Pool fences in Bakersfield

What are California's pool enclosure rules?

For a new or remodeled pool or spa at a private single-family home, Health and Safety Code section 115922 calls for at least two of seven drowning prevention features when the building permit is issued. An enclosure that separates the pool from the home is one option. Under section 115923, it needs:

• a minimum height of 60 inches;
• a gap of 2 inches or less between the bottom and the ground;
• openings small enough that a 4-inch sphere cannot pass;
• an outside face without handholds or footholds for a child under five; and
• gates that swing away from the pool, self-close and self-latch, with the latch 60 inches or more off the ground.

The City of Bakersfield reviews pool barriers as part of the pool permit and may have its own requirements, so we confirm them for your address.

What material works best in Bakersfield?

Aluminum in a light color is our usual pick: no rust from splash-out, accurate picket spacing, and it does not get as hot to the touch as dark steel. Vinyl works when you want privacy, as long as the outside face has nothing to climb. We keep gate hardware sealed against dust so self-closers keep working.

Will my existing block wall or fence count?

Only if it meets every requirement. Many back yards combine a block wall with a wood or vinyl section and an older gate. A gate that does not self-close, a gap under the fence, or climbable rails on the outside will keep it from qualifying.