Florida Public Swimming Pool Regulations
Table of Contents
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) regulates public swimming pools, spas,
interactive water features, wading pools, and special purpose pools to
protect public health and safety. These facilities are subject to annual
permitting and routine inspections to ensure compliance with state
standards, reducing the risk of waterborne illnesses and injuries.
What is Considered a Public Pool?
A “public pool” in Florida encompasses a wide range of facilities,including
conventional pools,spa-type pools,wading pools,special purpose pools,and
water recreation attractions. This definition extends to facilities operated
by or serving camps,churches,cities,counties,day care centers,group
homes (with eight or more clients),health spas,institutions,parks,state
agencies,schools,private home subdivisions,and cooperative living
arrangements like apartments,boardinghouses,hotels,mobile home parks,
motels,recreational vehicle parks,homeowner associations (HOAs),and
townhouses.
Permitting and Operational Requirements
Operating a public swimming pool in Florida requires compliance with
Chapter 64E-9,Florida Administrative Code,
Chapter 514, Florida Statutes, and Section 454 of the Florida Building Code (FBC). Operators must obtain
plan approval from the Florida Department of Health and the local
jurisdictional building department. This involves submitting applications and
paying applicable fees to the Florida Department of Health in the relevant
county Environmental Health Services division.
The permit year runs from July 1 to June 30, and licenses must be renewed
annually. A $50 late fee is assessed for untimely renewals.
Epsom Salt Float tanks
Floatation tanks offered for public use are legally classified as public
pools under Florida regulations and are therefore subject to the same
standards for equipment,design,water quality,and operation as conventional
pools. These standards are detailed in Chapter 64E-9,Florida
Administrative Code,and Section 454 of the Florida Building Code.
Entrapment Protection
Federal law, specifically the Virginia Graeme Baker pool and Spa Safety Act
of 2009, requires all public pools and spas to be equipped with
anti-entrapment systems or devices that meet American Society of Mechanical
Engineers (ASME) standards.More information is available on the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety CommissionS website:
PoolSafely.gov.
Accessibility (ADA)
for specific requirements regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
and swimming pool accessibility, contact your local building department.
Bathing Places (Natural Bodies of Water)
Freshwater lakes, often referred to as “bathing places,” are monitored monthly
for bacteriological water quality. However, the Florida Department of Health
no longer permits or inspects these facilities. Monthly sampling continues
based on the lake’s operational schedule, and the results are reviewed by
the Department.
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