POOL AND SPA REQUIREMENTS
City of Yorba Linda
Building Division
Call 714 961-7120 Main Line or 714-854-7411 Inspection request line
Pool & Spa Plan Check, Corrections and Requirement Sheets
Job Address:
Date:
Owner’s Name:
Plan Check #:
Items checked on the front and written on the back of this title page must be addressed on the
construction plans prior to the issuance of the permit, all other items are required.

Pool projects adjacent to natural slopes must be investigated by a State Licensed Engineer
specialized in the practice of Soils Engineering and/or Geology. Submit reports to City or
indicate on plot plan the absence of slopes on this lot.

Provide a letter from the Homeowner requesting modification from the minimum five-foot (5’)
deck requirement to allow different deck width as indicated on the plans-per section 15.32.030
of the Yorba Linda Municipal Code. Homeowner assumes full responsibility for request and
modification.

Provide a letter from the Homeowner requesting modification from the minimum five-foot (5’)
setback from toe of slope or a seven-foot (7’) setback from top of slope- per section 15.32.030
of the Yorba Linda Municipal Code. The City of Yorba Linda Engineering Department has
additional soil investigation requirements for this condition. Homeowner assumes full
responsibility for request and modification.

Relocate utility service drops to comply with the 2005 Edition of the National Electrical Code,
“Minimum ten feet (10’) horizontal clearance from inside wall of pool.” Acknowledgement from
the owner of this requirement will be required prior to the issuance of a building permit.
Relocation shall be completed prior to pre-plaster inspection. National Electrical Code, Article
680-8. Check with Edison Company Planning Department for a new location.

Note on plans the fifteen-foot (15’) minimum separation requirement of equipment to adjacent
property owner’s windows or doors of dwelling. Relocate equipment to comply. Pool
equipment must maintain a 3’-0” clear distance minimum from Pool Enclosure fencing.

Recreational vehicle gates are allowed as part of the Pool Enclosure and must be equipped
with lockable hardware, including a cemented, in ground, steel sleeve adapter. Motorized
gates are not allowed as pool enclosure fencing.

