Maryland · Pools and spas

The public pool and spa rules in force in Maryland now.

COMAR 10.17.01 (Public Swimming Pools and Spas, operations), repealed and replaced with new Regulations .01-.47 effective Oct 1, 2026; COMAR 9.12.56 (Maryland Swimming Pool and Spa Standards, plan review), effective Jan 1, 2024. Enforced by Maryland Department of Health (standards); local health departments (licensing and inspection). Checked on the primary source; the state record was last reviewed 2026-11-12.

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Pools and spas in Maryland

Checked on the source

In force

COMAR 10.17.01 (Public Swimming Pools and Spas, operations), repealed and replaced with new Regulations .01-.47 effective Oct 1, 2026; COMAR 9.12.56 (Maryland Swimming Pool and Spa Standards, plan review), effective Jan 1, 2024

Rewritten 10.17.01 adopted Aug 11, 2026 as proposed (53:12 Md. R. 545) and incorporates a document by reference; operators should review the new text with their local health department. Local health departments license and inspect; COMAR 10.17.02 covers AEDs.

Source: primary document

Who enforces it

Maryland Department of Health (standards); local health departments (licensing and inspection)

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

What changes next

Rulemaking pending

Rewritten COMAR 10.17.01 in force Oct 1, 2026 (final action, Maryland Register 53:18, Sep 4, 2026, read on the primary page Oct 28, 2026); specific operator changes not yet summarized in this record

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 Maryland

Which public pool rules apply in Maryland today?

COMAR 10.17.01 (Public Swimming Pools and Spas, operations), repealed and replaced with new Regulations .01-.47 effective Oct 1, 2026; COMAR 9.12.56 (Maryland Swimming Pool and Spa Standards, plan review), effective Jan 1, 2024. Rewritten 10.17.01 adopted Aug 11, 2026 as proposed (53:12 Md. R. 545) and incorporates a document by reference; operators should review the new text with their local health department. Local health departments license and inspect; COMAR 10.17.02 covers AEDs.

Who enforces the public pool and spa rules in Maryland?

Maryland Department of Health (standards); local health departments (licensing and inspection).

What changes next for the public pool and spa rules in Maryland?

Rulemaking pending. Rewritten COMAR 10.17.01 in force Oct 1, 2026 (final action, Maryland Register 53:18, Sep 4, 2026, read on the primary page Oct 28, 2026); specific operator changes not yet summarized in this record