Arizona is home to the 5th largest city in the US, Phoenix. Not only is Phoenix a major metropolis, it’s also located in the Southwest with a hot dry climate. As a result, Arizona has one of the largest collections of residential swimming pools among all the states. Phoenix, and neighboring cities such as Scottsdale, Peoria, Gilbert, Chandler, Glendale, and Mesa have all adopted pool barrier laws that require home owners with swimming pools to install a protective barrier, aka a pool fence, to prevent children from accessing the pool area when not under adult supervision. It’s important to know these laws and how they apply to your unique situation. Furthermore, each city has slight variations in their guidelines so it is wise to research the regulations for the city you reside in. For your convenience, you will find the pool barrier laws for most major Phoenix area cities below. In addition to city codes, state and county laws, as well as child protection services, also maintain their own set of regulations. These are also included in the tables below.
Phoenix Pool Barrier Laws »
Mesa Pool Fence Regulations »
Gilbert Pool Enclosure Laws »
Chandler Pool Fencing Code »
Peoria Pool Fence Laws »
Glendale Pool Barrier Regulations »
Scottsdale Pool Fence Rules »
Maricopa County Pool Enclosure Regulations »
Arizona Department of Child Safety Pool Fence Requirements »
Last reviewed for accuracy: Oct 25th, 2017
Phoenix Pool Barrier Laws
| Category | Rule / Regulation |
| Height | Be entirely enclosed by at least a five foot wall, fence or other barrier as measured on the exterior side of the wall, fence or barrier. |
| Climbing | The wall, fence or barrier shall not contain openings, handholds or footholds accessible from the exterior side of the enclosure that can be used to climb the wall, fence or barrier. |
| Pool Cover | The pool shall be protected by a motorized safety pool cover which requires the operation of a key switch which meets the American society of testing and materials emergency standards 13-89 and which does not require manual operation other than the use of the key switch. |
| Gate | Gates for the enclosure shall:
(a) Be self-closing and self-latching with the latch located at least fifty-four inches above the underlying ground or on the pool side of the gate with a release mechanism at least five inches below the top of the gate and no opening greater than one-half inch within twenty-four inches of the release mechanism or be secured by a padlock or similar device which requires a key, electric opener or integral combination which can have the latch at any height. (b) Open outward from the pool. |
| Fence Openings | Have no openings in the wall, fence or barrier through which a spherical object four inches in diameter can pass. The horizontal components of any wall, fence or barrier shall be spaced not less than forty-five inches apart measured vertically or shall be placed on the pool side of a wall, fence or barrier which shall not have any opening greater than one and three-quarter inches measured horizontally. Wire mesh or chain link fences shall have a maximum mesh size of one and three-quarter inches measured horizontally. |
| Placement | The wall, fence or barrier shall be at least twenty inches from the water’s edge. |
source: https://www.azleg.gov/ars/36/01681.htm
Mesa Pool Fence Regulations
| Category | Rule / Regulation |
| Dwelling Wall | 1. All doors with direct access to the pool through that wall shall be equipped with one of the following: a. A self-closing and self-latching device with the handle a minimum of fifty-four (54) inches above the floor. b. An alarm which produces an audible warning when the door is opened and is accordance with UL 2017. The alarm shall activate within 7 seconds and sound continuously for 30 seconds. The alarm shall not have an on/off switch. The alarm may have a by-pass which temporarily deactivates the alarm for a single opening. This deactivation shall not last longer than 15 seconds. This bypass switch/button must be mounted a minimum of 54” above the threshold of the door. c. THE GARAGE SERVICE DOOR THAT LEADS TO THE POOL AREA. GARAGE SERVICE DOORS MUST BE SELF-CLOSING & WITH A SELF-LATCHING DEVICE MOUNTED A MINIMUM OF 54” ABOVE THE THRESHOLD OF THE DOOR. d. Pet doors are not allowed in the barrier wall, unless the opening will not allow a 4 inch diameter sphere to pass through. |
| Height | The top of the barrier shall be at least 5 feet above grade measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool. |
| Climbing | Closely Spaced Horizontal Members: No climbable openings, handholds, or footholds are to be on the exterior side. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is less than 45 inches, the horizontal members shall be located on the swimming pool side of the fence. Spacing between vertical members shall not exceed 1.75 inches in width. Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 1.75 inches in width. |
| Climbing | Widely Spaced Horizontal Members: No climbable openings, handholds, or footholds are to be on the exterior side. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is 45 inches or more, spacing between vertical members shall not exceed 4 inches. Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 1.75 inches in width. |
