SWIMMING POOL, SPAS, HOT TUB
REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES
POOL/SPA CHECKLIST
□ Submittal of two (2) sets of plans is required for permit issuance.
□ Obtain approval from the Planning/Zoning Division and from Community Development.
□ Show location of all existing underground and overhead utilities. Electrical service
conductors and other open overhead wiring cannot cross over pools/spas within ten (10) feet
horizontally or a special cable must be installed. Contact Southern California Edison Company
for special cable installation.
□ Show location of pool equipment. Pool heater vent shall be:
o A minimum 4 feet below or horizontally from any opening into any building.
o Not less than 1 foot above any opening into any building.
o Not less than 4 feet from any property line except a public way.
□ Clearly show all enclosure fencing and locations of access gates. Provide information
regarding the length of the pool enclosure fencing.
□ Illustrate all existing conditions of fencing being used as part of the pool/spa enclosure.
Show grade differences, planters or structures that may provide ladder type access over the
enclosure from neighboring sites. Provide section detail on the plans.
□ Cross-reference all details used on the pool/spa plan and delete those not used.
□ Engineer of record must design special detailing for rockscapes and slides.
□ All structurally built pools/spas require engineered plans and specifications stamped and wet
signed by a licensed engineer. Some in-ground fabricated pool/spas require engineering plans.
All fabricated pool/spas are required to have recognized listings by approved listing agencies.
□ When providing door alarms, note on plans: “Audible alarms at doors opening to pools shall be
at least 85 dbA when measured 10 feet away from the alarm mechanism and should sound for at
least 30 seconds. [2001 CBC, appendix Chapter 4, section 421]
□ Show and identify all glazing within 5 feet of pool or spa water’s edge. Glazing within 5 feet of
the water edge and less than 60 inches above poolside grade shall be safety glazing.
□ Provide a submittal from the manufacturer of all equipment. Must be U.L. listed.
□ Provide a pool floor plan to show layout of rebar and spacing. All below ground vaults need
shoring.
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Job Address_______________________________________________________________________
The following list is now part of the plans and shall be kept attached to the approved plans. The
items listed herein are reminders of some of the Codes. Others may be noted by the Inspectors
during the course of the job.
INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS
1. Overhead Wire Clearance: Electrical service conductors and other open overhead wiring
cannot cross over pools/spas within ten (10) feet horizontally or a special cable must be installed.
Contact Southern California Edison Company for special cable installation.
2. Main Drain: All types of pools and spas shall have anti-vortex drains with listed outlet covers.
Spas are required to have two (2) outlets separated by a minimum of three (3) feet, or located on
two different planes.
All circulating piping connected to the pool/spa system shall be pressure tested with a minimum
of thirty-five (35) pounds constant pressure for 15 minutes.
3. Steel: All reinforcing steel shall be deformed bars conforming to A.S.T.M. – A615 graded. All
pool construction shall conform to expansive soil details. Minimum clearance between earth and
steel to be three (3) inches. A 9 in.² listed bonded plate must be installed, in contact with the pool
water, for steel inspection. [2010 CEC 680.26 (c)]
4. Electrical Bonding: All metallic parts of the pool/spa structure, reinforcing steel, light fixture
housings, metal ladders, diving boards, and any metal objects within five (5) feet of pool edge
shall be bonded with a minimum of a #8 gauge solid copper bond wire and approved clamp.
Bonding to perimeter surfaces shall be attached to the pool reinforcing steel or copper conductor
grid at a minimum of four (4) points uniformly spaced around the perimeter of the pool [2010
CEC 680.26 (B) (2)].
5. Backflow Device: Auto-fill valve (usually installed at edge of pool inside a ‘skimmer’ box)
requires a backflow device [CPC 603.4.5]. We now require a pressure vacuum breaker or
reduced-pressure backflow preventer, as no valves can be downstream of an atmospheric
vacuum breaker. The pressure-type device must be installed, tested and certified by a licensed
backflow technician – before final signoff and then certified yearly, thereafter.
