AB 1237: Swimming pool safety: building codes: condominium units.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

(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 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 Paleso’o 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 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 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.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 13, 2026In committee: Held under submission.
2. August 3, 2026In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
3. July 2, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. July 2, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (July 1).
5. June 25, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.
6. June 15, 2026Re-referred to Coms. on HOUSING and HEALTH.
7. June 12, 2026Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
8. June 12, 2026Withdrawn from committee.
9. June 11, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.
10. June 2, 2025Re-referred to Coms. on B. P. & E.D. and TRANS.
11. June 2, 2025Withdrawn from committee.
12. May 29, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on TRANS.