Speaking of digging, some homeowners may like to build a swimming pool after purchasing their home.
License requirement by CA law: Swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs can be built by contractors with a C-53 Swimming Pool contractor license.
A “B” General Building contractor and a C-27 Landscape contractor may also contract for swimming pool work, provided they hold the swimming pool specialty classification or they enter into a subcontract with a licensed C-53 to perform the actual work.
When a permit is issued for a new or remodeled pool/spa at private, single family home: Pool or spa is required to have at least 2 of 7 specified drowning prevention safety features.
- An enclosure isolating the pool or spa from a single-family home.
- A qualified, removable mesh fencing with a self-closing, self-latching gate with a lock.
- An approved safety pool cover.
- Exit alarms on the home’s doors that provide direct access to the swimming pool or spa.
- On home doors leading to a pool/spa, a self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism that is at least 54 inches above the ground.
- An alarm that, when placed in the swimming pool or the spa, sounds when an unauthorized person enters the water.
- Another means of protection accepted under the law.
A detail of new law could be found from CREIA (California Real Estate Inspection of Association)