Swimming pool rules in Malibu, California
Pools and spas are allowed as accessory structures on Malibu residential lots. An in-ground pool can extend into required yards if it stays at least 5 ft from property lines and the house and no more than 2.5 ft above grade. Every pool must be double-wall construction with leak detection, and chlorinated pool water can't be drained off the property.
| In-ground pool setback | 5 ft from property lines and main structure [1] |
| Max height above grade (in yards) | 2.5 feet [1] |
| Pool equipment | At least 3 ft from property line; screened by a solid wall or fence [2] |
| Pools and spas allowed | As accessory to a single-family home [3] |
| Construction | Double wall with drains and leak detection [4] |
| Sanitization | Alternative (no- or low-chlorine) methods required [5] |
| Draining | No discharge of chlorinated water [5] |
| Beachfront lots | Not seaward of the deck stringline [6] |
| Bluff-top lots | Landward of the bluff setback [7] |
Where a pool can go
These rules come from Malibu's Local Implementation Plan as of September 2020 (the Municipal Code wasn't available to us), so check for later changes. Pools, spas and pool cabanas are allowed as accessory structures with a single-family home [3]. Underground structures such as swimming pools can extend into any required yard. They must stay no more than 2.5 ft above grade and at least 5 ft from every property line and from the main house [1].
Ground-mounted pool equipment can go in side and rear yards if it's at least 3 ft from the property line. It must be screened by a solid wall or fence on all sides, or on three sides when it sits next to the house [2].
Construction and water quality
The Local Implementation Plan's hazard standards require double-wall construction with drains and a leak detection system for every pool [4]. The water-quality chapter requires alternative sanitization (no- or low-chlorine) for all pools and spas and bans discharging chlorinated pool water [5]. Non-chlorinated water also can't be drained into a street, storm drain, creek or canyon.
Beachfront and bluff lots
- Beachfront: pools and spas may extend seaward of the house stringline, but never seaward of the deck stringline [6].
- Bluff-top: pools and spas must be built landward of the bluff setback (generally 100 ft from the bluff edge, reducible to 50 ft with geotechnical approval). They also need a geotechnical pool/spa submittal [7].
Permits and safety barriers
A pool at an existing single-family home is generally exempt from a coastal development permit [8]. The exemption doesn't apply on a beach, in a wetland or habitat area, within 50 ft of a coastal bluff, or in a city-declared water-shortage area. You'll still likely need a building permit from the city. Barrier and fencing rules for pools are in the state Swimming Pool Safety Act and Municipal Code Title 15, which we couldn't review. The city's fence rules allow a fence taller than the normal limit when state law requires it.
Hot tubs
Spas follow the same accessory-structure, double-wall and sanitization rules as pools.
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Next steps
- Site the pool at least 5 ft from all property lines and the house, and keep any above-grade portion under 2.5 ft in required yards.
- If you're on a beachfront or bluff-top lot, get a geotechnical report and check the stringline and bluff setback with the Planning Department (310-456-2489).
- Apply to the Building Safety Division for a pool permit with double-wall construction and leak detection, a no- or low-chlorine sanitization system, and a state-compliant safety barrier.
- Plan to screen pool equipment with a solid wall or fence and keep it 3 ft from the property line.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit for a pool in Malibu, California?
- Likely yes. A pool at an existing single-family home is generally exempt from a coastal development permit, except on a beach, in a wetland or habitat area, within 50 ft of a coastal bluff, or in a water-shortage area, but you'll still likely need a building permit from the city.
- How close to the property line can a pool be in Malibu, California?
- An in-ground pool can extend into required yards if it stays at least 5 ft from every property line and the main house and no more than 2.5 ft above grade. Pool equipment must be at least 3 ft from the property line and screened by a solid wall or fence.
- What are the pool construction requirements in Malibu, California?
- Every pool must be double-wall construction with drains and a leak detection system. Pools and spas must use no- or low-chlorine sanitization, and chlorinated pool water can't be drained off the property.
- Can I put a hot tub in my yard in Malibu, California?
- Yes. Spas follow the same accessory-structure, double-wall and sanitization rules as pools in Malibu.
- Can I build a pool on a beachfront or bluff lot in Malibu, California?
- Yes, with limits. On beachfront lots, pools may extend seaward of the house stringline but never seaward of the deck stringline. On bluff tops they must be landward of the bluff setback, generally 100 ft from the edge (reducible to 50 ft with geotechnical approval).
