District of Columbia · Pools and spas

The public pool and spa rules in force in District of Columbia now.

Aquatic Facilities Regulations (Swimming Pools, Spa Pools and Saunas), DCMR Title 25-C, final rule effective Jun 9, 2017. Enforced by DC Department of Health (DC Health). Checked on the primary source; the state record was last reviewed 2026-11-12.

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Pools and spas in District of Columbia

Checked on the source

In force

Aquatic Facilities Regulations (Swimming Pools, Spa Pools and Saunas), DCMR Title 25-C, final rule effective Jun 9, 2017

Title 25-C DCMR Aquatic Facilities Regulations, adopted Apr 4, 2017 and effective on D.C. Register publication Jun 9, 2017; repealed old Chapter 64 and incorporated the second edition of the CDC Model Aquatic Health Code.

Source: primary document

Who enforces it

DC Department of Health (DC Health)

Statewide layer. County and city amendments sit on top; confirm the local office for the address.

What changes next

In force

In force, nothing scheduled

The federal layer

The federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (drain covers and anti-entrapment) applies to every public pool alongside the state rule below.

What a building has to do

1 recurring duties

These apply when the building has the equipment or fits the type named. The frequency is the standard one; your local official can set a stricter one, so confirm it for the address.

Annual

Public pool or spa: operating permit and health inspectionsState or county pool rules · Health department · Not yet checked line by line against the source.

Questions about the public pool and spa rules in District of Columbia

Which public pool rules apply in District of Columbia today?

Aquatic Facilities Regulations (Swimming Pools, Spa Pools and Saunas), DCMR Title 25-C, final rule effective Jun 9, 2017. Title 25-C DCMR Aquatic Facilities Regulations, adopted Apr 4, 2017 and effective on D.C. Register publication Jun 9, 2017; repealed old Chapter 64 and incorporated the second edition of the CDC Model Aquatic Health Code.

Who enforces the public pool and spa rules in District of Columbia?

DC Department of Health (DC Health).

What changes next for the public pool and spa rules in District of Columbia?

Nothing is scheduled. The rule above stays in force until the state adopts a newer edition or amends the program; AHJ Radar re-checks the source weekly.

Other areas in District of Columbia

Everything in force in District of Columbia

Fire codeDC Fire Code: 2017 DCMR 12H, based on the 2015 International Fire Code, part of the 2017 D…Building code2017 DC Construction Codes (2015 ICC family + 2014 NEC + 2013 ASHRAE 90.1, DC-amended); DC…ElevatorsDCMR 12A Sec. 3001 requires conveyances to be inspected and certified; certificates under …BoilersDCMR Title 12, Ch.10E (Boilers, Water Heaters and Pressure Vessels) and Title 17, Ch.4 (St…Hotels and lodgingDLCP Lodging Business license (activity types include Hotel, Inn and Motel, Bed and Breakf…Workplace safetyFederal OSHA jurisdiction; DC has no OSHA-approved State Plan

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