What is the required pool barrier height in the City of Tucson?
Verified against the primary source on .
48 inches, measured on the side of the barrier facing away from the pool. The City of Tucson did not amend the ISPSC barrier height section in either its 2018 or its 2024 adoption.
Tucson Code Sec. 6-191 adopts the 2024 ISPSC by Ordinance 12171 Sec. 8, adopted June 3, 2025, effective January 1, 2026. The prior adoption was the 2018 ISPSC by Ordinance 11590 Sec. 9, effective January 1, 2019.
Tucson’s amendment exhibits for both editions were read in full. Neither amends ISPSC 305.2.1. The base code height therefore governs: 48 inches above grade, measured on the side facing away from the pool, maintained around the entire perimeter and for 3 feet measured horizontally from the outside of the required barrier.
Tucson did amend 305.2, expanding scope to any contained body of water 18 inches deep and more than 8 feet wide, and 305.4, on a structure wall serving as a barrier.
How the height is measured. The dimension is taken on the side of the barrier facing AWAY from the pool, not the pool side, and it must be maintained around the entire perimeter and for 3 feet measured horizontally out from the outside face. A barrier that meets the height at the gate and loses it where grade falls away does not comply. Grade changes on a sloped Southern Arizona lot are the usual reason a wall that measured correctly at layout fails at inspection.
Crossing a jurisdiction line changes this number. City of Tucson requires 48 inches. Also at 48 inches: unincorporated Pima County. Different in the same metro area: Town of Marana at 60 inches; Town of Oro Valley at 60 inches; Town of Sahuarita at 60 inches. A builder working across Southern Arizona cannot carry one standard barrier detail, and a barrier specified for one town will fail inspection in another.
Verified against the jurisdiction’s own adopted text on 2026-09-10: in City of Tucson, the gate latch release sits not less than 54 inches above grade; the barrier stands at least 20 inches back from the water’s edge; horizontal members on the outside face are spaced not less than 45 inches apart vertically; no opening passes a 4 inch sphere; chain link mesh is limited to 1.75 inches.
Correction. An earlier internal Omni claim stated Tucson requires 60 inches under A.R.S. 36-1681. That is incorrect on both points.
Important. A.R.S. 36-1681 sets a 5-foot state standard but does not govern Tucson, which has its own adopted ordinance.
Authority: Tucson Code Sec. 6-191; Ord. 12171 Exh. G. Ordinance: Ord. 12171 Sec. 8. Effective: 2026-01-01. Verified 2026-09-10. Primary source. Evidence grade: VERIFIED. Read from the adopting ordinance or the published code section.