IMPORTANT:
Upon completion and Inspector’s approval of the above items, pool may be gunnited.
6. During Placement of Shotcrete: All swimming pools and spas utilizing shotcrete (gunnite) will
require special inspection in accordance with Section 1701.5(12) CBC. The special inspector
shall demonstrate that he/she is qualified to inspect the work by submitting evidence of
appropriate certifications prior to reporting to the job site. The special inspector shall be present
during the taking of test specimens and placing of all shotcrete (gunnite). The special inspector
is required to provide continuous inspection of the placement of the reinforcement and shotcrete
and shall submit a statement indicating compliance with the plans and specifications. Strength
test report shall be submitted prior to final inspection approval. The special inspector must be
registered with the City of Manhattan Beach.
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7. Underground Electric: Electrical conduit may be plastic PVC Sch 40 U.L. listed, eighteen (18)
inches below grade. Above ground conduit shall be plastic PVC Sch 80 U.L. listed or rigid
galvanized 40 mil. plastic tape (total 120 mil. Cover) to a height of six (6) inches above grade.
All electrical boxes must be approved weatherproof outdoor type boxes. All junction boxes and
panels must be supported with rigid metal supports in addition to non-metallic conduits and be a
minimum of eight (8) inches above the pool water line.
Where a permanent pool/spa is installed, at least on 125 volt convenience receptacle shall be
located a minimum of ten (10) feet from but not more than twenty (2) feet from the edge of the
pool/spa.
This receptacle shall be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (G.F.C.I.) One 125 volt
G.F.I.C outlet shall be located a minimum of five (5) feet and not more than ten (10) feet from
the inside wall of a spa or hot tub.
8. Gas Piping/Test: Gas lines must be pressurized to ten (10) pounds of pressure and hold
constant for a minimum of fifteen (15) minutes.
Underground piping may be factory coated steel pipe installed a minimum of twelve (12) inches
below grade. All metal pipe fittings shall be wrapped with approved 10 mil tape, half overlap
double wrap to six (6) inches above grade (min. 40 mil cover).
A shut off valve must be installed within three (3) feet of the heater. A flex gas line may not be
used inside of the heater. Black steel iron pipe above grade must be painted to protect the pipe
from corrosion.
9. Receptor: All pool/spas shall dispose of swimming pool waste water into a three (3) inch P-trap
connected to the building sewer outside the house. The P-trap cannot be connected to a house
cleanout or house drain. It must go straight to the building sewer. The P-trap must be installed
on all pools and spas. If it is a cartridge type or DE filter, the P-trap is still required, no
exceptions. The receptor shall be a minimum six (6) inches above grade. Cleanouts are required
and a strainer must be provided on the inlet. Backwash drain lines shall not be less than one and
one-half (1 ½) inch in size, must be solid PVC. This is for DE filters and cartridge type and
provides a two (2) inch minimum air gap. Exception: Spas less than 750 gallons need not
discharge into a sewer system.
Trap Primer must have a solenoid connected to the cold water supply.
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10. Decking: All pool/spa decks shall be designed and constructed for expansive soil conditions and
have a minimum sand base with expansion joints every 100 square feet of deck. All reinforcing
steel mesh or rebar shall be bonded with common #8 gauge bare copper bond wire and approved
clamp.
IMPORTANT:
ABOVE INSPECTIONS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE INSPECTOR PRIOR TO
COVERING OR INSTALLATION OF A DECK.
11. Equipment Foundations: All mechanical equipment and pump motors shall be set on a
concrete base or slab a minimum of two (2) inches above grade. All heating and electrical
equipment shall be approved for outdoor use. Clearances for gas appliance and electrical panels
must be per Code. All motors and equipment shall be secured to the pad/foundation.
