Swimming pool rules in Westlake Village, California
Yes. A pool can go in your rear yard as long as it's at least 5 feet from every lot line, and pool pumps, heaters and filters must be at least 2.5 feet from lot lines, no taller than 6 feet, and screened by a solid fence or wall. You need a City Zoning Clearance and a Los Angeles County building permit, and state pool-safety barrier rules apply.
| Pool setback from lot lines | 5 feet (rear yard) [1] |
| Pool equipment setback | 2.5 feet from lot lines [2] |
| Pool equipment max height | 6 feet, screened by solid fence or wall [2] |
| Fence permit | Needed for any pool fence or wall over 42 inches [5] |
| Building permits issued by | L.A. County Building and Safety [4] |
Where the pool can go
The zoning code allows a swimming pool in the required rear yard as long as it's at least 5 feet from any lot line [1]. Pool pumps, heaters, filters and similar equipment can sit in the rear yard at least 2.5 feet from lot lines, no more than 6 feet tall, and screened by a solid fence or wall [2].
Neighborhood exceptions
Some neighborhoods have conditions of approval that supersede the code [8]. In Lakeshore, rear-yard setbacks for pools and walls can be reduced to zero if dwellings on adjoining lots stay 30 feet apart [6]. Attached homes there may have zero side setbacks for pools [7]. In Southshore and Westlake Island, the rear setback is zero, but every structure must be at least 30 feet from the main home on the lot behind [10]. Check your neighborhood's conditions and your HOA's rules.
Permits
The Planning Department issues a Zoning Clearance before any building permit to confirm the project meets the zoning code [9]. Westlake Village's Building Official is the Los Angeles County Engineer [3], and building permits come from L.A. County Public Works' Building and Safety Division [4]. A pool fence or wall over 42 inches also needs a City fence permit [5], and fences must meet the City's height and material rules (see Fences).
Safety barriers and spas
The City's code sections we reviewed don't add their own pool-barrier or hot-tub rules. State law applies: a new or remodeled pool or spa at a home must have at least two drowning-prevention features, and enclosures must meet state height and gate standards. Above-ground pools and hot tubs deeper than 18 inches count as pools under state law.
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Next steps
- Check your neighborhood's conditions of approval and get HOA approval for the pool and any fencing.
- Submit a site plan showing the pool and equipment locations and setbacks to the Westlake Village Planning Department for a Zoning Clearance (818-706-1613).
- Apply for the pool building permit (and any electrical/plumbing permits) with L.A. County Building & Safety, Calabasas office (818-880-4150), showing which state drowning-prevention features you'll install.
- If the pool fence or wall will be over 42 inches tall, apply for a City Fence Permit.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit for a pool in Westlake Village, California?
- Yes. You need a City Zoning Clearance from the Planning Department and a building permit from L.A. County Building and Safety. A pool fence or wall over 42 inches also needs a City fence permit.
- What is the pool setback in Westlake Village, California?
- A pool can go in the required rear yard as long as it's at least 5 feet from any lot line. Some neighborhoods, like Lakeshore, Southshore and Westlake Island, have conditions of approval that change rear setbacks.
- How far does pool equipment need to be from the property line in Westlake Village, California?
- Pool pumps, heaters and filters must be at least 2.5 feet from lot lines, no more than 6 feet tall, and screened by a solid fence or wall.
- What are the pool fence requirements in Westlake Village, California?
- The City's code doesn't add its own pool-barrier rules, so state law applies: a new or remodeled pool or spa at a home needs at least two drowning-prevention features. Hot tubs deeper than 18 inches count as pools under state law.
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
- Sec. 9.14.040(2), Municipal Code Article 9 Ch. 9.14 Development Standards (9.14.040 accessory structures and equipment; 9.14.050 fences, walls and screening; 9.14.070-9.14.080 accessory dwelling units and JADUs; 9.14.090 two units/SB 9), p. 1
A swimming pool is permitted in a required rear yard, no closer than five (5) feet to any lot line.
- Sec. 9.14.040(3), Municipal Code Article 9 Ch. 9.14 Development Standards (9.14.040 accessory structures and equipment; 9.14.050 fences, walls and screening; 9.14.070-9.14.080 accessory dwelling units and JADUs; 9.14.090 two units/SB 9), p. 1
Ground-mounted air conditioners, swimming pool pumps, heaters, filters and fans may be used in a required rear yard provided that such structures or equipment are not closer than two and one-half (2½) feet to any lot line, and that such structures or equipment do not exceed a height of six (6) feet measured from the base of the unit. Such equipment shall be screened by solid fence or wall.
- Sec. 8.1.010, Municipal Code Article 8 Building Regulations (8.1 building code incl. pool provisions; 8.5 floodplain management), p. 1
"Building Official" shall mean the County Engineer of the County of Los Angeles.
- Sec. 8.1.010, Municipal Code Article 8 Building Regulations (8.1 building code incl. pool provisions; 8.5 floodplain management), p. 1
"Department of Building and Safety" shall mean the Building and Safety Division of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.
- Sec. 9.14.050(A), Municipal Code Article 9 Ch. 9.14 Development Standards (9.14.040 accessory structures and equipment; 9.14.050 fences, walls and screening; 9.14.070-9.14.080 accessory dwelling units and JADUs; 9.14.090 two units/SB 9), p. 1
Permit Required. No person shall erect or construct a fence or wall exceeding forty-two (42) inches in height within the City without first obtaining approval of a fence permit from the Planning Director and City Manager, unless said fence or wall has been previously authorized by the City Council as part of an approved development permit.
- Lakeshore Conditions of Approval, condition 9, Neighborhood Conditions of Approval - Lakeshore, p. 1
The rear yard setback may be reduced to zero for all structures and equipment, including dwelling units, garages, swimming pools, and walls, so long as there is a minimum of 30 feet between dwelling units on adjoining lots to the rear.
- Lakeshore Conditions of Approval, condition 8, Neighborhood Conditions of Approval - Lakeshore, p. 1
Attached dwelling units may have zero side yard setbacks for all structures and equipment, including dwelling units, garages, swimming pools, and walls.
- City webpage, Residential Development & Design Standards, Residential Development & Design Standards - City webpage (neighborhood conditions of approval), p. 1
In those cases, the special conditions supersede any conflicting standards in the Municipal Code.
- Sec. 9.2 (Definitions), Zoning Clearance, Municipal Code Article 9 Ch. 9.2 Definitions, p. 1
"Zoning Clearance" means a ministerial certificate issued by the Planning Department prior to issuance of any building permit to ensure that the proposed use and/or construction complies with all of the provisions of the zone in which it is located, as well as all other applicable provisions of this Article.
- Southshore and Westlake Island Conditions of Approval, condition 4, Neighborhood Conditions of Approval - Southshore and Westlake Island, p. 1
The minimum rear yard setback is zero except that all structures must be located at least 30 feet away from the main dwelling unit on the rear adjoining lot.