At the beginning of 2018, California lawmakers passed a new law regarding residential pool safety barriers. Known as SB-442, the law stipulates residential swimming pools must be enclosed and equipped with one or more life saving devices.

The law is designed to increase the safety in and around residential swimming pools. In California, drowning is the second leading cause of death in children ages 1-4, and the leading cause of hospitalizations with brain injuries caused by lack of oxygen, an obvious reason why lawmakers passed this policy.

The law outlines seven drowning prevention safety features: at least one of the seven safety features must be equipped on a new construction swimming pool, newly remodeled swimming pool, or pool at a home which is in the process of being sold.

A home inspection is required for any home purchase. A home inspector will use the guidelines set forth in SB-442 to determine if the pool is equipped with at least one drowning prevention safety feature. Permits are also issued for new construction and newly remodeled pools. An abbreviated list of the seven safety requirements is below. Use the California Legislative Information website to view the full list of requirements.

In California, residential swimming pools must have:

An enclosure that isolates the swimming pool or spa from the private single-family home.
Removable mesh fencing and a gate that is self-closing and self-latching and can accommodate a key lockable device.
An approved safety pool cover.

Exit alarms on the private single-family home’s doors that provide direct access to the swimming pool or spa.
A self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor on the private single-family home’s doors providing direct access to the swimming pool or spa

An alarm that, when placed in a swimming pool or spa, will sound upon detection of accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water.

Upgrade Your Pool Safety Barrier When Your Pool Is Being Remodeled Or Repair Work Is Being Done

Pools subjected to SB-442 include older pools undergoing a remodel, new construction pools, and any pool involved in the sale of a home.

When a home inspection finds that a pool lacks proper safety barriers, owners will be required to update their pool prior to receiving a permit. Once the safety barrier is installed, the home owner will receive the permit.