If existing pool enclosure fencing does not meet code, then the Homeowner and Contractor
must acknowledge in writing that the Pool Enclosure fencing will be brought up to code prior to
pre-plaster inspection. Obtain fence permit from the City of Yorba Linda Building Division.
Form B-027-A
Page 1 of 9
Revised 2009.03.23
POOL AND SPA REQUIREMENTS
Additional Corrections:
.
Checked by:______________________________________ Date___________________________
Form B-027-A
Page 2 of 9
Revised 2009.03.23
POOL AND SPA REQUIREMENTS
1. Pool shall be constructed not less than five feet (5’) from property line, seven feet (7’) from top
of slope or five feet (5’) from toe of slope. EXCEPTION: pool may be constructed less than
seven feet (7’) from top of slope or five feet (5’) from toe of slope with the use of a surcharge
design by a licensed engineer and approved by the Building Official.
2. All pool construction shall conform to engineered design for expansive soil.
3. Provide an approved expansion joint material where concrete deck is poured adjacent to an
existing building or coping to decking. Maintain 2” minimum clearance below buildings weep
screed.
4. Owners and Contractors must verify and show all utility easements on the site plan.
Construction is not allowed within such easements unless approved in writing by the utility
company(s). Call Dig Alert at 1 (800) 422-4133 for locations of underground lines.
5. Pool equipment shall not be located in the required front yard, street side yard, or closer than
fifteen feet (15’) to any residential neighboring dwelling on adjacent properties (side yards may
be used if equipment is screened from view with a solid fence or wall). Pool equipment must
maintain 3’-0” minimum clearance from Pool Barrier Fencing.
6. Approved stackless heaters shall be installed a minimum five feet (5’) from the openings of
dwelling to the exhaust point and four feet (4’) horizontally from any combustible overhang
(maintain 3’-0” minimum clearance to Pool Barrier Fencing). Installation must also meet
manufacturer’s specifications.
7. Electrical deck boxes shall be located a minimum of four feet (4’) away from pool water line
and must maintain eight inches (8”) minimum clearance above pool deck or grade.
8. All pool equipment, metal fencing, fixtures, deck steel, etc., within five feet (5’) of water, shall
be bonded to pool steel in accordance with The City of Yorba Linda’s approved means.
9. Whenever a property is serviced by a public sewer system, provide a three inch (3”) “P”
trap/discharge line with a two-inch (2”) air gap installed a minimum of three inches (3”) above
finished grade.
10. Install vacuum breaker per code at water source for fill line to pool or spa.
11. Install pool bottom hydrostatic pressure relief valve if high water table is encountered or known
to be the case.
12. All circulating systems shall be of brass, copper or P.V.C. Schedule #40. (PVC piping shall be
installed per the installation standards to within ten feet (10’) of pool heater.
13. All deck surrounding the pool shall be five feet (5’) minimum in width and slope must drain
away from pool. Deck shall have footings designed for expansive soil. EXCEPTION: Less
decking may be used if area is provided with adequate drainage system, so as to drain all
surface water away from pool area. The Building Official approval of such system is required.
Form B-027-A
Page 3 of 9
Revised 2009.03.23
POOL AND SPA REQUIREMENTS
14. Do not pour pool decks until after a pre-deck inspection written approval by the City Building
Inspector.
15. Any proposed barbeque or other structure must be three feet (3’) minimum away from property
lines. BBQ burner section must be located a minimum of four feet (4’) away from structures,
buildings, overhangs and their appendages, and from swimming pool barriers.
16. Gas pipe shall be full size connection at source (meter), with same size branch line pipe for
connection to the heater. Risers shall be Fletcher coated sweeps.
17. Provide G.F.C.I. for pool lighting circuit. Lighting circuit shall be in a separate raceway. Use
listed potting compound at wet nitch wiring connections.
18. A #18 copper tracer wire shall be installed with and attached to all underground non-metallic
gas piping and shall terminate a minimum of six inches (6”) above finish grade, at risers of
pipe.
ENCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
19. Every person in possession of a parcel of property within the City of Yorba Linda, either as
owner, purchaser under contract, lessee, tenant, licensee, or otherwise, upon which is situated
a swimming pool, or other outdoor body of water designed, constructed and used for
swimming or recreational bathing purposes having a depth of eighteen inches (18”) or more
shall maintain in good condition, (on property containing such body of water), an enclosure of
approved materials, substantially constructed, not less than five feet (5’) and no more than six
feet (6’) in height above the finish grade within 3’-0” of each side of the fence base. All existing
or future elevated land marks such as built in planters, seats, shelves, water features
(waterfalls, waterslides,etc)., that would render the fence shorter in height, must be taken into
account. If this condition applies fence must be built higher at such locations and at locations
30” horizontally beyond such objects. In instances where two such bodies of water exist in
close proximity, and is of lesser depth than the other body of water), each shall be separately
enclosed in the manner herein specified.
20. A complying five-foot (5’) high Pool Enclosure fence must be completed prior to pre-plaster
inspection. Gates and garage man doors shall be self-closing and self-latching type with latch
located sixty inches (60”) minimum above finish grade. Gates must swing away from the pool.
EXCEPTION: Vinyl lined or fiberglass pools shall have enclosure completed prior to filling pool.
For fence specifications, refer to sec. 15.04.130 of the Yorba Linda Municipal Code. Provide
plans and obtain permit prior to construction, or prior to alterations of fences or walls.
21. Walls of a dwelling or accessory structure may be considered as part of the required enclosure
provided that no unprotected openings exist. Door alarms are required to be installed in
accordance with the 2006 International Building Code and the 2007 Edition of the California
Building Code, Volume 2.
Doors with direct access to the pool through that wall shall be equipped with an alarm that produces an
audible warning when the door and/or its screen, if present, are opened. The alarm shall be listed in
accordance with UL 2017. The audible alarm shall activate within 7 seconds and sound continuously
for a minimum of 30 seconds after the door and/or its screen, if present, are opened and be capable of
being heard throughout the house during normal household activities. The alarm shall automatically
Form B-027-A
Page 4 of 9
Revised 2009.03.23
POOL AND SPA REQUIREMENTS
reset under all conditions. The alarm shall be equipped with a manual means, such as touchpad or
switch, to temporarily deactivate the alarm for a single opening. Such deactivation shall last for not
