Public Bathing Permits

Are you planning on building or opening a new public swimming pool, hot tub, or other bathing place? The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) requires that these types of facilities obtain a permit.

Public bathing places include, but are not limited to:

  • Community pools
  • Apartment pools
  • Hotel/motel pools
  • Wave pools
  • Waterslides
  • Gym pools
  • School pools
  • Condominium pools
  • Recirculating spray pads
  • Health Club Pools

In order to get a permit, these facilities must go through a plan review process before being built or renovated.

Submitting your plans and having them reviewed prior to construction allows our inspectors to work with you to ensure that what you build follows all of the rules and regulations. Making sure your plans are up to code will save you time and money in the long run.

To better help you understand what you need to do as part of the plan review process, we’ve put together the Public Bathing Place Plan Review Information(PDF, 708KB) which explains the steps in detail.

Along with plans for each proposed public bathing place, a PA Dept. of Health Application to Operate a Bathing Place(PDF, 400KB) must be submitted to ACHD for review. An additional copy of this information must also be submitted to the PA Department of Health to obtain the appropriate State Bathing Place permit. For more information about state Public Bathing Place permits, please visit the PA Department of Health Permitting a Public Bathing Place page.

Public bathing places are regulated under ACHD’s Article IX: Lifeguards, Bathing Places, Hot Tubs, and Spas(PDF, 1MB).

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Housing and Community Environment Program at 412-350-4046 and ask for a plan review inspector.

Public Bathing Place Operator Resources

Are you a current operator or employee of a bathing place? Here are some resources that can assist you in maintaining your facility at the highest standard of health and safety:

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