Essential Pool Safety Fence Guide for Arizona Homeowners

Are you entertaining building a pool or maybe just purchased one and looking to learn about the required barrier codes? This article will explain the safety barrier requirements for a pool safety fence and the areas with the most pool permits issued in Arizona during 2020.

What are pool barrier requirements?

Pool safety barriers or exterior barriers are devices that prevent easy access to your pool that provide an extra layer of security. The goal of pool safety barriers is to prevent unauthorized entry to the pool area in order to prevent drownings.

Most cities require one of the following barriers:

Door & window alarms: External alarms that are installed on any door or window that leads out to the backyard that sounds an alarm once opened
Door closers: A mechanism added to a standard door or sliding glass door that automatically closes the door behind you that includes a safety latch 54” from the floor
Window locks: Locking hardware that is installed 54” from the floor on windows that open to the backyard
Gate springs: A spring is added to a pedestrian or RV gate that makes it self closing
Wrought iron pool fencing: A fully welded iron fence that is at least 5ft high that surrounds a pool with a self locking gate
Mesh pool fencing: A fence made out of 4ft or 5ft tall mesh panels set between aluminum poles. This type of fence is removable but will not meet pool safety barrier code in all cities.

When do I need to install my safety barriers?

The installation of most safety barriers is not complicated! If you prefer to install them yourself, you can be done in an afternoon with a few trips to the hardware store. Barriers such as wrought iron pool fencing and automatic locking pool covers should be installed by a licensed professional.

The installation of these city required barriers is your responsibility as a pool buyer. Most pool buyers have their pool builders install these items. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, don’t wait until the last minute as the inspector will not let your pool builder complete construction without the barriers installed.

What are the pool safety fence requirements in my city?

Chandler pool barrier requirements

Exterior Barrier:

Minimum height 6′
Gate latch must be 54″ above grade
RV gate must have padlock

Interior Barrier:

Doors must be self-closing/self-latching OR
Install door alarms OR
Wrought iron pool fence holding 5′ from waters edge OR
Power safety pool cover
Windows require key lock latch 54″ about the floor or mesh screens that are screwed into place

Gilbert pool barrier requirements

Exterior Barrier:

Minimum height 5’
Gate latch must be 54″ above grade

Goodyear pool barrier requirements

Exterior Barrier:

Minimum height 5′, Maximum Height 6′ (No chain link)
Gates self-closing/self-latching, latch 54″ above grade
45″ minimum between horizontal members

Interior Barrier:

Doors must be self-closing/self-latching OR
Install door alarms

Maricopa County pool barrier requirements

Exterior Barrier:

Minimum height 5′, Maximum 6′
Gates self-closing/self-latching, latch 54″ above grade

Interior Barrier:

Doors must be self-closing/self-latching OR
Install door alarms OR
Wrought iron pool fence holding 5′ from the water’s edge.
Windows require key lock latch 54″ about the floor or mesh screens that are screwed into place

Mesa pool barrier requirements

Exterior Barrier:

Minimum height 5′
Gates self-closing/self-latching, latch 54″ above grade

Interior Barrier:

Doors must be self-closing/self-latching OR
Install door alarms OR
Wrought iron pool fence holding at least 2′ from the water’s edge.
Glass panel doors have special hardware required depending on number of panels

Peoria pool barrier requirements

Exterior Barrier:

Minimum height 5′
Gates self-closing/self-latching, latch 54″ above grade

Interior Barrier:

Doors must be self-closing/self-latching OR
5′ high wrought iron pool fence (exempt if no children under 6 residing within an age restricted community)
Door alarms not accepted
Pool fence required if there are more than 3 glass panels in the slider
No mesh fences allowed

Phoenix pool barrier requirements

Exterior Barrier:

Minimum height 5′
Gates self-closing/self-latching, latch 54″ above grade

Interior Barrier:

Doors must be self-closing/self-latching OR
Install door alarms OR
5’ high wrought iron pool fence

Pinal County pool barrier requirements

Exterior Barrier:

Minimum height 5′
Gates self-closing/self-latching, latch 54″ above grade

Interior Barrier:

5′ Fence or
Doors must be self-closing/self-latching with latch 54” from floor OR
Install door alarms that meet UL2017 code OR
5’ high wrought iron pool fence
No pet doors allowed opening to pool area

Queen Creek pool barrier requirements

Exterior Barrier:

Minimum height 5′
Gates self-closing/self-latching, latch 54″ above grade

Interior Barrier:

Doors must be self-closing/self-latching OR
5’ high wrought iron pool fence

Scottsdale pool barrier requirements

Exterior Barrier:

Minimum height 5′
Gates self-closing/self-latching, latch 54″ above grade

Interior Barrier:

Doors must be self-closing/self-latching OR
Install door alarms OR
Pool safety fence (mesh fence allowed)

Surprise pool barrier requirements

Exterior Barrier:

Minimum height 4′
Gates self-closing/self-latching, latch 54″ above grade

Interior Barrier:

Doors must be self-closing/self-latching OR
Install door alarms OR
5’ high wrought iron pool safety fence

Cities can change codes without notification. We encourage you to verify all code related items on your city’s website or with their resident services department.

How to make sure your pool meets safety requirements

The best possible resources for you to continue learning about pool safety fences lives on The Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona website. They’ve created a free pool & spa safety checklist program and barrier code map that are great resources to help pool and spa owners make safer decisions about their backyard environments.

As you now know, pool barriers or safety fences can delay your project and final inspection. It’s important to understand and plan in advance for this step in your pool buying process.

At California Pools, we are just as passionate about building beautiful backyards as we are making sure that your pool is safe. Our designers are well-versed in safety barriers and city requirements and can make sure your new pool is compliant with local codes.