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Public Pools, Spas

Notice: As of June 28, 2021, Emergency Rules related to Lifeguards have been submitted and signed.

Exemption request letters containing the provisions listed in the emergency rules can be sent to CHSLicensing@health.ok.gov or ConsumerHealth@health.ok.gov for consideration.

Regulation of public pools, spas, and other "public bathing places" reduces the incidence of illness and injury. All public bathing places shall be maintained in a sanitary and safe condition, and all owners, managers, operators and other attendants in charge of any public bathing place shall be responsible for the sanitation and safety of such places during the season or seasons when the public bathing place is in use. Inspection of the facilities is performed by county sanitarians.

Effective as of October 1, 2017

 

Current Fee

Public Bathing Initial 

$125

Public Bathing Renewal (annual)

$75

Municipal (pop. < 5000) Initial / Renewal

$50

Help Stop Disease Outbreaks from Swimming

  1. Shower before swimming.
    • Wash your child before swimming (especially the rear end).
  2. Don’t swallow pool water
    • Avoid getting any water in the mouth.
  3. Don't swim with diarrhea
    • You and/or your child should wait at least two weeks after diarrhea resolves before swimming again.
  4. Avoid pool accidents (report accidents to pool manager).
    • Take frequent bathroom pool breaks, change diapers often, and use special swimming diapers.
  5. Change diapers in designated areas such as the restroom, not at the poolside.
  6. Wash up! Wash hands frequently, especially after changing diapers or using the restroom.
Protect yourself and others from germs in the pool. For further information on healthy swimming behaviors, call your local county health department or visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

  • Minor Modifications – prior to filling the pool with water following completion of the update, the Department must complete a final inspection and approve the minor modification updates.
  • Pipe and/or Steel Inspections – prior to covering up pipe and/or steel construction, the Department must be scheduled to complete an inspection.
  • Final Inspection – once all construction is complete and the pool water is balanced, a written request must be submitted for a final inspection.

Please note, it is recommended to request inspections at least one (1) to two (2) weeks in advance as the inspector schedule may fill up depending on the time of year.

Requests for inspection may be made directly to the assigned Department inspector that approved the original permit, or an email may be sent to CHSLicensing@health.ok.gov.

Once the facility is approved during the final inspection, the inspector will issue a license application. Payment must be made within four (4) days to the State Department of Health.

Routine inspections are conducted unannounced by county health department inspectors. The number of inspections per year is dependent on the type of public bathing place:

  • Seasonal – typically outdoor pools only operate around the April-September swim season
    • Conducted two times per year during the swim season
  • Year Round – typically indoor pools operated year round
    • Conducted four times per year throughout the year

In the event multiple violations are identified during a routine inspection and are not corrected timely, the Department may enact the enforcement process. Upon notification, an unannounced inspection will occur typically around 15 days after the notice of enforcement has been received. This timeframe following the notice is an opportunity to correct any noted violations.

Current licenses should be maintained and on display or available for review at the public bathing place venue.

An initial application will only be issued at the time of a final inspection or during an ownership change. Initial application forms are completed and signed by the inspector and issued to the owner. It is the owner’s responsibility to send a copy of the paperwork into the State Department of Health with payment within four (4) business days of issuance.

Public Bathing Place licenses must be renewed annually. A courtesy renewal reminder will be mailed out to the last known address; however, it is still the responsibility of the owner to submit payment.

The licensee should always include either a copy of the renewal form or a copy of the current license with the payment to ensure the payment is applied appropriately and timely. Fees mailed without supporting documentation may delay the processing of the renewal application.

Payments postmarked thirty (30) days after expiration will be subject to an additional fee equal to half (50%) of the current renewal fee. For example, if the license renewal fee is $75, then at 30 days or more late, the required amount owed would be ($75 renewal + $37.50 late fee) a total of $112.50.

Payments postmarked ninety (90) days or more after expiration must pay an amount equal to the initial license fee for a new establishment. For example, if the initial license fee is $125, then at 90 days or more late, the required amount owed would be a total of $125. 

Renewals may be mailed to:

Oklahoma State Department of Health
Consumer Health Service
P.O. Box 268815
Oklahoma City, OK 73126-8815

The Oklahoma State Department of Health only regulates public bathing place venues which includes numerous types of pools or other water recreational venues that the public has access to. In some instances, a “public” pool is considered private because only certain members may gain access or member’s guests. Regardless if a public pool is private or public, both are under the regulatory authority and must be licensed. Below are just a few examples.

  • Public – requires licensure
    • Public
      • Fun park
      • Municipal pool/spa
      • Schools
      • Government Run Campgrounds
    • Private
      • Apartments
      • Country club
      • Exercise club
      • Home owners associations with more than 30 homes
      • Hotel/Motel
      • Retirement center
      • Summer camps
      • Therapy pool/spa
      • University pool/spa
  • Private – no licensure
    • Home owners associations with 30 OR LESS homes
    • Individual home owners

These may either be indoor or outdoor venues:

  • Lazy River
  • Pool
  • Slide Pool
  • Spa
  • Wading Pool

Float tanks, or isolation tanks, are not regulated in the State of Oklahoma at this time. 

Ownership Change

To change ownership on a property with a pool license, contact the local county health department.

Local inspectors will schedule a site-visit and issue an initial license application to update the contact owner information. The owner is responsible for mailing in a copy of the application along with payment.


Contact Information

Mailing Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Consumer Health Service
P.O. Box 268815
Oklahoma City, OK 73126-8815

Physical Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK

Phone: (405) 426-8250
Fax: (405) 900-7557
Email:
CHSLicensing@health.ok.gov