All public swimming pools, wading pools, and spas must comply with the North Carolina .2500 Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools amended effective May 1, 2010. All public pools and spas must have an operation permit issued by the Department in order to operate. An annual operation permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance; pools that open on or after April 1 are issued a seasonal permit that expires on October 31 of that year.

Prior to issuance of a permit for each operation year or season, the owner or operator must submit an application, pool drain safety compliance data sheet and the required fee to the Environmental Health Office. Fees can be found on the Environmental Health Fee Schedule.

• Application for a Public Pool Operation Permit / Drain Cover Replacement (fillable PDF)
• Associated Fees (2022)
• Electrical System Safety Guidelines for Public Swimming Pools

Constructing a New Pool or Spa

The owner shall submit a complete set of plans, equipment specification (spec) sheets and data sheet to this office for review and approval prior to the start of construction. The plans and specifications shall be prepared by a registered design professional and constructed by a Swimming Pool contractor licensed by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. If construction is not initiated within one year from the date of approval, the approval is void.

• Pool and Spa Data Sheet (required with a new construction plan submission)

Important Links

• Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act