Public Swimming Pools

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For protection of the public health and safety, the Environmental Health Division enforces rules concerning the construction and operation of all public swimming pools, including wading pools and spas, per 15A NCAC 18A .2500 Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools.

A public pool is defined as any structure, chamber or tank containing an artificial body of water used by the public for swimming, diving, wading, recreation or therapy together with buildings, appurtenances and equipment used in connection with the body of water, regardless of whether a fee is charged for its use. The term includes municipal, school, hotel, motel, apartment, boarding house, athletic club or other membership facility pools and spas. This rule does not apply to a private pool serving a single family dwelling and used only by the residents of the dwelling and their guests.

Steps to New Construction or Remodeled Pool Approvals:

1. Plan review application and construction plans must be submitted prior to pool construction or remodel.

2. Submit fee payment with application and data sheet.

Note: Applications can now be submitted online through the Open Gov Web portal

3. Submit Pool Drain Suction Compliance (PDSC) formerly called VGB sheet for each pool, spa, wading pool.

4. The assigned plans examiner will review all submitted documents within 30 days of submission. Once plans have been approved, the plans examiner will issue a plan approval to the applicant and to Chatham County Central Permitting.

5. The plans examiner will make several site visits during the construction phase to determine compliance with approved plans.

6. Once construction is complete, the plans examiner will conduct a field inspection (includes all safety and water quality standards) to determine compliance with NC's Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools.

7. Issuance of Operations Permit to Certified Pool Operator.

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Steps to Seasonal/Yearly Pool Permitting:

1. Submit Pool Application and Seasonal or Year round Feefor each pool, spa, wading pool.

Note: Applications can now be submitted online through the Open Gov Web Porta l

Each application packet should include:

Complete Application
- *Reminder on application-check if any equipment has been replaced since last year, add specific hours of operation and sign the application.
Paid Fee
Pool Drain Suction Compliance(PDSC) form
CPO certification
Equipment specification sheets for each pool.

2. Submit Pool Drain Suction Compliance (PDSC) form formerly called VGB sheet for each pool, spa, wading pool, and water feature.

3. Submit equipment specification sheets for pump, drain covers, equalizers, and any updated equipment.

4. Once the assigned inspector has received the COMPLETE application and all supporting documents, inspector will contact you for a permitting appointment.

5. During this permitting appointment, the assigned inspector will go over all pre-opening checklist items for compliance. If the pool is in compliance, the inspector may issue the Operations Permit.

Please note: All pools (seasonal and year round) will be inspected and permitted during the permitting appointment, seasonal pools will also have one unannounced inspection during the operational period. Year round pools will be inspected twice during the operational period.