CITY OF PALM DESERT

Building & Safety Department

Pool & Spa Submittal Requirements

I N F O R M A T I O N A L

B U L L E T I N

Revised 08-18-14

73510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260

Phone: (760) 776-6420 Fax: (760) 776-6392

www.cityofpalmdesert.org

The Department of Building and Safety is dedicated to providing the highest level of code compliance, inspection services, and plan review to every architect, engineer, developer, contractor, business, and property owner that resides or works within our community. The Department strives to demonstrate fairness, equality, and the highest standard of professional ethics in providing our services while enforcing state construction laws and local ordinances that protect our citizens. The following information is being provided as a general guideline. It is not the full extent of the regulatory codes required for the construction of a swimming pool and spa. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Department of Building and Safety staff.

Table of Contents

I. Plan Design and Submittal Requirements

II. Title Sheet and Site Plan Requirements

III. Pool Shell (Vessel) Construction

IV. Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical Requirements

V. Safety Barrier Requirements

VI. Title 24 – Energy requirements

VII. Accessory Structures

VIII. City of Palm Desert Ordinance requirements

I. Plan Design and Submittal Requirements

a) Provide two (2) sets of one sided fully dimensioned plans, drawn to scale, at a

minimum of 11” x 17” size paper (California Building Code 107.2.1) and one (1) plot plan for the Assessor’s Copy. Plans to include:

Title Sheet Electrical Specifications Plumbing Specifications Plot/Site Plan Title 24 Energy Information Pool Structural Plan Accessory Structure Specification Manufacturer/Equipment Specifications

b) Required Clarity of Plans: (California Building Code 107.2.1)

All submitted plans are required quality blue or black line drawings with uniform and light

background color.

No pencil or erasable media.

Minimum lettering size of 1/8".

All hand written and/or hand drawn plans require block print font precise drafting.

All sticky back details must be produced prints without contrasting shades of background

color.

Please remove notes/information not applicable to the proposed scope of work.

c) Provide Planning Department Approval for this Project. Please contact the Planning

Department directly to coordinate approval(s).

d) Provide Public Works Department approval for this Project. Please contact the Public Works Department directly to coordinate the following approvals:

e) [For Commercial Only] Provide written evidence from Riverside County Health

Department, approving the swimming pool and/or spa construction or alteration for this Project. Contact the Health Department directly at: (760) 863-7000.

f) Preparer’s Signature. All construction documents (plans) shall bare the appropriate

stamp and signature for architects/engineers for structural elements/other systems and/or contractor’s license number and signature for non-structural pool/spa systems. Unlicensed individuals are prohibited from designing pools/spas and associated systems. (Business and Professions Code §5537)

II. Title Sheet / Site Plan Requirements

Please provide a complete site plan, include all property lines, easements, structures, pool equipment, equipment screen walls, overhead lines etc. (California Building Code §107.2.5)

Dimension all structures from the pool edge including overhangs and eaves. Site plan shall bear the name and wet signature of the plan preparer.

Provide a note on the plans that the proposed construction will conform to the current codes:

2013 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE (Based on 2012 IBC) 2013 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE (Based on 2012 UMC) 2013 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE (Based on 2012 UPC) 2013 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE (Based on 2011 NEC) 2013 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE (Based on 2011 Standards)

Provide the following information on the cover sheet:

Palm Desert Municipal Code requirements:

A. Approved temporary sanitary facilities (i.e. chemical toilets shall be on the construction site

prior to request for first inspection). (Health and Safety Code, Section 5416)

B. Contractor and/or owner shall provide a trash bin to insure proper clean-up of all building

materials. (Ordinance No. 262 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code)

C. Storage of building materials or debris shall be confined to the lot or which the permit is

issued. Adjacent vacant properties may not be utilized for this purpose unless written permission of the owner is on file with this office. The public right-of-way shall be maintained in a clear condition at all times. (Palm Desert Municipal Code, Chapter 8.02)

D. Address numerals shall comply with Palm Desert Ordinance No. 1006. You may request a

copy of the Ordinance at the Building Department.

