AB 1237: Swimming pool safety: building codes: condominium and hotel rooms.

(1)Existing law, the California Building Standards Law, requires the California Building Standards Commission to publish the California Building Standards Code, which contains, among others, the California Building Code and the California Residential Code, as provided. Existing law requires the commission to publish the text of the Swimming Pool Safety Act in the California Residential Code.

This bill would require, on or before March 1, 2027, the commission to also publish the text of the Swimming Pool Safety Act in the California Building Code, as specified.

(2)Under the Swimming Pool Safety Act, upon the issuance of a building permit for the construction of a new swimming pool or spa, or the remodeling of an existing pool or spa, at a private, single-family home, the pool or spa is required to be equipped with at least 2 of 7 specified drowning prevention safety features, as provided. The act does not apply to a public swimming pool.

This bill would, for purposes of the act, require a swimming pool or spa on or within a private balcony, patio, or terrace of, a condominium unit or hotel room to meet the same requirements as a pool or spa at a private, single-family home. To the extent the bill would increase the number of building permits issued by local jurisdictions, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

(3)Existing law governs the construction, operation, and maintenance of a public swimming pool, as defined. Existing law, the Yasmin Palesoo Memorial Swimming Pool Safety Law, requires an underwater lighting system in a public swimming pool, as defined, to be installed so that there is no shock hazard, as provided. Existing law governs the circulation system of a public swimming pool, as defined, including, but not limited to, requiring antientrapment devices, safety vacuum release systems, or automatic pump shutoff systems, as provided.

This bill would exclude a swimming pool or spa on or within a private balcony, patio, or terrace of, a condominium unit or hotel room from these requirements on a public swimming pool. This bill would, on or before March 1, 2027, require the State Department of Public Health to adopt regulations, as necessary, to implement these changes, as specified. The bill would prohibit a swimming pool or spa on or within a private balcony, patio, or terrace of, a condominium unit or hotel room, or at a private single-family home, from being subject to a requirement applicable to a public swimming pool, public pool, public pool site, or spa, as those terms are used in certain statutes and regulations relating to public swimming pools and the California Building Code.

(4)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.