Pretty early on, we realized that this reinterpretation posed major, unforeseen challenges that limited pool access. People now needed to leave the pool area if they wanted to sit by a fire, visit the BBQ area, or order food and drinks from the bar/restaurant, all because the code required that these amenities be designed well outside of the pool enclosure. Among the unintended consequences, parents would have to choose between leaving a child unattended within the enclosure and bringing them out of the pool area just to use an amenity.

We assembled a task force that included developers, an entitlements consultant, pool consultants, and fellow architects to help resolve these issues. Armed with real-world technical experience, our team compiled case studies of pools in Los Angeles and surrounding counties where the code was interpreted in various different ways. These studies helped show the impact of this reinterpretation.

In a series of meetings with the LA County Health Department (facilitated by the Central City Association), our team worked directly with county officials to create a new code clarification.

Introducing our latest project: Released in October 2019 by LA County, this bulletin has many new (and improved) clarifications. Most notably:

• Hotel amenities (such as bars, restaurants, and firepits) are allowed to be in a pool enclosure if they are operated by the same operator of the pool, and if there are equal amenities outside the enclosure for non-pool users.

• Apartment amenities (such as BBQ areas, firepits, and community rooms) can be included within the pool enclosure as long as there are equal amenities outside of the enclosure for non-pool users.

This bulletin impacts all new and renovated pools in LA County. Safer, more welcoming pools are once again a feature of LA's residential and hotel projects.

Our Team