| Pool Cover | The pool shall have a motorized safety pool cover installed, which requires the operation of a key switch which meets the American Society of Testing and Materials Emergency Standards 1346, and which does not require manual operation other than the use of the key switch that is located at least fifty-four (54) inches above grade. |
| Gate | Pedestrian access gates shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device. Gates other than pedestrian access gates shall have a self-latching device. Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than 54 inches from the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate at least 3 inches below the top of the gate, and the gate and barrier shall have no opening greater than 0.5 inch within 18 inches of the release mechanism. All gates must open away from the pool area. |
| Fence Openings | Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere |
source: https://www.mesaaz.gov/home/showdocument?id=4450
Gilbert Pool Enclosure Laws
| Category | Rule / Regulation |
| Height | Not less than 5 feet nor more than 6 feet |
| Openings | Openings shall be of a size to prohibit a spherical object 4 inches in diameter from passing through or under the fence or gate. |
| Materials | All swimming pools shall be enclosed by walls of a single family residential building or by a solid wall or a chain link or wrought iron fence |
| Gates | Gates shall be substantially the same height as the wall or the fence and shall be self-closing and self-latching and be constructed to prevent uninvited access. Double width gates which are not the sole means of ingress and egress shall not be required to be self-closing and self-latching but must be padlocked at all times when not being used |
Chandler Pool Fencing Code
| Category | Rule / Regulation |
| Height | Fencing must be at least six feet high, but not to exceed seven feet in height. Five foot minimun measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool. |
| Fence Material | No wood. masonry, Concrete or decorative fencing only. |
| Gates – General | All pedestrian access gates in a pool barrier shall be self-closing and self-latching and must open outward from the pool. |
| Gates – Leaf | All gate leafs 4 feet or less are to be considered as pedestrian gates and must be selfclosing and self-latching, with a latch height at 54 inches above grade. An RV gate that is the only way to get from the front of the house to the back of the house, without going through the house (i.e. it may also be used as a pedestrian gate), requires one of the leafs to be self-closing and self latching regardless of how wide it is if there is not a separate interior fence. All gate leafs over 4 feet must be secured with a locking device and be kept locked. |
| Gates – Latch | A spring-loaded hinge may be used to make a gate self-closing. This is a stretch spring mounted horizontally from the gate to a post or pilaster or a torque spring mounted in an almost vertical position fro the gate to a post or pilaster. The torque spring is to be mounted on the face of the gate that will allow the torque spring to unwind and PUSH the gate to the latched position. |
| Openings | There shall be no horizontal or vertical openings, holes, or gaps in the interior barrier large enough for a sphere 4 inches in diameter to pass through. The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be 2 inches measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the pool. |
| Climbing | A barrier fence or wall shall have no handholds, footholds or horizontal members accessible from the exterior side of the enclosure. Horizontal members of fences shall be spaced not less than 45 inches apart measured vertically, or shall be placed on the pool side of a fence which has no opening greater than 1¾ inches measured horizontally. |
| Windows | All windows facing on a swimming pool enclosure shall be equipped with a latching device. For emergency escape or rescue windows, the latching device shall be located not less than 54 inches above the finished floor. For all other openable dwelling unit or garage windows, the latching device shall consist of one of the following – A keyed lock that prevents opening the window more than 4 inches, A screwed-in-place wire mesh screen, A latching device located not less than 54 inches above the finished floor |
| Pool Covers | A hard safety cover, which may be latched or locked, shall be deemed to meet all barrier requirements of this section for any spa or hot tub, which does not exceed 8 feet in width at any peripheral point. A key-operated, motorized safety cover may be used to meet the requirements of this section |
source: https://www.chandleraz.gov/Content/PoolBarrierGuidelines.pdf
Peoria Pool Fence Laws
| Category | Rule / Regulation |
| Windows |
Emergency escape or rescue windows from sleeping rooms which face within a swimming pool enclosure will be equipped with a latching device located not less than fifty-four (54) inches above the floor. All other dwelling units or guest rooms having windows that open facing within a pool enclosure will be equipped with a screwed in place wire mesh screen over the openable window area, a keyed lock that prevents opening the window more than 4 inches, or a latching device not less than 54 inches above the floor. Locks will not be allowed on sleeping room windows.
