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

Section 13-07-140(A) says any swimming pool shall be protected by an enclosure surrounding the swimming pool area. Under paragraph B the barrier must be not less than five feet in height, measured from the finished grade on the exterior side, and have no openings through which a spherical object four inches in diameter can pass. Horizontal components must be spaced not less than 45 inches apart measured vertically, wire mesh or chain link must have a maximum mesh size of one and three-quarters inches, and the barrier cannot have openings, handholds or footholds on the exterior side that can be used to climb it. It must also stand at least 20 inches from the water's edge.

Gates must be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch at least 54 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 24 inches of the release mechanism. Gates must open outward from the pool.

When the house forms part of the enclosure, paragraph C requires either a minimum 54-inch barrier between the pool and the residence, or self-latching devices on all ground-level doors with direct pool access. Emergency escape windows from sleeping rooms need a latch not less than 54 inches above the floor, and other openable windows need a screwed-in-place wire mesh screen, a keyed lock limiting opening to four inches, or a latch at least 54 inches above the floor.

Pool location is regulated too. In single-family residential districts, private pools go in the side or rear yard with at least five feet from any property line to the water's edge. Public or semi-public pools in commercial or multi-family districts need at least 25 feet. Anyone agreeing to build a pool, or to sell, rent or lease a dwelling with one, must give the buyer, lessee or renter a safety education notice approved by the Arizona Department of Health Services. Irrigation works, stock ponds, livestock troughs, residential fish ponds and decorative fountains are exempt.