Pool Permit in Maricopa County, Arizona
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before constructing any outdoor pool spa or contained body of water over 18 inches deep or 8 feet wide
Issued byMaricopa County Planning and Development Department
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
A building permit must be obtained before constructing any residential pool, spa, or contained body of water exceeding 18 inches in depth or 8 feet in width in unincorporated Maricopa County. Permits for the pool barrier must also be issued before the barrier is installed, before plastering, and before filling the pool. Fast Track processing is available for custom and standard plan pools.
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When a permit is usually needed
Before constructing any outdoor pool spa or contained body of water over 18 inches deep or 8 feet wide
What your pool permit must meet in Arizona
Arizona has a statewide law requiring a compliant physical barrier around residential swimming pools and spas, independent of whichever local building code applies to the rest of a project.
- The barrier requirement applies to any pool or contained body of water at least 18 inches deep and wider than 8 feet, under A.R.S. 36-1681.
- The pool must be entirely enclosed by at least a 5 foot wall, fence, or other barrier measured on its exterior side, under A.R.S. 36-1681.
- The barrier cannot have openings large enough for a 4 inch diameter sphere to pass through, under A.R.S. 36-1681.
- Pool gates must be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch mounted at least 54 inches above the ground, under A.R.S. 36-1681.
Based on A.R.S. 36-1681 (Pool enclosures; requirements; exceptions; enforcement). Read the code. Local amendments can be stricter; confirm the current requirement with your office before you build.
What a pool permit costs in Maricopa County
How Maricopa County compares in Arizona
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Chandler | It depends | A prefabricated swimming pool less than 18 inches deep is exempt from a building permit; any pool or spa (in-ground or prefabricated) 18 inches deep or greater requires a permit, and a compliant safety barrier is required regardless of depth once a permit-triggering pool exists. |
| Gilbert | Permit required | Non-permanent wading pools of rubber or plastic holding no more than 18 inches of water are excepted from the pool enclosure regulations. |
| Maricopa Countythis page | Permit required | Not specified |
| Mesa | Permit required | Not specified |
| Peoria | Permit required | Prefabricated above-ground pools accessory to a dwelling holding not more than 5,000 gallons are exempt from a pool permit, but the required barrier must still be permitted. |
| Phoenix | Permit required | Not specified |
| Scottsdale | Permit required | Not specified |
How to apply in Maricopa County
In Maricopa County, a residential pool permit application covers both construction and safety: a scaled site plan, structural plans for the pool, a barrier plan showing how the pool will be enclosed, and an electrical plan covering bonding and the equipment disconnect.
What most pool permit applications include:
- Pool and spa design and construction fall under the residential code chapter that folds in the swimming pool and spa code, and permit review checks plans against that chapter (IRC R326).
- For Maricopa County, the site plan must show pool equipment such as pumps, filters, and heaters set back at least 36 inches from the outside of the required barrier (ISPSC 305.2.9).
- For an in-ground pool, engineered structural plans covering the shell and reinforcing steel, with the responsible structural engineer's license information, are a standard part of the submittal (per official pool submittal checklists).
- For Maricopa County, a barrier plan identifying the fence, pool structure, or dwelling wall that will enclose the pool must be submitted and must comply with the code's barrier chapter (ISPSC 305).
- Electrical plans must show the pool's equipotential bonding design, since the shell, perimeter surfaces, and metal fittings within 5 feet of the water must all tie into a common bonding grid (NEC 680.26).
- For Maricopa County, the electrical plan must also show a disconnecting means for the pool equipment that is readily accessible and within sight of the equipment (NEC 680.13).
General submittal guidance from 2021 IRC R326 (adopting the ISPSC), ISPSC 2021 Section 305, and NEC 2020 Article 680. Source. Maricopa County Planning and Development Department sets the exact checklist for Maricopa County.
Where to apply in Maricopa County:
Maricopa County Planning and Development Department
- 301 West Jefferson Street Phoenix AZ 85003
- Phone: 602-506-3301
Pool Permit in Maricopa County compared with nearby Arizona localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Arizona schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maricopa County | Permit required | Not specified | In-ground pools are valued at $200 per perimeter foot with the Table 1-A fee applied to... | |
| Chandler | It depends | A prefabricated swimming pool less than 18 inches deep is exempt from a building permit; any pool or spa (in-ground or prefabricated) 18 inches deep or greater requires a permit, and a compliant safety barrier is required regardless of depth once a permit-triggering pool exists. | Flat $110 residential pool permit fee per Fee Schedule 4.6.4(d), a separate flat $55 fee... | |
| Gilbert | Permit required | Non-permanent wading pools of rubber or plastic holding no more than 18 inches of water are excepted from the pool enclosure regulations. | Swimming pool permit fee $300 for permanent in-ground pools/spas and $140 for portable... | |
| Mesa | Permit required | Not specified | Flat all-inclusive fee of $330 for a residential in-ground swimming pool or spa, plus a... | |
| Peoria | Permit required | Prefabricated above-ground pools accessory to a dwelling holding not more than 5,000 gallons are exempt from a pool permit, but the required barrier must still be permitted. | Swimming Pool, Spa and/or Hot Tub Permit is 345 dollars and Swimming Pool Plot Plan... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Maricopa County, pool inspections track the concrete pour: the steel and bonding grid are checked before gunite or shotcrete goes in, bonding is checked again before decking is poured, and the permanent barrier and remaining electrical work are checked at final before the pool can be filled and used.
- In Maricopa County: before gunite or shotcrete is sprayed, the inspector checks the rebar against the engineered plans and confirms the equipotential bonding wire is stubbed out and tied into the steel, since it will be buried in concrete afterward (NEC 680.26).
