New Pools and Spas in Los Angeles County
Pools and spas in Los Angeles County
70.3% of Los Angeles County housing units were built before 1980 (Census 2020–2024), and the median year built is 1965.
Los Angeles County at a glance
- Housing units built before 1980, Los Angeles County
- 70.3%
- Median year structure built, Los Angeles County
- 1965
- Owner-occupied share of occupied units, Los Angeles County
- 45.9%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates · data as of
- Numbers from US Census and LADBS public records
- Up to three local contractors, never a long list
- Free, no obligation
What do permits say a new pool or spa costs?
From City of LA building permits, last 12 months. Not a contract price. How we calculate this
Declared values on City of Los Angeles building permits, last 12 months. The dataset covers the City of Los Angeles only, so treat it as a regional reference for Los Angeles County. A declared value is what the permit states, not your contract price. How we calculate this.
Source: LA Department of Building and Safety, Building Permits Issued 2020 to Present (data.lacity.org), permits on one- and two-family homes issued to ; fire rebuilds excluded. ZIP medians need 20+ permits.
Los Angeles County housing and City of Los Angeles pool permits
Los Angeles County housing and City of Los Angeles pool permits
Local numbers for Los Angeles County, each with its source and date.
- Median value of owner-occupied homes, Los Angeles County1
- $834,200
- Total housing units, Los Angeles County1
- 3,650,466
- New pool/spa permits issued, last 12 months, City of Los Angeles2
- 2,184 permits
- Median declared permit valuation, one- and two-family pool/spa permits, last 12 months, City of Los Angeles2
- $25,000
- Median days from submission to issue, one- and two-family pool/spa permits, last 12 months, City of Los Angeles2
- 28 days
Planning your project
What Los Angeles County homes mean for your new pool or spa
In Los Angeles County, 70.3% of housing units were built before 1980, and the median year built is 1965 (Census 2020–2024). If you are planning a new pool or spa, an older home means checking the yard, sewer line and electrical service before you settle on a design.
Owner-occupied homes make up 45.9% of occupied units in the county, so many homes are rented. If you own a rental, plan the work around your tenants' schedule. The median value of owner-occupied homes is $834,200 (Census 2020–2024). Use that figure only to weigh budget against resale in general terms. It does not predict what a pool adds to a home's value.
In the City of Los Angeles, the median declared valuation on new pool and spa permits for one- and two-family homes was $25,000 over the last 12 months. The city issued 2,184 new pool and spa permits of all property types over the same period, and the median time from submission to issue was 28 days. These figures cover the city only, not the whole county, and a declared value is not the full project cost. Each city in the county runs its own permits, so check with yours.
Declared permit value for new pools and spas in the City of Los Angeles
| Project | Figure | Range on a shared scale |
|---|---|---|
| Median declared permit valuation, new pool/spa permits on one- and two-family homes, City of Los Angeles, last 12 monthsA declared value on the building permit, not the contract price or the full project cost. | $25,000 |
Bars share one scale, from $0 to $25,000.
A declared value on City of Los Angeles permits for one- or two-family homes over the last 12 months. It is usually below the real project cost. Get an estimate for your home.
The typical path for a new pool or spa
The typical path for a new pool or spa
Check your yard
Measure the space, and check access for excavation equipment, setbacks from property lines, drainage, and where the utilities run.
Design the pool or spa
Choose a pool or spa and a layout that fits the lot, the budget, and how you plan to use it.
Plan check and permit
Your builder prepares plans for plan check. Your city reviews them and issues the permit. Each city runs its own process.
Excavation and steel
Excavation and steel work happen next, with inspections at each stage.
Plumbing and electrical
Plumbing and electrical work follow. In older homes, check the sewer line and electrical service for pumps and heaters, since they may need upgrades.
Shell and finishes
The shell is finished, then the tile, decking, and other surfaces are completed.
Safety barrier and final inspection
Install a safety barrier around the pool, then complete the final inspection before you use it.
Questions homeowners ask before a new pool or spa
Who issues the permit for a pool or spa?
Each city in Los Angeles County runs its own permits, so check with the building department in your city. In the City of Los Angeles, the Department of Building and Safety recorded 2,184 permits for new pools and spas of all property types over the last 12 months.
Does an older home make a pool harder to build?
Many homes here are older. The Census counted 70.3% of Los Angeles County housing units as built before 1980, and the median year built is 1965. Older yards, sewer lines and electrical service may need checks or upgrades for pumps and heaters. These are things to check, not certainties for every house.
What does a pool or spa usually cost?
The median declared valuation on City of Los Angeles permits for new pool and spa work on one- and two-family homes was $25,000 over the last 12 months. A declared value is not the full project cost, so ask a local builder for an estimate for your home.
I own a rental home. Can I still add a pool?
Most occupied homes in the county are rented: 45.9% are owner-occupied. If you own a rental, plan the work around the schedule of whoever lives there and talk with your builder about what the project means for the property.
How do I get started?
Check your yard and your city's permit rules first. You can check any contractor's license status with the CSLB (Contractors State License Board). Then request a free estimate from a local builder using the form on this page.
Recent work by a contractor in our network
Photos from the contractor's own projects, used with permission. Captions name the type of work.
Pool and spa · new home 
Backyard pool · new home 
Outdoor kitchen and patio 
Pool and pergola 
Backyard pool 
Pool and patio
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