The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) provides a Rules and Regulations for Public Swimming Pools, but these are only legally enforceable in counties that have explicitly adopted them or do not have their own local codes.
Regulated Counties: Major counties like Jefferson (Birmingham), Mobile, and Madison (Huntsville) have their own specific, strict health department regulations and inspection programs.
Permit Requirements: In regulated counties, you must obtain an annual "Operation Permit" and pass at least one or two inspections per year.
For areas following the state-level guidelines, the requirements generally include:
Water Chemistry:
Chlorine: Minimum 1.0 ppm (2.0 ppm for spas).
pH: Must be between 7.2 and 7.8.
Clarity: The main drain at the deepest part of the pool must be clearly visible from the deck.
Life-Saving Equipment: Public pools must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life ring with an attached rope and a reaching pole (shepherd’s crook) at least 12 feet long.
Lifeguards: Alabama law generally does not mandate lifeguards for all public pools (like hotels or apartments). However, if no lifeguard is provided, a "NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY" sign with letters at least 4 inches high is legally required.
Regardless of which county you are in, all public pools in Alabama must comply with the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.
Drain Covers: All suction outlets must have ANSI/APSP-16 compliant covers.
Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS): Pools with a single main drain must have an SVRS to automatically shut off the pump if a blockage (entrapment) is detected.
Alabama generally follows the International Building Code (IBC) or International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) for construction:
Fence Height: Usually a minimum of 48 inches (4 feet).
Gate Hardware: Must be self-closing and self-latching. The latch must be located at least 54 inches above the ground to keep it out of reach of small children.
Alabama State Board of Health - Pool Rules (PDF): The primary state-level document for pool design and operation.
Jefferson County Health Department - Pool Program: An example of local regulations for the Birmingham area.
Mobile County Health Department - Swimming Pools: Local requirements for the Mobile area.
ADPH Environmental Health Division: The main contact for environmental health concerns in Alabama.
Because rules vary wildly between a city like Huntsville and a rural county, your first step should always be contacting your specific County Health Department. They are the boots-on-the-ground authority that will issue your permit and conduct your health inspections.
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