Oro Valley, AZ Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing Requirements (2026)

Arizona Revised Statutes 36-1681 establishes mandatory swimming pool barrier requirements that Oro Valley enforces through its building code and code compliance programs. Every outdoor residential swimming pool or spa must be completely enclosed by a barrier at least 5 feet in height measured from the outside grade. The barrier may be a fence, wall, building wall, or combination thereof. Chain link fencing must have no openings larger than 1.75 inches. Vertical fence members must be spaced no more than 4 inches apart. The barrier must not have any features that could serve as handholds or footholds for climbing, such as horizontal rails on the outside face. All gates in the barrier must be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch mechanism located at least 54 inches above grade on the pool side of the gate or equipped with a key lock or combination lock. Doors from the home that open directly to the pool area must have an audible alarm that sounds for at least 30 seconds when the door is opened, or be equipped with a self-closing, self-latching device. Pool covers listed to ASTM F1346 may be used as an additional safety layer but do not replace the barrier requirement. Existing pools that predated ARS 36-1681 must still comply; there is no grandfathering provision. Pima County and the Town conduct periodic enforcement inspections and respond to complaints.