Violation

California Code § 102417(g)(5)(A)Pool Fence Requirements

How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what providers do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.

Type B, generalAffects Family Child Care Homes12 facilities cited in the last 90 days

ℹ️ Educational reference based on public CCLD inspection records. Not legal or compliance advice. Verify requirements with official sources. Full disclaimer →

Regulation text

What California Code § 102417(g)(5)(A) actually says

California Code § 102417(g)(5)(A)

Fences shall be at least five feet high and shall be constructed so that the fence does not obscure the pool from view. The bottom and sides of the fence shall comply with Division 1, Appendix Chapter 4 of the 1994 Uniform Building Code. In addition to meeting all of the aforementioned requirements for fences, gates shall swing away from the pool, self-close and have a self-latching device located no more than six inches from the top of the gate. Pool covers shall be strong enough to completely support the weight of an adult and shall be placed on the pool and locked while the pool is not in use. 1. If licensed prior to June 1, 1995, facilities with existing pool fencing shall be exempt from the fencing requirements specified in Section 102417(g)(5)(A) until such fence is replaced or structurally altered. If the licensee replaces or alters the fence, it shall be required to meet these requirements.

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

Pool fencing is one of those areas where inspectors measure, literally. They bring tape measures and check that your fence hits five feet, that the gate swings away from the pool, and that the self-latching mechanism actually works every time. The most common trigger for a write-up is a latch that sticks or requires jiggling. Test your gate latch weekly and document it. If you have a pool cover, inspectors will ask you to demonstrate that it's locked when the pool isn't in use, and some will press on it to verify it supports adult weight. If you were licensed before June 1995, your existing fence is grandfathered in, but the moment you replace a single section, the entire fence must meet current code.

By the numbers

12^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
9^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
141^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: More citations than the prior period
+8 facilities

12 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.

Check a facility

What other providers do

Common practices to stay clear of Pool Fence Requirements

Common practices shared by providers. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.

Common practices

Use only smooth, non-absorbent surfaces for food preparation
Ensure all food contact surfaces can be easily cleaned and sanitized
Replace worn or damaged food preparation equipment
Avoid porous materials that can harbor bacteria
Maintain food contact surfaces in good repair

What to avoid

Replacing one damaged fence panel and triggering the full compliance requirement. Providers don't realize that any structural alteration to a grandfathered fence means the entire barrier must now meet current standards. What starts as a $200 repair becomes a $3,000 project.
Installing a fence that blocks the view of the pool from the yard. The regulation requires the fence to not obscure the pool from view, which means solid wood privacy fences typically fail inspection. Use wrought iron, chain link, or mesh panels instead.
Letting the self-latching mechanism degrade over time. Gate hardware corrodes, especially near chlorinated pools. Inspectors test the latch on every visit. If it doesn't catch on its own when the gate swings shut, that's an immediate write-up.
Assuming a pool cover alone is sufficient without proper fencing. Both are required. The cover must be lockable and able to support an adult's full weight. Inspectors check that you actually lock it when the pool is not in active, supervised use.

Regional record

Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days

Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records. Click a county to see its weekly intelligence report.

Regional citations for Pool Fence Requirements, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
Riverside	3	--	--
Tulare	2	--	--
Fresno	1	--	--
Merced	1	--	--
Sonoma	1	--	--
San Diego	1	--	--
Stanislaus	1	--	--
Los Angeles	1	--	--
San Bernardino	1	--	--

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citations2026-05-14Updated weekly

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.

What is the Pool Fencing Requirement?

California Code Section 102417(g)(5)(A) requires family child care homes with pools to have fencing at least five feet high that doesn't block the view of the pool, with gates that swing away from the pool, self-close, and self-latch within six inches of the gate top. Pool covers must support an adult's full weight and be locked when the pool isn't in supervised use. For your home, this means both a compliant barrier and a functioning cover are required, not one or the other.

How common is this citation?

According to California CCLD inspection records as of March 15, 2026, 3 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 3 California counties: Los Angeles, Solano, and Tulare. That's roughly 1 in 13,333 inspected facilities. Pool-related citations are treated seriously by CCLD because they involve drowning risk. Even a single deficiency in fencing or latch function can trigger an immediate correction requirement.

What triggers this citation during an inspection?

Inspectors bring tape measures and physically test your pool barrier. They measure fence height, check that the gate swings away from the pool, and let the gate go to see if the latch catches on its own every time. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, the most common trigger is a self-latching mechanism that sticks or requires jiggling. They also verify your pool cover is locked when not in supervised use and may press on it to test weight capacity.

How can I prevent this citation?

Test your gate latch weekly and document it. The latch must catch every time the gate swings shut without anyone touching it. Inspect fence panels monthly for damage, sagging, or gaps at the bottom. If your facility was licensed before June 1995, know that any structural alteration to your grandfathered fence triggers full compliance with current code. Lock your pool cover every time the pool is not in active, supervised use.

What should I do if I receive this citation?

Address the specific deficiency immediately: replace a corroded latch, repair fence panels to reach five feet, or install a proper locking mechanism on the pool cover. Keep receipts for all repairs and take dated photos showing the completed work. Be aware that replacing a single section of grandfathered fencing means the entire barrier must now meet current standards, which can turn a $200 fix into a larger project. For complex situations, consider consulting a licensed childcare compliance specialist.

Related violations

Other citations in this regulation family

This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed child care compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.

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