|
| Height | 5 foot fence or wall is required |
| Gates | All gates in a swimming pool barrier/enclosure will be equipped to accommodate a locking device. All pedestrian access gates will open outwards away from the pool. Gates other than pedestrian access gates need not be self-closing or self-latching when they are kept secured by a padlock or similar locking device. |
| Gate Latch | Gate latches will be located not less than fifty-four (54) inches above the bottom of the gate. The following will apply if the gate latch is located less than fifty-four (54) inches above the bottom of the gate: 1. The release mechanism will be located on the poolside of the gate at least three (3) inches below the top of the gate. 2. The gate barrier will have no opening greater than 1/2 inch within eighteen (18) inches of the release mechanism. |
| Doors | Doors giving direct access to pool must be self-closing; self-latching with the latch located a minimum of fifty-four (54) inches above the floor. |
source: https://www.peoriaaz.gov/home/showdocument?id=1776
Glendale Pool Barrier Regulations
| Category | Rule / Regulation |
| Height | Be entirely enclosed by at least a five (5) foot wall, fence or other barrier as measured on the exterior side of the wall, fence or barrier. A dwelling house or accessory building may be used as part of such enclosure. |
| Openings | Have no openings in the wall, fence or barrier through which a spherical object four (4) inches in diameter can pass. The horizontal components of any wall, fence or barrier shall be spaced not less than forty-five (45) inches apart measured vertically or shall be placed on the pool side of a wall, fence or barrier which shall not have any opening greater than one and three-quarter (13/4) inches measured horizontally. Wire mesh or chain link fences shall have a maximum mesh size of one and three-quarters (13/4) inches measured horizontally. Openings larger than forty-eight (48) inches. Gates or doors opening through the enclosure required by paragraph above which are greater than forty-eight (48) inches in width may be secured by a padlock or similar device which requires a key, electric opener or integral combination in lieu of being equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device. The wall, fence or barrier shall not contain openings, handholds or footholds accessible from the exterior side of the barrier that can be used to climb the wall, fence or barrier. |
| Gates | Open outwards from the pool. Be self-closing and self-latching with the latch located at least fifty-four (54) inches above the underlying ground or on the pool side of the gate with a release mechanism at least five (5) inches below the top of the gate and no opening greater than one-half (1/2) inch within twenty-four (24) inches of the release mechanism. |
| Gate Latches | Latch must be located at least fifty-four (54) inches above the underlying ground or on the pool side of the gate with a release mechanism at least five (5) inches below the top of the gate and no opening greater than one-half (1/2) inch within twenty-four (24) inches of the release mechanism. |
| Climbing | The wall, fence or barrier shall not contain openings, handholds or footholds accessible from the exterior side of the barrier that can be used to climb the wall, fence or barrier |
| Placement | The wall, fence or barrier shall be at least twenty (20) inches from the water’s edge |
| Maintenance | Barriers and enclosures required by this section shall be maintained in proper operating order by the owner or occupant |
| Exemption | This section does not apply to (1) A system of sumps, irrigation canals, irrigation, flood control or drainage works constructed or operated for the purpose of storing, delivering, distributing or conveying water. (2)Stock ponds, storage tanks, livestock operations, livestock watering troughs or other structures used in normal agricultural practices. (3)Public or semi-public swimming pools. (4)Lakes or decorative ponds. |
| Secondary Protection | |
| Applies To | Swimming pools, spas, hot tubs or other contained bodies of water (above or below ground) when a residence or living area, in which a child younger than six (6) years of age will, or does, reside, constitutes part of the barrier or enclosure required by section 32-3 and: (1) Such swimming pool, spa, hot tub or other contained body of water is constructed or installed after the effective date of this provision at a single family residence; or (2) An existing swimming pool or other body of water lawfully constructed prior to the effective date of this section, but which does not conform to these regulations, shall become subject to these regulations as a result of any alteration, addition, or expansion of a dwelling unit or guest room having access to such pool, that increases the livable floor area; or (3) The existing single family residence is sold. |
