Recreational Health

Permits

You need a permit, plan review and approval to build a new public pool or spa. A pool is "public" if it's used by more than three owners, including their families and guests or for commercial purposes.

You also need a plan review to do any work that changes or upgrades any part of a public pool or spa. That includes:

• Equipment (diving boards, ladders, handrails, etc.)
• Pumps and filters
• Chemical controllers and feeders
• Pipes and drains
• Decks
• Fences, restrooms, showers and other structures
• Shell resurfacing

Begin the permit process with your local building inspection department first.

Find your local inspection department

Review plan review fees

Rules and Regulations

Public pool and spa operators must follow all state laws and regulations. Contra Costa Environmental Health inspects public pools annually and upon reports of concern. All public pools must have a public health permit, which must be renewed annually. Permits can only be terminated or inactivated if the pool is removed or demolished.

Permit holders must keep at least two years of pool records on file and show them to anyone upon request. Pools must comply with disability access laws if they are in these categories:

• Public accommodations (such as hotel or motel pools).
• Municipal pools (such as city or school pools).

Reporting and responding to emergencies

You must clear the pool immediately and call Environmental Health at 925-608-5500 within 24 hours if:

• There is an injury, drowning or death.
• Blood, feces or vomit enters the water.
• You suspect cases of waterborne illness or water contamination (within five days, two or more people report having diarrhea after swimming).

Close the pool immediately if there are equipment or power failures, water chemistry problems or any other unsafe conditions.

Public pools and spas should have an emergency plan for responding to injuries and accidents. Accidents could include chlorine off-gassing (chemical controllers), adverse weather and power disruptions.

Safety and cleanliness

• Post all required safety signs.
• Keep a water test kit on hand to measure available free disinfectant, pH and cyanuric acid (if used).
• If a pool or spa charges direct fees for use, trained lifeguards must be on duty whenever it is open. Use the lifeguard record keeping checklist.
• Properly clean and store towels or swimwear after use if your pool or spa provides them.
• You must maintain clean and safe facilities near the pool, such as restrooms and showers.
• You must maintain safety equipment, such as fencing and covers.
• Features such as drain covers, pool covers, handrails, safety signs and enclosures around pools must follow design specifications.
• Animals are not allowed, except service animals.

Clean Water

All public pool operators must use a water test kit that measures:

• pH – A measure of the pool's acidity. A safe range is 7.2 to 7.8.
• FAC – Germ-killing disinfectant, measured in parts per million (PPM).
• Cyanuric acid – Stabilizes FAC to help it last longer in sunlight.

Only pool service professionals or experienced pool operators should adjust water chemistry. The chemicals can be dangerous if misused.

Lifeguards

A pool or spa needs to have certified lifeguards if they charge direct fees for use. Guards must be on duty whenever the facility is open.

• Use the lifeguard record keeping checklist to keep track of lifeguard certifications and the lifeguarding equipment at your pool.
• Any swim instructors at the pool must also be certified.

Pools with lifeguards must have a Red Cross first aid kit or the equivalent, containing these items:

• First aid guide
• Absorbent compress
• Sterile pads, adhesive bandages and tape
• Disposable gloves
• Scissors
• Elastic wrap
• Emergency blanket
• Resuscitation mask with a one-way valve
• Blood-borne pathogen spill kit

Resources

Administrative

• 2018 CAEHA Public Swimming Pools and Spas
• Building Inspection Department List
• Inspection form
• Pool/Spa Forms
• Public Pool & Spa Permit Fees
• Public Pool & Spa Plan Review Fees
• Sanitary District List
• Sign up to receive paperless inspection reports

Safety

• Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements
• California Department of Public Health
• Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Model Aquatic Health code
• World Health Organization pool safety guide

Health

• Waterborne illnesses