Rules and Regulations
The Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (MCESD) regulates Public and Semi-Public Pools and Spas
under Delegation Agreements with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and the Arizona Department
of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The Delegation Agreements between the County and the State simply authorizes
the County to regulate Public and Semi-Public Pools and Spas using the State’s regulations in addition to the
County’s own regulations.
The two State of Arizona Administrative Codes (AAC) delegated to and regulated by the MCESD are
AAC Title 9, Chapter 8, Article 8, "Public and Semi-Public Swimming Pools and Bathing Places", which is
promulgated and administrated by the ADHS, and AAC Title 18, Chapter 5, Article 2,
"Public and Semi-Public Swimming Pools and Spas", which is promulgated and administrated by the ADEQ.
In addition to regulating Public and Semi-public Pools and Spas by administering State of Arizona rules and
regulations, MCESD also regulates Public and Semi-public Pools and Spas by administering the County’s rules
and regulations as prescribed in the Maricopa County Environmental
Health Code (MCEHC), Chapter VI, "Bathing Places - Public and Semipublic Swimming Pools".
This means that MCESD has established within the MCEHC additional rules and regulations for Public and Semipublic
Pools and Spas. The main advantage of the County having its own rules is that it allows the County the flexibility
to modify the rules to meet the ever-changing needs of the swimming pool industry. The County has updated its rules
numerous times to meet the needs of the swimming pool industry.
Any proposed changes or comments concerning the State regulations should be addressed to the appropriate State
agency (i.e. the ADHS or the ADEQ) as only those departments can effect changes to the State regulations which
they promulgate and administer. Proposed changes or comments concerning County regulations should be addressed
to the MCESD as that department can effect changes to County regulations.
The links below are for the relevant State and County rules and regulations governing public and semi-public pools,
wading pools or special use pools, spas and artificial bathing lakes.
Maricopa County
State of Arizona
Additional rules and regulations not listed above may govern the design and operation of public and semi-public
pools, wading pools or special use pools, spas and artificial and semi-artificial bathing lakes. Please contact
the local planning and zoning department that has the proper jurisdiction to determine if there are any additional
rules or regulations governing pools, spas and bathing lakes.