Residential Pool Barriers, Door & Window Alarms

(This is not legal advice. Always confirm with the local building official or inspector before final.)

Last updated: December 2, 2025

1. Statewide baseline – Arizona

Arizona Revised Statute A.R.S. §36-1681 sets minimum pool enclosure rules for all residential pools over 18" deep built after June 1, 1991.

• Pool must be enclosed by at least a 5 ft high barrier measured from the outside.

• Gates must be self-closing and self-latching; openings small enough that a 4" sphere cannot pass.

• Law allows local cities and counties to adopt stricter requirements.

Most Maricopa jurisdictions now use the International Swimming Pool & Spa Code (ISPSC) and/or local amendments, which commonly reference UL 2017 “water-hazard entrance alarms” for doors/windows when alarms are allowed.

2. Maricopa County (Unincorporated – incl. Sun City, Sun City West, Anthem, New River, Sun Lakes, rural county areas)

Applies when the property is not inside a city/town jurisdiction.

• Exterior barrier:

o 5'–6' high fence/wall around the yard or pool area; self-closing, self-latching gates; openings less than 1¾–4".

• When the house wall is part of the barrier:

o Typically requires a separate interior fence between doors and pool;

o The building official may approve substitution of a separate gate for certain access doors if those doors have an audible alarm that:

 Activates within 7 seconds of opening;

 Sounds continuously for at least 30 seconds;

 Minimum 85 dB at 10 ft;

 Automatically resets;

 Has a bypass touchpad at least 54" above the threshold;

 No ON/OFF switch that disables the alarm.

• Windows facing pool: limited opening (≤4") via keyed lock or latch at 54" or screwed-in mesh screens.

Use in practice: In unincorporated areas you can often choose:

• Separate interior fence OR

• House-as-barrier with qualifying door/window alarms that meet the specs above.

3. Major cities – detailed notes

Phoenix

Sources: City pool policy & ISPSC amendments.

• Exterior barrier:

o Minimum 5' fence/wall completely around pool or property; self-closing, self-latching gates; latches typically ≥54" above grade; 4" max openings.

• Interior barrier / house wall as barrier:

o New pools generally must have an inner yard barrier when the house faces the pool.

o If the house wall is used, options include:

 Self-closing, self-latching doors with hardware at 54"+, and/or

 Audible door alarms on doors facing the pool, in addition to the exterior barrier.

• Door & window alarms:

o Where allowed, they must be audible throughout the house and act as a secondary layer, not a substitute for the required perimeter barrier.

o Specs typically mirror the 7-second / 30-second / 85 dB / automatic reset / 54" bypass standards used by Maricopa County and ISPSC.

Scottsdale

Scottsdale has adopted the 2021 ISPSC with amendments and provides specific alarm language.

• Exterior barrier:

o Usually a 60" (5') fence around the yard and/or pool, with self-closing, self-latching gates.

• Structure wall as barrier (doors/windows):

o Operable windows with sill <48", doors, and gates in the barrier must have an audible alarm listed as a UL 2017 water-hazard entrance alarm.

o Alarm must:

 Activate within 7 seconds;

 Sound continuously for ≥30 seconds;

 Be heard throughout the house at ≥85 dB at 10 ft;

 Automatically reset.

• Short-term rentals (STRs):

o Must have backyard perimeter fence (60") and a secondary barrier:

 Either a separate pool fence or audible door & window alarms to the pool area.

Mesa

Mesa publishes a dedicated “Swimming Pools & Spas Barrier Requirements” brochure with detailed alarm specs.

• Exterior barrier:

o 5' minimum fence/wall with self-closing, self-latching gates (standard ISPSC-type details).

• Door & window alarms (house as barrier):

o Pool alarms must be listed and labeled as UL 2017 water-hazard entrance alarms.

o Must:

 Activate within 7 seconds;

 Sound continuously for 30 seconds after door/window/screen opens;

 Be audible throughout the home;

 Automatically reset;

 Have deactivation switch/bypass at approx. 54" above the floor.

• In practice: Alarms are accepted as an interior barrier option when the house forms part of the pool enclosure, provided they meet these specs.

Gilbert

Gilbert emphasizes layers of protection but is less explicit online about alarm specs.

• Exterior barrier:

o Pools must be enclosed by walls of the residence or a 5'–6' solid, chain-link, or wrought-iron fence meeting the 4" opening rule.

• Door & window alarms:

o Town promotes “barriers” including: self-closing gates, door locks out of children’s reach, and door alarms as part of a layered safety strategy.

• Working assumption (verify with Gilbert Building Safety):

o Accepts either:

 House-as-barrier with self-closing, self-latching doors and/or UL 2017-type alarms, or

 Separate interior pool fence.

Chandler

Chandler uses state law plus adopted building/ISPSC codes. Direct alarm language is not as clearly summarized online, but it generally follows the same pattern:

• Exterior barrier:

o 5' fence/wall with self-closing, self-latching gates; 4" max openings.

• Interior barrier / alarms:

o Typically permits house-as-barrier with self-closing, self-latching doors and/or UL 2017-type alarms on doors/windows, mirroring state/ISPSC guidance.

• Recommendation: Treat Chandler like Mesa/Phoenix in your internal guide, but always verify specifics with the Chandler building department for each permit.

Glendale

Glendale’s pool/spa permit packet includes alarm specifications similar to the county standard.

• Exterior barrier:

o 5' minimum fence/wall fully surrounding pool; self-closing, self-latching gates.

• Door alarms (if used):

o If provided, the alarm must:

 Sound continuously for at least 30 seconds;

 Begin within 7 seconds of door/screen opening;

 Provide ≥85 dB at 10 ft.