E. CONSTRUCTION HOURS:

***Violation of the above work hours is a citable offense under Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 9.24.070.

Remove notes/information not applicable to the proposed scope of work.

OCTOBER 1 THRU APRIL 30 MAY 1 THRU SEPTEMBER 30 Monday – Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday – Friday: 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Saturday - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday - NOT ALLOWED Sunday - NOT ALLOWED Government Code Holidays - NOT ALLOWED Government Code Holidays - NOT ALLOWED

III. Pool Shell (Vessel) Construction

The licensed professional must stamp and sign all structural plans.

The Structural Engineer of Record and/or Contractor is required to strike-out all

engineering details and tables not applicable to this project.

Note: Any structural not included in the “boiler plate” engineering sheet must be

specifically addressed by the Engineer/Architect of Record.

Identify pool depths within the footprint of the pool.

All notes and details must be legible.

IV. Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Requirements:

Electrical

Provide sufficient general and specific electrical notes within the plan set to fully

identify and demonstrate all electrical equipment, receptacle, lighting, grounding, and

bonding per Article 680 of the 2013 California Electrical Code.

Identify and demonstrate all outlets, receptacles, and lighting within the plan set

(CEC §680.22).

Identify and demonstrate all underwater lighting (CEC §680.23).

Identify and demonstrate all equipotential bonding (CEC §680.26).

Identify all conduit & conductor type/size serving pool/spa equipment.

A single line diagram is required when adding a sub-panel. Provide location of the

existing service panel and the new sub-panel.

Provide 36” working clearances for the pool equipment disconnect and subpanel

(California Electrical Code §110.26).

Overhead utility/service lines must comply with California Electrical Code ~ Table

680.8 for Overhead Conductor Clearances. If none exist, please state clearly on the

site plan.

Mechanical/Plumbing

Provide manufacturer’s equipment specifications for all heaters and pumps.

Provide gas isometric with type of material, length of pipe, BTU demand, etc.

(California Plumbing Code ~ Table 12-8)

For a proposed gas fire pit identify location and provide appliance/equipment shutoff

valve approval listing number. (California Plumbing Code §1212.5)

Please note on the plan, “All equipment shall be seismically anchored.”

V. SAFETY BARRIER REQUIREMENTS

Indicate the method of providing a pool safety barrier (The Building Department will

require applicants to declare on the permit which method of drowning prevention

safety feature(s) will be provided, per Swimming Pool Safety Act 115920 of the

California Health and Safety Code Effective 1-1-2007).

1. Enclosure

2. Removable Mesh Fencing

3. Safety Cover

4. Exit Alarms

5. Self-closing, Self-latching doors

6. Swimming Pool Alarms

7. Other Means of Protection

Provide location of anti-entrapment/vortex covers meeting current standards of the

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the American Society of

Mechanical Engineers (ASME).Identify a minimum 3 foot separation between all

drains and note hydraulically balanced.

SEE ADDITIONAL SHEET FOR FURTHER BARRIER REQUIREMENTS

VI. Title 24 – Energy Requirements (2013 Energy Standards)

All swimming pool and spas projects are required to conform to the 2013 California Energy

Code.

Identify and demonstrate within the plan set compliance with the 2013 California

Energy Code and 2013 Energy Standards. Include all Mandatory Measures (MF-1R)

for Pool and Spa Heating Systems and provide the required energy compliance

forms:

The following links are being provided as a resource:

California Energy Commission Website:

http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/2013standards/index.html

California Energy Commission Contacts:

http://www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/contacts.html

California Energy Swimming Pool and Spa Compliance Form

http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/2013standards/res_compliance_forms/CF2R/2013-CF2R-PLB-03-PoolAndSpaHeatingSystems.pdf

Pool Systems and Equipment

All residential pool systems an equipment shall comply with California Energy Code §150(p) for:

1. Pump sizing 2. Flow rate 3. System piping 4. Filters 5. Valves

VII. ACCESSORY STRUCTURES

Outdoor Kitchens and Barbeques:

a. Will the proposed barbeque be masonry, pre-fabricated, roll-out, etc.?

b. If masonry, provide construction details. Engineering may be required depending

on design. A C-29 Masonry Contractor is required to construct.

c. Provide detail for moisture protection between home and BBQ structure

construction;

d. If pre-fabricated, provide manufacturer name, current product listing, and copy of

manufacturer specifications.

e. Provide fuel gas isometrics, including calculations, sizing, and materials.

f. Provide plumbing isometrics, including sizing and materials.

