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North Carolina · Pools and spas

The public pool and spa rules in force in North Carolina now.

G.S. 130A-280 to 130A-282 + 15A NCAC 18A .2500 Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools (amended effective Nov 1, 2024). Enforced by NC DHHS Division of Public Health, Environmental Health Section (rules adopted by the Commission for Public Health); local health departments issue operation permits and inspect. Checked on the primary source; the state record was last reviewed 2026-11-12.

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Pools and spas in North Carolina

Checked on the source
In force

G.S. 130A-280 to 130A-282 + 15A NCAC 18A .2500 Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools (amended effective Nov 1, 2024)

15A NCAC 18A .2500 (amended effective Nov 1, 2024): an operation permit is valid for up to 12 months; seasonal pools are inspected at least once during operation and other pools at least twice a year. Drain covers must meet ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 2017 and ANSI/PHTA/ICC-7 2020. The local health department confirms.

Source: primary document

Who enforces it

NC DHHS Division of Public Health, Environmental Health Section (rules adopted by the Commission for Public Health); local health departments issue operation permits and inspect

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

What changes next

In force

In force; Rule .2539(d)(1) flow-verification method required before 2026 permitting (DPH position statement Nov 13, 2025); no further amendment posted

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 North Carolina

Which public pool rules apply in North Carolina today?

G.S. 130A-280 to 130A-282 + 15A NCAC 18A .2500 Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools (amended effective Nov 1, 2024). 15A NCAC 18A .2500 (amended effective Nov 1, 2024): an operation permit is valid for up to 12 months; seasonal pools are inspected at least once during operation and other pools at least twice a year. Drain covers must meet ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 2017 and ANSI/PHTA/ICC-7 2020. The local health department confirms.

Who enforces the public pool and spa rules in North Carolina?

NC DHHS Division of Public Health, Environmental Health Section (rules adopted by the Commission for Public Health); local health departments issue operation permits and inspect.

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

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 North Carolina

Everything in force in North Carolina
Fire code2018 North Carolina Fire Code (fire volume of the NC State Building Code), based on the 20…Building code2018 North Carolina Building Code (2015 IBC-based, NC amendments) and 2018 NC Existing Bui…ElevatorsElevator Safety Act (G.S. 95-110.1 et seq.) + 13 NCAC 15; installations must meet ASME A17…BoilersUniform Boiler and Pressure Vessel Act of 1975 (G.S. Ch. 95, Art. 7A) + 13 NCAC 13Hotels and lodgingG.S. 130A-248 sanitation permit + 15A NCAC 18A .1800 (effective Oct 1, 2017); G.S. 130A-51…Workplace safetyNorth Carolina State Plan (NC OSH Division, NC Department of Labor); G.S. Ch. 95, Art. 16

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