Swimming Pool Permit in Surprise, Arizona

Surprise requires a swimming pool permit for: Submit permit through Permits & Applications Portal at app.oncamino.com/surprise-az with plans uploaded via ProjectDox; Pool barrier compliance is required for all residential pools regardless of whether children live in the home; Fences must be a minimum 48 inches high; pedestrian gates must be self-closing and self-latching; RV gates must be pinned and padlocked; Pet doors providing direct access to the pool area are not allowed; All openings from the house must meet pool barrier requirements (alarmed doors or self-closing/self-latching at ≥54 inches from floor); Pool signs (provided at first inspection) must be permanently installed with metal screws on both sides of every gate before the final inspection; Inspections are typically scheduled 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; the City does not set specific appointment times. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Surprise Community Development Department — Building Safety Division at 623-222-3000 before starting work.

In Surprise, the published Swimming pool permit — valuation-based is: Base: $100 per permit. Valuation $1.00–$999,999.99: $6.00 per each $1,000 of valuation. Plus 0.50% administrative processing fee on valuation.. Additional published fees: Plan Review Fee — 65% of the permit fee; Swimming Pool Signs — Actual cost to jurisdiction per sign (signs are provided at first inspection and sold at the Development Services counter). These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Surprise's published plan-review target for a swimming pool permit is 4–6 business days.

You'll need: Permits & Applications Portal submission (Clariti/Oncamino). Depending on your project, Surprise may also ask for: Pool Barrier Ordinance. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Surprise requires 2 inspection(s) for a swimming pool permit, in order: Pre-gunite / Structural, Final / Barrier Inspection. Schedule each through City of Surprise Community Development Department — Building Safety Division (623-222-3000).

Apply through City of Surprise Community Development Department — Building Safety Division at 16000 N. Civic Center Plz., Surprise, AZ 85374. Phone: 623-222-3000, email: Community.Development@surpriseaz.gov. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding City-observed holidays. Official information: https://surpriseaz.gov/community-development.

Surprise, Arizona has adopted: 2024 International Building Code (IBC) with Appendices C, H, and O, and City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) with Appendices AC, BA, BB, BF, BG, BI, BJ, BL, BM, BO, CA, CB, CD, CE, CF, and CH, and City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2017 ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026. Local amendments apply — see the Surprise overview page for the full list.

All residential pools in Surprise must comply with the pool barrier ordinance regardless of whether children live in the home. Fences must be at least 48 inches high; pedestrian gates must be self-closing and self-latching; RV gates must be pinned and padlocked. Doors from the house opening to the pool area must be alarmed or self-closing/self-latching with latches at least 54 inches above the floor. Chain link and plastic mesh fences do not meet the requirements. Source: City of Surprise Swimming Pool Barrier Information page, surpriseaz.gov.