Masonry Equipment Walls

a. When masonry construction is incidental to a swimming pool project, a C-53

Swimming Pool Contractor may (within the scope of a swimming pool permit)

construct the following:

5’ Pool/Spa Equipment Wall(s)

Remove/Replace Portions of CMU Wall(s) for Equipment Access

Only

CMU Barbeques

Fire pits / Fire rings

VIII. PALM DESERT ORDINANCE 1203 REQUIREMENTS

Production model homes shall be stubbed out for future solar pool-spa heaters. (City

of Palm Desert Ordinance No. 1203, Chapter 1507 Solar PV).

Three options to allow for the future addition of solar heating equipment:

Provide at least 36 inches of pipe between the filter and the heater to allow for the

future addition of solar heating equipment;

1) Plumb separate suction and return lines to the pool dedicated to future solar

heating;

2) Install built-up or built-in connections for future piping to solar water heating.

CITY OF PALM DESERT DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING & SAFETY

POLICY

FROM: Russell A. Grance, Director of Building and Safety DESCRIPTION: Equipotential Bonding – Pools (2008 NEC) APPROVED BY: Russell A. Grance, Director of Building and Safety DATE: December 27, 2010

680.26 — EQUIPOTENTIAL BONDING

The bonding rules for reducing voltage gradients around permanently installed pools, outdoor spas, or outdoor hot tubs were changed again. Perimeter Surfaces. An equipotential bonding grid shall extend 3 ft horizontally beyond the inside walls of a pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub, including unpaved, paved, and poured concrete surfaces.

The bonding grid shall comply with (a) or (b) and be attached to the conductive pool reinforcing steel at a minimum of four points uniformly spaced around the perimeter of the walls of a pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub.

(a) Structural Reinforcing Steel. Structural reinforcing steel [680.26(B)(1)(a)]

(b) Alternate Means. Equipotential bonding conductor meeting the following:

1. 8 AWG bare solid copper bonding conductor. 2. The bonding conductor shall follow the contour of the perimeter surface. 3. Listed splicing devices. 4. Bonding conductor shall be 18 to 24 in. from the inside walls of the pool. 5. Bonding conductor shall be secured within or under the perimeter surface

4 to 6 in. below the subgrade. Metallic Components. Metallic parts of the pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub structure shall be bonded to the equipotential grid. Underwater Metal Forming Shells. Metal forming shells and mounting brackets for luminaires and speakers shall be bonded to the equipotential grid.

Metal Fittings. Metal fittings sized 4 in. and larger that penetrates into the pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub structure, such as ladders and handrails shall be bonded to the equipotential grid. Electrical Equipment. Metal parts of electrical equipment associated with the pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub water circulating system, such as water heaters, pump motors, and metal parts of pool covers shall be bonded to the equipotential grid.

Exception: Metal parts of listed equipment incorporating an approved system of double insulation is not required to be bonded to the equipotential grid.

Double-Insulated Water Pump Motors. Where a double-insulated water-pump motor is installed, a solid 8 AWG copper conductor from the bonding grid shall be provided for a replacement motor. Pool Water Heaters. Pool water heaters shall be grounded and bonded in accordance with equipment instructions. Metal Wiring Methods and Equipment. Metal-sheathed cables and raceways, metal piping, and all fixed metal parts shall be bonded to the equipotential grid.

Exception No. 1: Where separated from the pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub structure by a permanent barrier. Exception No. 2: Where located more than 5 ft horizontally of the inside walls of the pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub structure. Exception No. 3: Where located more than 12 ft measured vertically above the maximum water level.

Pool Water. A minimum conductive surface area of 9 sq in. shall be installed in contact with the pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub structure water. This water bond is permitted to consist of metal parts that are bonded in 680.26(B).