In Wyoming, public swimming pools and spas are regulated by the Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA), Consumer Health Services division, under Agency 010, Sub-agency 0008 of the Wyoming Administrative Code.
Unlike most states where the Department of Health takes the lead, Wyoming’s Department of Agriculture oversees the licensing and inspection of all "public" pools—which includes any facility used by more than a single household (hotels, apartments, HOAs, and camps).
As of 2026, Wyoming continues to enforce a mandatory certification rule for all public aquatic facilities.
Annual Operating License: Every public pool must obtain a license from the WDA or a recognized local health department. Licenses typically expire on June 30th and require a $100 annual fee.
Certified Pool Operator (CPO): All public pools and spas in Wyoming are required to have a Certified Pool Operator on staff or under contract to oversee operations.
Plan Review: Any new construction, major alteration, or equipment replacement (like switching filter types) requires a plan review and approval from the WDA before work begins.
Wyoming's high-altitude and dry climate can lead to rapid evaporation, making consistent chemical logging critical.
Standard Ranges:
Free Chlorine: Minimum 1.0 ppm (Maximum 10.0 ppm).
pH Levels: Must be strictly maintained between 7.2 and 7.8.
Total Alkalinity: Must be tested at least once per week and kept between 50 and 250 ppm.
Clarity: The pool water must be clear enough that the drain grate design at the deepest part of the pool is clearly visible from the deck.
Daily Records: Operators must maintain a daily log of chemical levels, bather load, filter backwashing, and any equipment malfunctions. These logs must be kept for at least one year.
Wyoming follows the International Residential Code (IRC) Appendix G standards for pool barriers to ensure child safety.
Height: Barriers for outdoor pools must be at least 4 feet (48 inches) high, measured from the side facing away from the pool.
Gate Security: Access gates must open outward, be self-closing, and self-latching.
Latch Placement: If the latch is less than 54 inches from the bottom, it must be on the pool side of the gate and at least 3 inches below the top.
Gaps: The vertical clearance at the bottom of the fence cannot exceed 2 inches above the ground. Vertical pickets must not allow a 4-inch sphere to pass through.
The "Lifesaving Unit": Required equipment must be mounted in a visible area:
A shepherd’s hook (rescue pole) at least 12 feet long.
A life ring with an attached throwing rope.
A fully stocked First Aid kit.
Emergency Telephone: A telephone must be available on the premises. While Wyoming does not strictly mandate a hard-wired landline, it must be functional and have Emergency Rescue Numbers (911, Fire, Police) and the facility’s physical address posted in clear view of the phone.
Depth Markers: Must be located on both the deck and the pool walls at maximum/minimum depths and at every 1-foot depth change in the shallow area.
Unique to Wyoming due to its geology, the WDA regulates "Flow-Thru" pools—facilities that use naturally occurring hot springs.
No Disinfection: These pools rely on the continuous natural flow of water to maintain quality and are not required to use traditional filtration or chemical disinfection.
Risk Assessment: Inspectors perform a specialized risk assessment on these facilities at least once per year to ensure the natural turnover rate is sufficient to prevent communicable disease.
WDA Consumer Health - Pools & Spas: The primary state portal for CPO brochures, VGB Act compliance, and variance request forms.
Wyoming Administrative Code (WAC 010-0008): The full legal text governing public swimming pools and spas (search for Agency 010).
Teton County Public Pool Testing Schedule: An example of local county health department oversight, including mandatory monthly water sample submissions.
Wyoming Pool Code 2026 Quick Reference: A technical guide for operators regarding emergency phone compliance and signage.
Note for 2026: If your pool is in a high-wind area (common in Wyoming), ensure your Life Ring is properly secured. Inspectors frequently cite facilities where the safety rope has become tangled or weathered by UV exposure and high-desert winds.
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