In Pennsylvania, public and semi-public swimming pools are governed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) under 28 Pa. Code Chapter 18 (Public Swimming and Bathing Places) and the Public Bathing Law.
As of 2026, Pennsylvania remains a "Permit First" state, meaning no public bathing place can operate without a valid permit issued by the DOH after a rigorous operational inspection.
Pennsylvania’s standards are focused on chemical precision and clarity, requiring specific testing methods that are more detailed than in many other states.
Water Chemistry (Standard Ranges):
Free Chlorine: Minimum 0.4 ppm (DOH recommends 2.0–4.0 ppm for safety).
pH Levels: Must be maintained between 7.2 and 8.2.
Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid): Must remain below 15 ppm for indoor pools and is generally discouraged or tightly limited in outdoor public units.
FAS-DPD Testing: The state requires the FAS-DPD titration method for testing disinfectant residuals. Standard "color-matching" DPD kits are often considered insufficient for professional logging.
Clarity: A 6-inch black disc on a white field must be clearly visible at the deepest point of the pool. If you cannot see the bottom drain, the pool fails and must be closed.
Bacteria Testing: A sample from each unit must be tested for bacteria once per week while open, plus one test prior to the seasonal opening.
Pennsylvania follows the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), which mirrors the International Residential Code (IRC) for pool barriers.
Height: Barriers must be at least 4 feet (48 inches) high.
Gate Security: All access gates must be self-closing and self-latching and must swing outward (away from the pool).
Latch Height: The latch release must be at least 54 inches above the ground to remain out of a child's reach.
Gap Limits: No opening in the fence can allow a 4-inch sphere to pass through. The vertical clearance between the bottom of the fence and the ground must be 2 inches or less.
Pennsylvania is unique in its mandatory re-certification of electrical systems.
Regular Inspections: All public bathing places must have their electrical systems inspected and certified as compliant with the National Electric Code (NEC) by an independent agency every three years.
GFCI Protection: Mandatory for all pool-related equipment within 20 feet, including pumps, heaters, and underwater lighting.
The "Lifesaving Unit": Every pool must have the following readily available:
A reaching device (shepherd's crook).
A flotation device (ring buoy or rescue tube).
A standard 24-unit first aid kit.
Emergency Phone: A phone must be available within 200 unobstructed feet of the pool. As of 2026, the DOH allows cellular pool phones as long as they are dedicated to emergency use and provide reliable 911 access.
Lifeguards: Required for pools open to the general public. The standard is at least one lifeguard for every 4,000 square feet of water surface area.
Pesticide Applicator License (Cat. 24): In Pennsylvania, anyone who handles or applies pool chemicals is required to have a Pesticide Applicator License issued by the PA Department of Agriculture.
CPO Certification: While a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) is only strictly required in Allegheny County, it is highly recommended (and often required by insurance) in Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties.
28 Pa. Code Chapter 18 (Official Regulations): The full legal text governing PA public swimming and bathing places.
PA DOH Public Bathing Place Application (PDF): The mandatory form for obtaining an operational permit.
PA Department of Agriculture - Pesticide Program: Information on obtaining the Category 24 license for chemical handling.
Allegheny County Health Department - Water Facilities: Specific rules for the Pittsburgh area, including mandatory CPO requirements.
Note for 2026: Pennsylvania requires that recirculation systems (pumps and filters) operate 24/7 during the pool's operating season. Turning off the pump at night to save electricity is a violation of the State Sanitary Code.
5170A Timberlea Blvd.