ELECTRICAL FINAL:
No plug receptacles shall be installed within ten (10) feet of the inside face of the walls of the
pool/spa. All lighting fixtures within five (5) feet horizontally and five (5) feet vertically of water
edge must be G.F.C.I. circuited.
All electrical equipment (120/240 motors), including power-supply cords, used with storable pools
shall be protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters [2010 CEC 680.32].
All ground wires shall be properly connected to junction boxes. Motors and heaters are to be hooked
up along with being properly grounded, bonded and accessible.
All pump motors, blowers and lighting shall have separate circuits. Disconnects shall be identified
for each. Lighting shall be protected by G.F.C.I. circuits.
Pool/spa light must function properly. Junction boxes must be listed by U.L. for installation of
swimming pools. They must have grounding screws in the box with means of independently
terminating not less that two grounding conductors.
All 120v and 240v portable spas and pools will be protected by a G.F.C.I.
Electric pool covers shall be protected by G.F.C.I.
Time clocks are required for all pool/spa circulation. Pumps then can be set to run in off-peak
electric demand periods (unless required to operate an active solar pool heating system) and for the
minimum time necessary to maintain water in a clean and sanitary condition.
SAFETY BARRIER:
Whenever a construction permit is issued for construction of a new swimming pool or spa at a
private single family home, it shall be equipped with the following safety features:
1. The pool shall be isolated from the home by a barrier:
60 inches high
Without openings that allow a 4 inch sphere to pass through
No configuration allowing ladder-like access
Access gates shall be self-closing, self-latching with release device located 60 inches
above grade and shall open outward away from the pool/spa
2. The residence shall be equipped with exit alarms (battery powered or hardwired) on those doors
providing direct access to the pool.
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3. 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 54 inches above
the floor.
IMPORTANT:
UPON COMPLETION OF ABOVE AND BUILDING INSPECTOR’S APPROVAL, FINISH
PLASTER MAY BE APPLIED.
PLUMBING/MECHANICAL FINAL:
All hose bibs must be protected with anti-siphon devices.
A length of plumbing (36” minimum) between the filter and the fossil fuel heater must be provided
to allow for the future addition of solar heating equipment.
All new pools shall be equipped with directional inlets for good mixing of the pool water.
Gas pool heaters shall have an on-off switch mounted on the outside of the heater for easy access to
allow shutting off the operation of the heater without adjusting the thermostat setting.
A permanent weatherproof plate or card must be provided that provides instructions for the energy
efficient operation of the swimming pool and for the proper care of swimming pool water when a
swimming pool covers is used.
Any new or replacement fossil-fueled swimming pool heater must have a thermal efficiency of at
least 75% and must be so identified on the plan and the heater.
No electric resistance heating. Solar collectors shall provide not less than 60% of the energy for
heating swimming pools and spas with the following exceptions (MBMC 9.36.140):
•
•
Exception 1. Listed package units with fully insulated enclosures and with tight-fitting
covers that are insulated to at least R-6
Exception 2. Pools or spas deriving at least 60 % of the annual heating energy from site solar
energy or recovered energy
Outdoor pools equipped with a fossil fuel or electric heater must also be equipped with a thermal
pool cover or blanket rated at not less than R-15 (MBMC 9.36.140).
All water piping exposed to sunlight must be painted for protection from ultra violet sun rays.
IMPORTANT:
HOMEOWNER OR POOL COMPANY MUST NOTIFY THE BUILDING & SAFETY AND
THE PUBLIC WORKS DIVISIONS for a final inspection and approval.
For inspections, please call 310-802-5542 before 3pm for next work day inspection. Provide the
address, permit number, inspection code (type of inspection). Final pool inspection is #900.
Call 310-802-5306 for Final Public Works inspection, code # 901.
I have read this list and will comply with all Codes, Ordinances, and regulations
pertaining to pools and hot tubs.
___________________________
____________________
Permittee Signature
Date
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