more than 15 seconds. In dwellings not required to be Accessible, Type A or Type B units, the
deactivation switch shall be located 54 inches or more above the threshold of the door. In dwellings
required to be Accessible, Type A or Type B units, the deactivation switch(es) shall be located at 54
inches maximum and 48 inches minimum above the threshold of the door.
22. Required enclosures shall be constructed of the following materials:
A. Chain link fencing with link openings of one and three quarter (1 ¾) inches by one and
three quarter (1 ¾) inches or less. Pedestrian access gates shall be self-closing and
have a self-latching device. Where the release mechanism of the self latching device is
located less than 60 inches above the ground, (1) the release mechanism shall be
located on the pool side of the barrier at least 3 inches (76MM) below the top of the
gate, and (2) the gate and barrier shall have no opening greater than one half (1/2 “)
(13MM) within 18 inches (457 MM) of the release mechanism. Pedestrian gates shall
swing away from the pool. Any gates other than pedestrian access gates shall be
equipped with locking hardware or padlocks and shall remain locked at all times when
not in use.
B. Approved plywood, fiber glass, plastic, tempered or one-quarter (1/4) inch wire glass or
corrosion resistant metal panels constructed to withstand fifteen (15) pounds per square
foot uniform load applied perpendicular to wall. No sharp or unprotected edges are
allowed.
C. Solid wood fencing with no exposed horizontal framing.
D. Wood or metal pickets or stake fences with openings between vertical members spaced
such that a four-inch (4”) sphere cannot pass through.
E. Concrete or masonry fences or walls.
F. Other materials, subject to the review and approval of the Building Official. The Building
Official may require that sufficient evidence or proof be submitted to substantiate any
claims made with regard to such alternate materials and their installation.
23. Pool enclosure fencing located adjacent to raised planter areas and other similar low rise
feature elements must be a minimum of 4’ 0” high above such raised planters and low rise
feature elements. Pool enclosure fence height must be a minimum of 5’ 0” high and a
maximum of 6’ 0” high above grades on both sides of the pool enclosure fencing.
24. Any enclosures or gates required by this section shall not have any projections or indentation
of more than one half (1/2) inch that would afford a hand or toe hold unless placed at least
forty-five inches (45”) above ground surface measured vertically from the highest point of all
grades within three feet (3’) of the enclosure, measured horizontally. If any such projections or
indentations occur, they must be positioned forty-five inches (45”) or more apart measured
vertically from the top of the lower projection or indentation. For masonry & iron fence
combinations see City standard plan #5 attached.
25. The bottom most portion of the enclosure or gate shall not extend more than two inches (2”)
above top of finish grade or more than four inches (4”) from top of a paved (hard) surface.
Form B-027-A
Page 5 of 9
Revised 2009.03.23
POOL AND SPA REQUIREMENTS
California Energy Code, from the California Code of Regulations, Title 24 Part 6, 2007 edition
§ 114. Mandatory requirements for pool and spa heating systems and equipment.
Certification By Manufacturer’s: Any pool or spa heating system or equipment may be
installed, ONLY if the manufacturer has certified the system, or equipment has all of the
following:
1. Efficiency. A thermal efficiency that complies with the applicable Efficiency
Regulations; and;
2. On-Off Switch. A readily accessible on-off switch, mounted on the outside of the
heater
that allows shutting off the heater without adjusting the thermostat at
setting; and
3. Instructions. A permanent, easily readable and weatherproof plate or card that
gives instruction for the energy efficient operation of the pool or spa and for the
proper care of the pool or spa water when a cover is used; and
4. Electric Resistance Heating. No electric resistance heating and;
Exception 1 to Section 114 (a) 4: Listed package units with fully insulated
enclosures, and with tight-fitting covers that are insulated to at least R-6.
Exception 2 to Section 114 (a) 4: Pools or spas deriving at least 60 percent of
the annual heating energy from site solar energy or recovered energy.
Pilot Light. No pilot light.
INSTALLATION: Any pool or spa heating system or equipment shall be installed with
all of the following:
1. Piping. At least thirty six inches (36”) of pipe between the filter and the heater to allow
for the future addition of solar heating equipment; and
2. Covers. A cover for outdoor pools and spas; and
Exception to Section 114 (b) 2: Pools or spas deriving at least 60 percent of the
annual heating energy from site solar energy or recovered energy.
3. Directional Inlets and Time Switches for Pools. If the system or equipment is for a
pool:
The pool shall have directional inlets that adequately mix the pool water; and the
circulation pump shall have a time switch that allows the pump to be set to run in
the off-peak electric demand period and for the minimum time necessary to
maintain the water in the condition required by applicable health standards.
Form B-027-A
Page 6 of 9
Revised 2009.03.23
POOL AND SPA REQUIREMENTS
Exception to section 114 3: Where applicable public health standards require
on-peak operation.
The 2007 California Energy Commission, Section 111, Appendix 1-A Appliance Efficiency
Standards states:
(g) Pool Heaters, Residential Pool Pumps, and Portable Electrical Spas.
(1) Energy Design Standard for Natural Gas Pool Heaters. Natural gas
pool heaters shall not be equipped with constant burning pilots.
(2) Energy Design Standard for All Pool Heaters. All pool heaters shall
have a readily accessible on-off switch that is mounted on the outside of
the heater and that allows shutting off the heater without adjusting the
thermostat setting.
(3) Energy Efficiency Standard for Heat Pump Pool Heaters. For heat
pump pool heaters manufactured on or after March 1, 2003, the average
of the coefficient of performance (COP) at Standard Temperature Rating
and the coefficient of performance (COP) at Low Temperature Rating
shall be not less than 3.5.
(4) Energy Efficiency Standards for Gas and Oil Pool Heaters.
Form B-027-A
Page 7 of 9
Revised 2009.03.23
POOL AND SPA REQUIREMENTS
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
SWIMMING POOL AND SPA BOND DEPOSIT
A deposit fee of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per swimming pool was approved by City Council per
Section 12.08.120 of the City of Yorba Linda Municipal Code.
Deposits may be made by any of the following methods:
•
A one thousand dollar ($1,000) deposit per swimming pool building permit issued. Or,
•
A five thousand dollar ($5,000) passbook, certificate of deposit or cash may be submitted to
the City, as follows, for an unlimited number of pools:
o
o
o
o
Name on passbook / CD to read “City of Yorba Linda/Contractor.”
Address to be that of contractor.
Passbook / CD to be held by the City of Yorba Linda Finance Department.
Miscellaneous:

