Arizona's ARS §36-1681 mandates a minimum 5-foot pool barrier — one of the strictest pool barrier laws in the United States. Self-closing, self-latching gates with latch at least 54 inches high are required. This law applies to all pools in unincorporated Maricopa County.
ARS §36-1681 establishes Arizona's pool barrier requirements, applying to all residential swimming pools in unincorporated Maricopa County. The barrier must be at least 5 feet tall (stricter than the common 4-foot standard in many states). Gates must be self-closing and self-latching with the latch release at least 54 inches above grade. No climbable features (horizontal rails, chain-link mesh) are permitted within the barrier zone. A house wall may serve as part of the barrier if equipped with approved door alarms on all pool-area openings. Mesh pool fences meeting ASTM F2286 are acceptable as removable barriers. Real estate transactions require barrier inspection and disclosure. County inspectors verify compliance during building inspections.
Non-compliance: immediate correction order from county inspector. Failure to correct: civil penalties. Child drowning incident with non-compliant barrier: potential criminal negligence charges.
Maricopa County, AZ
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See how Maricopa County's fencing requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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