A building permit is required for all in-ground, above-ground swimming pools, hot tubs and spas. An exception would be a prefabricated portable swimming pool less than 18 inches deep.
As part of the required building permit, a barrier is required in compliance with section Arizona Revised Statutes 32-1681. The barrier shall be used to
entirely enclose the swimming pool, spa, hot tub, or other contained bodies of water (18 inches or more in depth), meeting the following criteria:
- Minimum five foot non-climbable wall/fence or other permanent non-climbable wall/fence or other permanent non-climbable barrier structure, as measured from the exterior side of the barrier structure
- Walls, fences and all other permanent non-climbable barrier structures shall have no openings through which a spherical object four inches in diameter can pass
- The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be two inches measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the pool area
- Gates shall be self-closing, self-latching, opening outward from the pool area and having self-latching hardware at a height of at least 54 inches from the the bottom of the gate
- If the exterior wall of the residence is part of the barrier, any doors (including doors from the garage) leading into the pool area must be self-closing, self-latching, with self-latching hardware at a height of at least 54 inches from the interior door threshold. All window latching hardware must be at least 54 inches from the interior walking surface
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