In South Carolina, public swimming pools are regulated by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES)—formerly under DHEC—governed by Regulation 61-51.
As of 2026, South Carolina has clarified its rules regarding emergency communication and contractor licensing, emphasizing that "mobile or cordless" solutions are not acceptable for life-safety compliance.
SCDES classifies pools by type (Type A through G), ranging from municipal waterparks to semi-public hotel/apartment pools.
Water Chemistry (Standard Ranges):
Free Chlorine: Minimum 1.0 ppm; Maximum 8.0 ppm.
pH Levels: Must be strictly maintained between 7.0 and 7.8.
Daily Operation Reports: Operators must use a bound logbook with consecutively numbered pages. Instrument monitoring (automation) does not replace the requirement for physical manual water sampling.
Certified Pool Operator (CPO): All public pools must be under the direction of a qualified operator. The CPO of record must inspect the pool at least three times per week and initial the logbook.
South Carolina law (and the 2026 Building Code) requires a "code-compliant" barrier for any pool deeper than 24 inches.
Height: Barriers must be at least 4 feet (48 inches) high, measured from the outside.
Gate Security: Must open outward (away from the pool), be self-closing, and self-latching.
Latch Placement: The latch must be at least 54 inches from the ground. If lower, it must be on the pool side, 3 inches below the top, with no opening larger than 1/2 inch nearby.
Ground Clearance: * 2 inches maximum on non-solid surfaces (grass/dirt).
4 inches maximum on solid surfaces (concrete).
Climb Resistance: If horizontal rails are less than 45 inches apart, they must be on the pool-facing side to prevent a "ladder effect."
South Carolina is notoriously strict about the "Emergency Notification Device."
Permanently Mounted: The device must be permanently mounted and weather-resistant.
Prohibited Tech: Per R. 61-51.J, mobile phones, Voice over Internet (VoIP), and cordless telephones are strictly prohibited as alternatives to a hard-wired, permanently mounted device.
Location: Must be within a 200-foot walking distance of the pool.
Signage: The physical address of the pool must be permanently displayed at the phone to assist emergency dispatchers.
Rescue Gear: Every facility must have a "Lifesaving Station" including:
A 12-foot reaching pole with a shepherd’s crook.
A U.S. Coast Guard-approved ring buoy with a throw line (1.5x the pool width).
Lifelines: Required if the pool depth exceeds 5 feet, 6 inches. The line must be placed 1 to 2 feet on the shallow side of the transition point.
Lifeguards: Required for "Type A" (general public) and "Type E" (waterparks) facilities. For apartments/hotels (Type B), a "Warning: No Lifeguard on Duty" sign in 4-inch letters is mandatory.
S.C. Regulation 61-51 (Public Swimming Pools): The official SCDES legal text for design and operation.
SCDES Change Order Request Form: Mandatory for any modifications to existing equipment or pool structure.
South Carolina 2026 Pool Contractor Licensing: Details on the mandatory CLB Swimming Pool classification required for any project over $10,000.
SCDES 34-Point Inspection Checklist (PDF): The actual checklist used by inspectors during the 2026 "Pool School" audits.
Note for 2026: In South Carolina, all Construction Permits for new pools expire one year from the date of issue. If the project is not completed, you must apply for an extension or a new permit through SCDES before the pool can be filled with water.
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