Pool guide

What are the pool fence rules in Chandler?

Updated October 2026

Chandler requires every pool to be enclosed by a perimeter fence of masonry, concrete or decorative fencing at least 6 feet and no more than 7 feet high, and you need a building permit first. Gates must self-close and self-latch with the latch above 54 inches, openings must stop a 4-inch sphere, and wood perimeter fencing must be replaced.

What does the perimeter fence need?

• Masonry, concrete or decorative fencing such as wrought iron. A masonry and iron combination is allowed.
• At least 6 feet and not over 7 feet, measured on the outside. The city describes measuring from the top of the foundation to the lowest point within 5 feet of the fence.
• No openings a 4-inch sphere can pass through, and no hand or foot holds for climbing.
• Fencing built before September 1986 may be 5 feet 6 inches, per the city's page.

What about gates?

• Pedestrian gates must be self-closing and self-latching.
• Latches must be more than 54 inches above finished grade, and must not need a key to exit from inside.
• Without an interior barrier, pedestrian gates must open outward, away from the pool.
• Gates for openings wider than 4 feet, such as RV gates, must have a locking device and be kept locked.

Is an interior fence required?

Chandler's homeowner manual allows an interior barrier between the house and the pool to be 4 feet high. If the house wall forms part of the enclosure, doors from the home, garage or storage rooms into the pool area must be self-closing or have an audible alarm listed under UL 2017, and hinged doors must open away from the pool. Windows facing the pool need latches, with specific heights for escape windows.

What else does Chandler require for the pool itself?

Pools cannot be in the front yard, and the water's edge must be at least 5 feet from side and rear property lines. If you already have a wood back fence, the city says it must be changed to masonry, concrete or decorative fencing when the pool is installed.

How does Chandler compare to Arizona state law?

Arizona's pool enclosure statute, A.R.S. 36-1681, sets a 5-foot minimum barrier, the same 4-inch sphere test, a 54-inch latch height and outward-opening gates. It also lets cities that adopt equal or stricter rules apply their own. Chandler's 6-foot perimeter is stricter, so meeting only the state minimum is not enough here. The state law also exempts homes where every resident is at least six; the city's manual says its barrier requirements apply whether or not children live there.

It depends on your layout