• Use in practice:

o Alarms are acceptable as part of the interior barrier as long as the primary fence requirement is met.

Peoria

Peoria has some stricter positions on alarms.

• Exterior barrier:

o 5' minimum fence; self-closing/latching gates; 60" overall height around pools, hot tubs, and spas.

• Interior barrier:

o For standard new installations, local guidance (industry summaries and city code) indicates:

 Interior options include self-closing, self-latching doors or a 5' wrought-iron pool fence.

 Door alarms are generally not accepted as the sole interior barrier for new work.

o A limited exception in city code: existing pools (pre-2017) with only adults may rely on a UL 2017-listed door alarm instead of retrofitting a barrier, but that exception ends if a child under 6 becomes an occupant.

Surprise

Surprise mirrors Maricopa County in many respects.

• Exterior barrier:

o Minimum 4' fence in some published summaries (verify current height; many cities are at 5'); self-closing, self-latching gates with 54" latch height.

• Interior barrier:

o Choices typically include:

 Self-closing, self-latching doors OR

 Interior pool fence OR

 Door alarms that meet UL-style specs.

Goodyear

• Exterior barrier:

o 5'–6' fence; self-closing, self-latching gates; 45" minimum spacing between horizontal members; no chain link for many residential pools.

• Interior barrier:

o Similar options to Surprise/County: self-closing, self-latching doors, interior pool fence, and in many cases door alarms allowed as an interior barrier option (confirm per project).

Tempe

Tempe follows state law plus adopted IBC/IRC/ISPSC, but its public-facing pages don’t give a concise alarm summary.

• Exterior barrier:

o 5' fence/wall around pool with self-closing, self-latching gates.

• Interior barrier / alarms:

o Likely similar to Phoenix/Mesa (house-as-barrier permitted with self-closing, self-latching doors and/or UL 2017-type alarms) but must be confirmed case-by-case with Tempe Building Safety.

Avondale, Buckeye, Queen Creek (Maricopa portion), Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley, Litchfield Park, Cave Creek, Carefree, Gila Bend, Guadalupe, Tolleson, Youngtown, Apache Junction (Maricopa portion), Wickenburg (Maricopa portion)

For these smaller cities/towns, online summaries are limited, but they generally: Pool Safely+4Maricopa County+4maricopacountyaz.org+4

• Adopt A.R.S. §36-1681 plus IBC/IRC/ISPSC or local variants.

• Require at least a 5' barrier around the pool/yard with self-closing, self-latching gates.

• When the house wall is part of the barrier, they usually:

o Require self-closing, self-latching doors with hardware at 54";

o Often accept UL 2017-compliant door/window alarms as an interior barrier option, mirroring Maricopa County language.

Because each of these jurisdictions can tweak details (for example, some may not accept mesh fencing or may limit alarms), treat them as “County standard unless the building official tells you otherwise” and always confirm the following:

• Fence height and type;

• Whether door/window alarms are accepted as an alternative to a separate interior fence;

• Any special rules for multi-panel sliders, pet doors, or above-ground pools.

4. Quick reference table (for your internal use)

Use this as a talking tool with homeowners and your pool supervisors. (Y = clearly allowed as a standard interior barrier option; N = generally not accepted; L = limited/special exception – verify.)

Jurisdiction / Area Exterior fence height (typical) Door/window alarms allowed as interior barrier?* Notes

Maricopa County (unincorporated) 5'–6' Y – UL 2017-type; 7s/30s/85dB; 54" bypass Building official can approve alarms as alternative to inner gate.

Phoenix 5' Y – as secondary barrier on doors facing pool Interior barrier still required; alarms must be audible and meet ISPSC/County-style specs.

Scottsdale 5'–6' Y – UL 2017 alarms required on doors/windows if used STRs: must choose fence or door/window alarms as secondary barrier.

Mesa 5' Y – UL 2017 alarms with 7s/30s/85dB spec Detailed alarm brochure available.

Gilbert 5'–6' Likely Y – promoted as barrier option (verify) Emphasis on fences + door locks + alarms.

Chandler 5' Likely Y (verify) Follows ARS + ISPSC; treat like Mesa/Phoenix unless told otherwise.

Glendale 5' Y – if used, must meet 7s/30s/85dB style spec See pool/spa submittal packet alarm language.

Peoria 5' L / Mostly N for new Industry summary: door alarms not accepted as primary interior barrier; limited exception for older pools with adults only.

Surprise 4'–5' (verify current) Y – similar to County Options: self-closing doors, alarms, or interior fence.

Goodyear 5'–6' Y – similar to County Extra rules on horizontal members; no chain link.

Tempe 5' Likely Y (verify) Follows ARS + ISPSC; confirm on each permit.

Fountain Hills 5' Likely Y (verify) Town adopts standard AZ/ISPSC barrier approach.

Paradise Valley 5' Likely Y (verify) High-end jurisdiction; often strict on appearance but similar safety rules.

Litchfield Park 5' Likely Y (verify) Published pool barrier handout follows ARS 36-1681.

Cave Creek / Carefree 5' Likely Y (verify) Cave Creek publishes specific pool barrier packet; mirrors state law.

Avondale, Buckeye, Queen Creek, etc. 5' Likely Y (verify) Most small cities reference ARS + ISPSC; treat as county-style unless told otherwise.

*“Allowed as interior barrier” = allowed in addition to the required exterior fence, typically when the house wall is part of the barrier and when alarms meet UL 2017 / 7-second / 30-second / 85 dB type specs. Always verify with the current city amendments and inspector.