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Pool / Spa Permit (In-Ground and Above-Ground) in Unincorporated Maricopa County, Arizona

Required for swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, and other contained bodies of water in the unincorporated areas of Maricopa County. Any body of water greater than 18 inches deep and/or wider than 8 feet at any two measured points requires both a pool permit and a barrier. In-ground pool fees are valuation-based (at $200 per perimeter foot for valuation); above-ground pools/spas are a flat $75 fee. Pool barriers must be permitted and ISSUED before the pool is plastered or filled with water. Apply through Permit Center online.

Verified 2026-06-29 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Pool permit required for all bodies of water greater than 18 inches in depth and/or wider than 8 feet at any two measured points (does not apply to fountains less than 12 inches deep)
  • Pool barrier permit must be ISSUED before installing the barrier, plastering the pool, or filling the pool with water
  • Pools must not be located within the required front yard of the property
  • Pools must be set back at least 3 feet from all property lines
  • Pool barrier must be 60 inches above finished grade on the exterior side
  • Access and pedestrian gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and open AWAY from the pool; latch at 54 inches or higher
  • 4-inch maximum spacing for wrought iron barrier; otherwise the barrier must not allow passage of a 1-3/4-inch sphere
  • Chain link must be 11-gauge or heavier
  • Windows facing the pool enclosure must have a mesh screen and a lock restricting opening to no more than 4 inches, or a latching device at 54 inches above the floor
  • Apply online through Permit Center at https://maricopacountyaz-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice

Required documents

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Fee schedule

In-ground pool — valuation-based (Building-Inspection)Local Additions and Addenda: in-ground pools are valued at $200 per perimeter foot. The resulting valuation is then run through Table 1-A to determine the permit fee. Plan review fee (65% of permit fee) applies separately.
Valuation = $200 per perimeter foot; fee calculated from Table 1-A based on that valuation
Above-ground pool or spa (Building-Above Ground Pool/Spa)Local Additions and Addenda Flat Rate Fees (June 2024 Summary of Fee Schedule)
$75 flat
Hot tub or spa in or above groundLocal Additions and Addenda Flat Rate Fees
$75 flat

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Unincorporated Maricopa County building department
~5–15 business days

How long did your Pool / Spa Permit (In-Ground and Above-Ground) permit actually take in Unincorporated Maricopa County?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Steel / Shell (Pre-gunite)

    Verify rebar, rough plumbing, and pool shell before gunite or shotcrete application per 2018 IRC/IBC

  2. 2

    Pool Barrier Inspection

    Pool barrier must be inspected and approved per Local Additions and Addenda Section 3109 and pool barrier requirements BEFORE the pool is plastered or filled with water

  3. 3

    Final

    All work complete; pool filled; equipment operational; barrier fully in place

See the full Unincorporated Maricopa County inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Pool barrier permit must be ISSUED before installing the barrier, plastering the pool, or filling the pool with water — do not begin these steps before the permit is in hand.
  • In-ground pools are valued at $200 per perimeter foot for fee calculation purposes. For a typical 16x32-foot pool (perimeter = 96 feet), valuation = $19,200, which maps to a permit fee under Table 1-A.
  • Pool barrier specifications: 60 inches high on exterior side; self-closing, self-latching gates that open away from the pool; latch at 54 inches or higher; 4-inch maximum spacing for wrought iron; no decorative design work that allows easy climbing on the exterior.
  • If the house wall forms part of the pool barrier and has a door providing direct pool access, a separate barrier must be installed between the door and the pool, OR the door must have an alarm sounding continuously for minimum 30 seconds at 85 dB within 7 seconds of opening.
  • For more barrier details see the Local Additions and Addenda Section 3109 at https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5808/Local-Additions-and-Addenda-PDF

Frequently asked questions

Unincorporated Maricopa County requires a pool / spa permit (in-ground and above-ground) for: Pool permit required for all bodies of water greater than 18 inches in depth and/or wider than 8 feet at any two measured points (does not apply to fountains less than 12 inches deep); Pool barrier permit must be ISSUED before installing the barrier, plastering the pool, or filling the pool with water; Pools must not be located within the required front yard of the property; Pools must be set back at least 3 feet from all property lines; Pool barrier must be 60 inches above finished grade on the exterior side; Access and pedestrian gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and open AWAY from the pool; latch at 54 inches or higher; 4-inch maximum spacing for wrought iron barrier; otherwise the barrier must not allow passage of a 1-3/4-inch sphere; Chain link must be 11-gauge or heavier; Windows facing the pool enclosure must have a mesh screen and a lock restricting opening to no more than 4 inches, or a latching device at 54 inches above the floor; Apply online through Permit Center at https://maricopacountyaz-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice. If your project isn't listed, confirm with Maricopa County Planning and Development Department at 602-506-3301 before starting work.

In Unincorporated Maricopa County, the published In-ground pool — valuation-based (Building-Inspection) is: Valuation = $200 per perimeter foot; fee calculated from Table 1-A based on that valuation. Additional published fees: Above-ground pool or spa (Building-Above Ground Pool/Spa) — $75 flat; Hot tub or spa in or above ground — $75 flat. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for a pool / spa permit (in-ground and above-ground) in Unincorporated Maricopa County typically runs 5–15 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with Maricopa County Planning and Development Department at 602-506-3301.

You'll need: Pool Permit Application (Permit Center online). Depending on your project, Unincorporated Maricopa County may also ask for: Residential Pool and Barrier Requirements Information Sheet. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Unincorporated Maricopa County requires 3 inspection(s) for a pool / spa permit (in-ground and above-ground), in order: Steel / Shell (Pre-gunite), Pool Barrier Inspection, Final. Schedule each through Maricopa County Planning and Development Department (602-506-3301).

Apply through Maricopa County Planning and Development Department at 301 W. Jefferson, Suite 170, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Phone: 602-506-3301. Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Official information: https://www.maricopa.gov/797/Planning-Development.

Unincorporated Maricopa County, Arizona has adopted: 2018 International Building Code (IBC) — adopted by Maricopa County Board of Supervisors 17 August 2022 (with AZBO/MAG amendments); Local Additions and Addenda TA2022001 dated 19 September 2022; 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) — adopted 17 August 2022 (BOS vote, with AZBO/MAG amendments and Local Additions and Addenda); 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — adopted 17 August 2022 (BOS vote, with AZBO/MAG amendments); 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — adopted 17 August 2022 (BOS vote, with AZBO/MAG amendments); 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — adopted 17 August 2022 (BOS vote, with AZBO/MAG amendments); 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — adopted 17 August 2022 (BOS vote, with AZBO/MAG amendments); 2018 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) — adopted 17 August 2022, optional use; 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — adopted 17 August 2022, optional use; 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) — adopted 17 August 2022 (BOS vote, with AZBO/MAG amendments). Local amendments apply — see the Unincorporated Maricopa County overview page for the full list.

The pool barrier permit must be ISSUED by Maricopa County before you install the barrier, plaster the pool, or fill the pool with water. Source: https://www.maricopa.gov/6408/Residential-Pool-and-Barrier-Requirement

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-29.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Unincorporated Maricopa County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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