Tucson, AZ Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- State Law
- AZ Rev Stat 36-1681
- Minimum Height
- 5 feet
- Gate
- Self-closing and self-latching
- Latch Height
- 54 inches above ground
- Gap Limits
- 1.75 inches between members
Summary
Arizona Revised Statutes 36-1681 requires a minimum 5-foot barrier around any pool deeper than 18 inches, with self-closing self-latching gates and latches 54 inches above ground. Tucson enforces these state requirements plus International Residential Code Appendix G provisions.
36-1681. Pool enclosures; requirements; exceptions; enforcement. A. A swimming pool, or other contained body of water that contains water eighteen inches or more in depth at any point and that is wider than eight feet at any point and is intended for swimming, shall be protected by an enclosure surrounding the pool area, as provided in this section. B. A swimming pool or other contained body of water required to be enclosed by subsection A whether a belowground or aboveground pool shall meet the following requirements: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. The wall, fence or barrier shall be at least twenty inches from the water's edge.
Full Breakdown
Fences must be non-climbable, with gaps no greater than 1.75 inches between vertical members and no more than 4 inches at the bottom. Chain-link fencing must have mesh openings under 1.75 inches or have a solid slat inserted. Dwelling walls may serve as part of the barrier only if doors to the pool area are equipped with alarms or self-closing hardware meeting ARS 36-1681. Above-ground pools can use the pool wall as a barrier if over 5 feet tall with a secured ladder. Non-compliance with ARS pool barrier law is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Violations & Fines
Building code stop-work orders for non-compliant installations. Post-installation enforcement can order pool drained or fenced. Drowning incidents without required barriers may result in civil liability and criminal charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall does a Tucson pool fence have to be?
Can my house wall be part of the pool barrier?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tucson
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