Passbook / CD will be released to contractor for update of any interest earnings
and must be returned to the City within twenty four (24) ours.

The City will notify contractor if damage to City property occurs during
construction (damaged as defined by Building and Engineering Departments).
The contractor will have thirty (30) days to respond / repair damage to City
property. Repairs must be made to City specifications. If the contractor does not
repair damage, then the City will have the repairs done and use Bond deposit to
cover such repairs.

Signature of both City staff and contractor are required if funds are withdrawn for
repair of damage to City property.

Contractor must maintain a five thousand dollar ($5,000) minimum deposit
balance.

City will sign off on passbook / CD or refund cash when contractor has no active
swimming pool Building permits issued after _______ and chooses to maintain
deposits in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per permit in the future.
Current one thousand dollar ($1,000) deposits cannot be applied towards a five thousand dollar
($5,000) “Balance on account” in lieu of a passbook, certificate of deposit or cash.
Questions regarding bond deposit requirements may be directed to the Engineering Department at
(714) 961-7170
Questions regarding bond reimbursement may be directed to Community Preservation at
(714) 961-7130
Form B-027-A
Page 8 of 9
Revised 2009.03.23
POOL AND SPA REQUIREMENTS
Pool Maintenance and the Water Quality Act
This is presented to you to explain the regulatory issues regarding the discharge of pool water and
the two methods by which it may be discharged.
Many pools are plumbed to direct pool discharge into the existing sanitary sewer. This is an
acceptable and preferred method of disposal.
Where discharge of pool water to the sanitary sewer is not feasible, federal law allows the release of
dechlorinated swimming pool water. In Orange County the guidelines for such releases requires pool
owners to ensure that all the following criteria are met:
•
•
•
•
•
•
The residential chlorine does not exceed 0.1 mg/l (parts per million):
The pH is between 6.5 and 8.5;
The water is free of any unusual coloration;
There is no discharge of filter media;
There is no discharge of acid cleaning waste; and
Any proposed discharges to the storm drain system must first be authorized with permits
issued by the City of Yorba Linda prior to any such discharges taking place.
Storage of any materials must be covered at all times. Clean up all dry material spills with a broom,
not with a hose. Concrete wash out and clean up of tools must be contained on site and is not
allowed to enter the storm drain.
Compliance with the guidelines can be verified using a pool testing kit. Excess chlorine can be
removed by removing the chlorine tablets for a couple of days prior to discharge or by purchasing
dechlorinating chemicals from local pool supply companies.
By ensuring compliance with this criteria, you will make a significant contribution toward keeping
pollutants out of Orange County’s creeks, streams and receiving water and help to protect organisms
that are sensitive to pool chemicals.
Before you allow anything to go into the gutter or storm drain, stop to think.
Storm drains run directly into channels and creeks, through wetlands and to the ocean.
Remember the ocean begins at your door front.
In addition to the above requirements, all outdoor sinks must have a vent, trap and be connect
directly to the sewer, not yard area drains to a street.
Form B-027-A
Page 9 of 9
Revised 2009.03.23