| Most cities that I have worked in in the Bay Area have required permits for a pond. Mike is right, really the only reason is for safety concerns. Anything over 18" deep needs to be protected from the public so that no children or animals fall in and drown. The permit is usually to make sure you have the proper set backs and that all doors leading from the house to the pond have an alarm that will go off when the door is opened. Also, side gates need to be self closing and open out toward the street. The perimeter fence needs to be 5' tall. Some cities require engineereing for anything over 3' deep. |