| When an event described in paragraph above occurs, one (1) of the following methods of secondary protection shall be provided | |
| Height | Between the swimming pool or other contained body of water and the residence or living area, a minimum five (5) foot wall, fence or barrier to the pool area |
| Pool Cover | The pool shall be protected by a motorized safety pool cover which requires the operation of a key switch which meets the American Society of Testing and Materials Emergency Standards 13-8-9 and which does not require manual operation other than the use of the key switch |
| Accessibility | All ground level doors or other doors with direct access to the area containing a swimming pool or other contained body of water shall be equipped with either: (A) a self-closing and self-latching device with the latch located at least fifty-four (54) inches above the finished floor; or, (B) an alarm placed not less than fifty-four (54) inches above the finished floor and which activates automatically whenever the door is opened. If provided, the alarm shall sound continuously for a minimum of thirty (30) seconds beginning within the first seven (7) seconds after the door and its screen, if present, are opened and be capable of providing a sound pressure level of not less than eighty-five (85) dBA when measured at ten (10) feet in any direction. The sound of the alarm shall be distinctive from other household sounds such as smoke detectors, telephones, and door bells. The alarm system may be equipped with a manual means to temporarily deactivate the alarm for a single opening. Such deactivation shall last no longer that fifteen (15) seconds. An off switch is not acceptable. The deactivation switch shall be located at least fifty-four (54) inches above the floor. Emergency escape or rescue windows from sleeping rooms with access to the swimming pool or other contained body of water shall be equipped with a latching device not less than fifty-four (54) inches above the floor. All other openable dwelling unit or guest room windows with similar access shall be equipped with a screwed in place wire mesh screen or a latching device located not less than fifty-four (54) inches above the floor |
| Alarm | An alarm maintained in or on the swimming pool or other body of water. The alarm shall be installed so as to activate automatically whenever a person enters the swimming pool or body of water and remain activated until manually turned off. The alarm shall sound continuously within the first seven (7) seconds after a person enters the swimming pool or body of water and be capable of providing a sound pressure level of not less than eighty-five (85) dBA when measured at ten (10) feet in any direction. The sound of the alarm shall be distinctive from other household sounds such as smoke detectors, telephones, and doorbells |
| Climbing | The swimming pool shall be an above-ground swimming pool which has non-climbable exterior sides which are a minimum height of four (4) feet. Any access ladder or steps shall be removable without tools and secured in an inaccessible position with a latching device not less than fifty-four (54) inches above the ground when the pool is not in use |
| Spa / Hot tub Cover | Latching or locking hard safety cover which may be latched or locked shall be deemed to meet all barrier requirements of this section for any spa or hot tub which is not more than eight (8) feet (2438 mm) in width, length or diameter |
| Exemption | Alternative protection not specified herein and providing protection meeting the intent of these requirements is allowed when approved by the building official |
| Maintenance | Secondary protection required by this section shall be maintained in proper operating order by the owner or occupant |
| Exemptions | This section does not apply to (1) A system of sumps, irrigation canals, irrigation, flood control or drainage works constructed or operated for the purpose of storing, delivering, distributing or conveying water. (2)Stock ponds, storage tanks, livestock operations, livestock watering troughs or other structures used in normal agricultural practices. (3)Public or semi-public swimming pools. (4)Lakes or decorative ponds. |
source: https://www.glendaleaz.com/buildingsafety/documents/SwimmingPools.pdf
Scottsdale Pool Fence Rules
| Category | Rule / Regulation |
| Height | The top of the barrier shall be at least 5 feet above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool |
| Clearance | The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be 2 inches measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, such as an above-ground pool, the barrier may be at ground level, such as the pool structure, or mounted on top of the pool structure. Where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, the maximum vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be 4 inches. |
| Openings | Openings in the barrier shall not allow the passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere. |
