Scottsdale / Mesa (Maricopa County) at a Glance
Arizona Law: a 60-Inch Barrier Under ARS 36-1681
Arizona sets its rule in a statute rather than only a building code. Under Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) 36-1681, a pool 18 inches or deeper and more than 8 feet wide needs a 5-foot enclosure measured from outside, gaps too small for a 4-inch ball, rails either 45 inches apart or on the inside face, gates that swing out and close and latch by themselves, nothing a child could use as a toehold, and 20 inches of clearance from the water.
A house wall may serve as one side, but then subsection (C) asks for something extra: an inner 4-foot fence, a key-operated motorized cover, latching doors and secured windows, or an above-ground pool with 4-foot sides that cannot be climbed. Homes where everyone is 6 or older are outside the statute, and a city whose ordinance is at least as strict applies its own. Scottsdale and Mesa have both written one on top of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC). A state citation is a petty offense, and the fine is waived when the barrier is fixed and a safety class completed inside 45 days (subsection F).
Scottsdale and Mesa: Local Rules on Top of the Statute
Each row comes from that jurisdiction's own published document, listed under Sources.
| Area | What we verified |
|---|---|
| Scottsdale | Scottsdale Revised Code Chapter 31, Article XIII, adopting the 2021 ISPSC (Ord. 4550, in effect January 1, 2023). The amended Section 305 requires a barrier at least 60 inches high, held for 3 feet out; 60-inch construction fencing from excavation until the permanent barrier is complete; written barrier notice from the pool contractor to the owner; and door and window alarms, where used, listed to UL 2017, sounding within 7 seconds for at least 30 seconds at 85 dBA. Permit: Scottsdale's building department. |
| Mesa | 2024 ISPSC with Mesa amendments (pool and spa checklist): barrier at least 60 inches high, held for 4 feet; 60-inch construction fencing from excavation; chain link at least 11 gauge with openings no wider than 1¾ inches; no pet doors in a house wall that forms part of the barrier. Pools built before April 20, 1998 are excepted unless the house is altered to add living area or pool access. Permit: plan review under the checklist. |
| Maricopa County (unincorporated) | The county's barrier summary sets 60 inches, a 4-inch clearance over concrete, 11-gauge chain link, and a latch under 54 inches only on the pool side, 3 inches below the top. A house door opening onto the pool needs a separate barrier unless the building official approves an 85-decibel alarm. No barrier, plaster or water until the barrier permit is issued. |
Pool Fence Cost in Scottsdale-Mesa: National Ranges
We found no published source that prices pool fences by state or city, so these are national installed ranges from our pool fence cost guide. Quotes where you live can land above or below them.
| Material | Installed, per linear foot | Full breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Removable mesh | $15 to $35 | Mesh fence cost |
| Aluminum | $30 to $60 | Aluminum fence cost |
| Vinyl / PVC | $20 to $45 | Vinyl fence cost |
| Tempered glass | $90 to $500 | Glass fence cost |
National typical installed ranges, not quotes. Multiply by your fence perimeter. Some sources include one gate in the figure; extra gates, permits and hard deck surfaces add to the total. Sources: HomeGuide (Feb 3, 2026), Life Saver Pool Fence (Aug 5 and Sep 23, 2026) and Pool Guard USA (May 20, 2025). Full source list and method: pool fence cost guide. Reviewed September 2026.
Sources
Every rule on this page traces to one of these. We link the primary source so you can check it yourself.
- Arizona Revised Statutes 36-1681, Pool enclosures (checked September 2026) (state barrier rules, house-wall options, exemptions and penalty)
- Scottsdale Revised Code Sec. 31-175, 2021 ISPSC adoption (Ord. 4550, effective January 1, 2023) (adopted edition)
- City of Scottsdale, 2021 Pool Codes Section 305 with amendments (checked September 2026) (height, construction fencing, notice and alarm rules)
- City of Mesa, Swimming Pool and Spa Plan Submittal Checklist (2024 ISPSC with Mesa amendments, undated, checked September 2026) (Mesa height, construction fencing, gate, house-wall and exception rules)
- Maricopa County Planning and Development, Residential Pool and Barrier Requirements (undated page, checked September 2026) (unincorporated county rules and permit timing)
Frequently Asked Questions
Scottsdale and Mesa: Same Height, Different Details
Both cities keep Arizona's 60-inch height and add their own rules. Scottsdale holds the height for 3 feet out, sets alarm specifications and requires the pool contractor to give the owner written barrier notice. Mesa holds the height for 4 feet and bars pet doors in a house wall that is part of the barrier. Both require construction fencing from the day the hole is dug.
The state penalty is a petty offense, with no fine if you fix the barrier and take a safety course within 45 days. The practical stakes are the inspection: a barrier that fails holds up the rest of the pool permit, so read your city's checklist before you order materials.
Full state guide: Arizona Pool Fence Requirements, the statewide law, all regions, and complete details.