard areas indicated within the City of Livermore shall comply with 304.2.1 or 304.2.2.
Section 305.1 is amended to read:
305.1 General. The provisions of this section and the California Building Code shall apply to the design of barriers for restricting entry into areas having pools and spas. Where spas or hot tubs are equipped with lockable safety cover complying with ASTM F1346 and swimming pools are equipped with a powered safety cover that complies ASTM F1346, the areas where those spas, hot tubs or pools are located shall not be required to comply with Sections 305.2 through 305.7.
Section 305.2.1 is amended to read:
305.2.1 Barrier height and clearances. Barrier heights and clearances shall be in accordance with all of the following:
1.
The top of the barrier shall be not less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above grade where measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the pool or spa. Such height shall exist around the entire perimeter of the barrier and for a distance of 3 feet measured horizontally from the outside of the required barrier.
2.
The vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall not exceed 2 inches (51 mm) for grade surfaces that are not solid, such as grass or gravel, where measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the pool or spa.
3.
The vertical clearance between a surface below the barrier to a solid surface, such as concrete, and the bottom of the required barrier shall not exceed 4 inches (102 mm) where measured on the side of the required barrier that faces away from the pool or spa.
4.
Where the top of the pool or spa structure is above grade, the barrier shall be installed on grade or shall be mounted between the top of the pool or spa and the bottom of the barrier shall not exceed 4 inches (102 mm).
Section 305.3.3 is amended to read:
305.3.3 Latch release. For doors and gates in barriers, the door and gate latch release mechanisms shall be in accordance with the following:
Pools and spas at single-family homes shall comply with the California Building Code Section 3109. Public Pools and spas as defined in the California Building Code Section 31B shall comply with the California Building Code Section 3119B.
Section 305.4 is amended to read:
305.4 Structure wall as a barrier. Where a wall of a dwelling or structure serves as a part of a barrier and where doors or gates provide direct access to the pool or spa through that wall, one of the following shall be required:
1.
Doors and gates shall have an alarm that produces an audible warning when the window, door or their screens are opened. The alarm shall be listed and labeled as a water hazard entrance alarm in accordance with UL 2017.
2.
In dwelling units not required to be Accessible units as required by California Building Code - Chapter 11A, the operable parts of the alarm deactivation switches shall be located at not less than 54 inches (1372 mm) above the finished floor.
3.
In dwellings that are required to be Accessible units as required by California Building Code - Chapter 11A, the operable parts shall be located not greater than 54 inches (1372 mm) and not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above the finished floor.
4.
In structures other than dwellings, the operable parts of the alarm deactivation switches shall be located not greater than 54 inches (1372 mm) and not less than 48 inches (1220 mm) above the finished floor.
5.
A safety cover that is listed and labeled in accordance with ASTM F1346 is installed for the pools and spa.
6.
An approved means of protection, such as a self-closing doors with self-latching devices, is provided. Such means of protection shall provide a degree of protection that is not less than the protection afforded by items 1 or 2.
Section 305.5 numbers 1 and 2 are amended to read:
305.5 Onground residential pool structure as a barrier
1.
Where only the pool wall serves as the barrier, the bottom of the wall is on grade, the top of the wall is not less than 60 inches (1219mm) above grade for the entire perimeter of the pool, the wall complies with the requirements of section 305.2, and the pool manufacturer allows the wall to serve as the barrier.
2.
Where a barrier is mounted on top of the pool wall, the top of the barrier is not less than 60 inches (1219 mm) above grade for the entire perimeter of the pool, and the wall and the barrier on top of the wall comply with the requirement of Section 305.2.
305.8 is amended to read:
305.8 Means of egress. Outdoor public pools provided with barriers shall have means of egress as required by Chapter 10 of the California Building Code.
Section 306.1 is amended to read:
306.1 General. The structural design and installation of decks around pools and spas shall be in accordance with the California Building Code or the California Residential Code, as applicable.
Section 306.9.1 is amended to read:
306.9.1 Hose bibbs. Hose bibbs shall be provided for rinsing down the entire deck and shall be installed in accordance with the California Plumbing Code and shall be located not greater than 150 feet (45,720 mm) apart. Water-powered devices, such as water-powered lifts, shall have a dedicated hose bibb water source.
Exception: Residential pools and spas shall not be required to have hose bibbs located at 150-foot (45,720 mm) intervals, nor have a dedicated hose bibb for water-powered devices.
Section 307.1.1 is amended to read:
307.1.1 Glazing in hazardous locations. Hazardous locations shall be as defined in the California Building Code or the California Residential Code, as applicable. Where glazing is determined to be in a hazardous location, the requirements for the glazing shall be in accordance with those codes, as applicable.
Section 307.1.4 is amended to read:
307.1.4 Roofs or canopies. Roofs or canopies over pools and spas shall be in accordance with the California Building Code or California Residential Code as applicable and shall be constructed so as to prevent water runoff into the pool or spa.
Section 307.1.5 is amended to read:
307.1.5 Accessibility. An accessible route to and into public pools and spas shall be provided in accordance with the California Building Code.
Section 307.2.2 is amended to read:
307.2.2 Materials and structural design. Pools and spas shall conform to one or more of the standards indicated in Table 307.2.2. The structural design of pools and spas shall be in accordance with the California Building Code.
(Ord. 2181, 10/13/2025)
Chapter 8 is amended as follows:
Section 802.1 is amended to read:
802.1 Materials of components and accessories. The materials of components and accessories used for permanent inground residential swimming pools shall be suitable for the environment in which they are installed. The materials shall be capable of fulfilling the design, installation and the intended use requirements in the California Residential Code.
Section 802.2 is amended to read:
802.2 Structural Design. The structural design and materials shall be in accordance with the California Residential Code.
(Ord. 2181, 10/13/2025)