| Openings <45 in. | Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members, and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is less than 45 inches, the horizontal members shall be located on the swimming pool side of the fence. Spacing between vertical members shall not exceed 1-3/4 inches in width. Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 1-3/4 inches in width. |
| Openings >45 in. | Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members, and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is 45 inches or more, spacing between vertical members shall not exceed 4 inches. Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 1-3/4 inches in width. |
| Openings-Chain Link | Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be a 2-1/4 inch square, unless the fence has slats fastened at the top or the bottom which reduce the openings to not more than 1-3/4 inches |
| Openings-Lattice | Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members, such as a lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal members shall not be more than 1-3/4 inches. |
| Gates | Shall be equipped to accommodate a locking device. Pedestrian access gates shall open outward away from the pool, and shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device. Gates, other than pedestrian access gates, shall have a self-latching device. Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than 54 inches from the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism and openings shall comply with the following: The release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate at least 3 inches below the top of the gate and the gate and barrier shall have no opening larger than 1/2 inch within 18 inches of the release mechanism. |
source: https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/codes/swimming-pools/pool-enclosures
Maricopa County Pool Enclosure Regulations
| Category | Rule / Regulation |
| Height | The top of the barrier must be at least 5’ (60”) above grade. |
| Opening | The maximum gap between grade and the bottom of the fence may not exceed 2” (4” from a solid base grade such as concrete). Horizontal members must be at least 54” apart. Barrier openings may not exceed 1-3/4” unless the distance between horizontal members exceeds 54” where the openings may be increased to 4” |
| Gate | Access gates must meet barrier requirements, be equipped with self-closing, self-latching devices, and must swing open in the direction away from the pool. |
| Gate Latch | When the latching mechanism is less that 54” above ground it must be located on the pool side of the gate and at least 3” below the top of the gate or an alarm that sounds continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds at a level of not less than 85 decibels within 7 seconds of the door being opened. |
| Windows | A window facing a pool enclosure must be equipped with a mesh screen and lock and key that restricts opening the window to no more than 4”, or a latching device at least 54” above the floor. The same protection must be provided for doggie doors or other openings. Emergency escape or rescue windows must be equipped with a latching device at least 54” above the floor. |
| Climbing | Decorative protrusions, indentations or cut outs that render the barrier climbable are prohibited. |
source: https://www.maricopa.gov/documentcenter/view/5689
Arizona Department of Child Safety Pool Fence Requirements
| Category | Rule / Regulation |
| Height | The exterior said must be at least 5 feet high |
| Openings | Openings between vertical bars and panels and between the ground and the fence must measure less than 4 inches |
| Openings-Chain Link | If the fence is chain link, the mesh measures less than 1 3/4 inches horizontally. |
| Gates | Gates for the fence must be self-closing, self-latching and open out or away from the pool |
| Gate Latch | The gate-latch is at least 54″ above the ground and is equipped with a key or combination lock. |
| Climbing | The exterior side of the fence is free of hand hold or foot holds or other means that could be used to climb over the fence |
| Accessibility | A room that is designated as a bedroom for a foster child shall not open into the pool enclosure and other windows that open into the pool enclosure are permanently secured to open no more than four inches. |
| Emergency Evacuation | Two routes of emergency evacuation are available from each bedroom with at least one direct exit to the outside which does not exit into the pool enclosure |
| Security | Fence is secured to the ground or has sufficient tension to prevent being lifted more than 4” from the ground at all points. If a gate cannot be made to be self‐closing, self‐latching, and open away from the pool it must be secured to not open |
source: https://dcs.az.gov/sites/default/files/media/LCR-1036AHBPNA.pdf