California state rules for swimming pools
Pools need a city or county building permit, and local zoning sets setbacks. The state's Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code §115920 et seq.) adds safety rules:
- Drowning prevention features: when a building permit is issued for a new pool or spa, or to remodel one, at a private single-family home, it must have at least two of seven safety features (§115922):
- an enclosure that isolates the pool from the house
- removable mesh fencing (ASTM F2286) with a self-closing, self-latching gate
- a safety pool cover (ASTM F1346-23)
- exit alarms on doors and windows that open directly to the pool
- self-closing, self-latching devices on those doors, released at least 54 inches up
- a pool alarm (ASTM F2208; child-worn alarms don't count)
- other equally protective, independently verified means
- Some pairs don't count, such as a safety cover plus a pool alarm. The building official inspects before final approval.
- Enclosure standards (§115923): at least 60 inches high, no more than 2 inches of clearance at the bottom, gaps that won't pass a 4-inch sphere, no handholds or footholds, and gates that open away from the pool with self-latches at least 60 inches up.
- What counts as a pool: any structure with water over 18 inches deep, including above-ground pools, hot tubs and spas (§115921). Spas with a locking ASTM F1346 cover, apartment complexes and public pools are exempt (§115925).
- Small pools: the 2025 Residential Code exempts prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep from a building permit.
What the ordinance says
- LIP Sec. 3.5.3(B)(6), Malibu LCP Local Implementation Plan (current through Supp. 13, Sept. 2020; Ord. 461, 4-13-2020), p. 101
Underground structures, such as swimming pools, may project without limit into any required yards; provided, that such structures shall not have a height of more than two and one-half feet above adjacent grade and shall not be located closer than five feet to any property line, or main structure.
- LIP Sec. 3.5.3(B)(8)(a), Malibu LCP Local Implementation Plan (current through Supp. 13, Sept. 2020; Ord. 461, 4-13-2020), p. 101
Ground-mounted pool equipment, air conditioners and built-in barbecues, provided that the equipment shall not be located closer than three feet to the property line. Ground mounted pool and air conditioning equipment must be screened by a solid wall or fence on all sides, except in cases where the equipment is located next to a dwelling, in which case the equip- ment must be screened on the three sides not adjacent to the dwelling.
- LIP Sec. 3.6(N)(2)(a), Malibu LCP Local Implementation Plan (current through Supp. 13, Sept. 2020; Ord. 461, 4-13-2020), p. 113
Accessory structures customarily ancillary to single family dwellings including, but not lim- ited to, a stable, workshop, gym, studio, pool cabana, office, sport court, pool, or spa may be permitted as an accessory to a permitted or existing single-family dwelling.
- LIP Sec. 9.4(L), Malibu LCP Local Implementation Plan (current through Supp. 13, Sept. 2020; Ord. 461, 4-13-2020), p. 242
All swimming pools shall contain double wall construction with drains and leak detection systems ca- pable of sensing a leak of the inner wall.
- LIP Sec. 17.5.6, Malibu LCP Local Implementation Plan (current through Supp. 13, Sept. 2020; Ord. 461, 4-13-2020), p. 350
Alternative sanitization methods are required for all pools and spas. This may include no chlorine or low chlorine sanitization methods. • Prohibit discharge of chlorinated pool water.
- LIP Sec. 3.6(G)(6), Malibu LCP Local Implementation Plan (current through Supp. 13, Sept. 2020; Ord. 461, 4-13-2020), p. 107
Swimming pools and spas. Pools and spas may project seaward of the dwelling stringline, but in no case may they project seaward of the deck stringline.
- LIP Sec. 10.4(E), Malibu LCP Local Implementation Plan (current through Supp. 13, Sept. 2020; Ord. 461, 4-13-2020), p. 249
In addition, swimming pools and spas shall be located land- ward of the structural setback requirements as outlined in Section 10.4.D of the Malibu LIP. In addi- tion, all swimming pools and spas shall be of double wall construction with subdrains between the walls and leak detection systems.
- LIP Sec. 13.4.1(A), Malibu LCP Local Implementation Plan (current through Supp. 13, Sept. 2020; Ord. 461, 4-13-2020), p. 276
For purposes of this section, the terms “Improvements to existing single-family residences” includes all fixtures and struc- tures directly attached to the residence and those structures normally associated with a single family residence, such as garages, swimming pools, fences, storage sheds and landscaping but specifically not including guest houses or accessory self-contained residential units.