Swimming Pool permit in Tempe, AZ
Yes — you need a permit for swimming pool work in Tempe.
Almost every backyard pool needs a permit. The only exempt pool is a prefabricated one that is less than 18 inches deep, holds no more than 5,000 gallons, and sits entirely above ground. Any in-ground pool, and any deeper above-ground pool, needs a permit. The pool must also meet the barrier and fence rules of the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code as adopted by the city, and those barriers themselves need a permit.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | From 18 in deep |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | 105.2 Building item (l); ISPSC (Ch. 8, Art. X) |
| Based on | 2024 IRC and 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code as adopted by City of Tempe (Sec. 8-105 and Ch. 8, Art. X) |
Most building codes exempt a prefab pool under 24 inches deep. Tempe is stricter — a permit applies at any depth.
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Tempe building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
Tempe's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
Other work in Tempe
- Fence Depends
- Deck Depends
- Shed Depends
- Swimming Pool Yes
- Roof Replacement Depends
- Water Heater Depends
- HVAC Replacement Depends
- Electrical Panel Yes
- Demolition Yes
- Driveway —
- Tree Removal —
- Sign Yes
- Short-Term Rental Yes
- ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Yes
- Garage Yes
- Basement Yes
- Above-Ground Pool Depends
Questions people ask
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Tempe can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.