Hot tubs and spas more than 18 inches deep fall under Avondale's pool rules (Sec. 28-136) and the state enclosure law A.R.S. 36-1681, which applies to contained bodies of water 18 inches or deeper. Avondale has also adopted the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
Avondale's zoning ordinance treats pools and similar water features together. Section 28-136(f) applies the pool regulations to 'all permanent or non-permanent pools containing water with a depth of more than eighteen (18) inches,' which captures most residential hot tubs and spas. As a result, a spa may not be placed in a required front yard (Sec. 28-136(b)) and must meet the property-line setbacks in Sec. 28-136(c) and (d) - three feet in Suburban and Urban Residential Districts, seven feet in other residential districts. For safety, Sec. 28-136(a) defers to A.R.S. 36-1681, which applies to swimming pools and contained bodies of water 18 inches or more in depth. Many hot tubs qualify for the statute's allowance for a safety cover: A.R.S. 36-1681 recognizes an approved safety cover that meets the relevant standard in lieu of a perimeter barrier for spas and hot tubs. Avondale has also adopted the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code effective January 1, 2026, which contains spa-specific barrier and safety-cover provisions. A building permit may be required for installation, especially for electrical and gas connections. Contact Building Services at (623) 333-4000 to confirm whether a barrier or a listed safety cover satisfies the requirement for your spa.
An uncovered, unfenced spa more than 18 inches deep can violate the enclosure requirement; improper placement violates setback rules. Either can result in code-compliance enforcement.
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