- In Maricopa County: a bonding inspection separately confirms coping, decking, ladders, handrail cups, and any other metal within 5 feet of the water are tied to the bonding grid, and it must pass before coping is installed (NEC 680.26).
- In Maricopa County: a temporary barrier at least 4 feet high must enclose the site from the moment excavation starts until the permanent barrier is finished, and inspectors check for it throughout construction (ISPSC 305.1.1).
- In Maricopa County: a pre-plaster inspection confirms the circulation equipment's electrical work is installed and all bonding is complete before the pool's interior finish goes on (NEC 680.26).
- In Maricopa County: at final inspection the permanent barrier is checked against the code's requirements and the equipment and cover-mechanism bonding must be complete before the pool can be filled and used (ISPSC 305, NEC 680.26).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Maricopa County permit portal or by phone at 602-506-3301.
Inspection sequence from NEC 2020 Article 680.26 (equipotential bonding) and ISPSC 2021 Section 305 (barriers). Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Pool Permit checklist for Maricopa County
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before constructing any outdoor pool spa or contained body of water over 18 inches deep or 8 feet wide.
- Budget the fee. In-ground pools are valued at $200 per perimeter foot with the Table 1-A fee applied to that valuation; an above-ground pool or spa is a flat $75, per the Summary of the Fee Schedule. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Maricopa County, a residential pool permit application covers both construction and safety: a scaled site plan, structural plans for the pool, a barrier plan showing how the pool will be enclosed, and an electrical plan covering bonding and the equipment disconnect. Start at the Maricopa County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Maricopa County Planning and Development Department. Phone: 602-506-3301. Address: 301 West Jefferson Street Phoenix AZ 85003.
- Plan for inspections. In Maricopa County, pool inspections track the concrete pour: the steel and bonding grid are checked before gunite or shotcrete goes in, bonding is checked again before decking is poured, and the permanent barrier and remaining electrical work are checked at final before the pool can be filled and used.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Permitting activity in Maricopa County
In 2024, Maricopa County authorized permits for 36,380 new residential housing units (21,667 single-family, 14,713 in multi-family buildings), valued at $9.1B, down from 38,292 the year before. That works out to about 7.8 permits per 1,000 residents.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual data · population 4,673,096.
About Maricopa County
Maricopa County has about 1,850,862 housing units. The median home is valued at $414,700, against a median household income of $85,518. About 65% of homes are owner-occupied, and the typical home was built around 1992.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a pool permit in Maricopa County?
- A building permit must be obtained before constructing any residential pool, spa, or contained body of water exceeding 18 inches in depth or 8 feet in width in unincorporated Maricopa County. Permits for the pool barrier must also be issued before the barrier is installed, before plastering, and before filling the pool. Fast Track processing is available for custom and standard plan pools. Always confirm with the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department before starting.
- How much does a pool permit cost in Maricopa County?
- In-ground pools are valued at $200 per perimeter foot with the Table 1-A fee applied to that valuation; an above-ground pool or spa is a flat $75, per the Summary of the Fee Schedule. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a pool permit in Maricopa County?
- You can apply through the Maricopa County permit portal or contact the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a pool permit themselves in Maricopa County?
- Under Arizona law (A.R.S. 32-1121(A)(5), (A)(9), (A)(14)(a); 32-1164(A)(2), (B)): Arizona addresses owner-builders through its contractor licensing law rather than through the building code itself. A.R.S. 32-1121(A)(5) exempts property owners who build or improve structures on their own land and do the work themselves, with their own employees, or with duly licensed contractors, as long as the finished structure is for the owner's own occupancy and is not intended for sale or rent. Selling or renting within one year of completion or of the certificate of occupancy is prima facie evidence the project was really undertaken for sale or rent, which defeats the exemption, a rule that functions much like Florida's one-year restriction. The exemption does not waive the underlying permit requirement: several of the chapter's small-job licensing exemptions, including the $1,000 casual-work exemption in A.R.S. 32-1121(A)(14), expressly do not apply whenever the work requires a local building permit, so once a job needs a permit, anyone doing that work for someone else generally must hold an Arizona contractor's license regardless of dollar amount. Acting as a contractor without a license, on permit-required work or otherwise, is a class 1 misdemeanor under A.R.S. 32-1164, carrying a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 for a first offense and $2,000 for a repeat offense. Confirm how Maricopa County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Maricopa County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No deck-specific line item, valuation-based building permit fee under Table 1-A with a... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Flat rate by residential service size, $50 for 1-200 amps, $75 for 201-400 amps, $120... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | any fence over 1 foot in height requires at minimum a drainage clearance permit; fences over 6 feet require a building permit and zoning clearance | Valuation-based: fence material valued per lineal foot from $3 (barbed wire) to $18... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Flat fee of $50 for mechanical work under the Minor Self Service flat rate schedule, per... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | attached patio cover or patio enclosure connected to the house requires a building permit; ground-level open patio slab does not | No flat patio fee |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Flat fee of $50 to install or replace plumbing equipment, fixtures, or devices under... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | re-roofing is exempt unless in a wildfire hazard zone or structural changes are involved | No permit or fee for a like-kind reroof using the same material as the original roofing... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | structures under 200 sq ft with no electrical plumbing or mechanical are exempt from a building permit; all others require a permit | Non-habitable accessory buildings are valued as a private garage with the Table 1-A fee... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Roof-mounted residential solar is printed at $300 ($150 inspection plus $140 plan review... |
Pool Permit in other Arizona localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Maricopa County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this pool permit page for Maricopa County was verified. 2 official sources: maricopa.gov, maricopa.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Maricopa County Planning and Development Department. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page