When you need a license
You need a health license if you:
- Open a new water recreation facility, or
- Take over ownership of an existing facility
Renewing your license
You must renew your license every year.
To renew, submit:
Pre-opening inspection
You must schedule a pre-opening inspection if:
- You are opening a new facility, or
- You are reopening a seasonal pool
Call 703-228-7444, option 4 to schedule your inspection.
If you want to build or operate a public swimming pool, spa, or interactive water feature in Arlington, you must follow Chapter 24.1(PDF, 503KB) of the Arlington County Code.
Plan review
Before you begin construction or remodeling, you must:
For detailed submission requirements, visit the Commercial Building Permit Submission Requirements page.
Public pool connections
If you are building a new public or commercial pool, you must connect it to the sanitary sewer system.
For questions about pool connections and requirements, call Inspection Services at 703-228-3800.
Staffing
When the pool is open, you must have the following on site at all times:
- Certified lifeguard
- Person in charge
The person in charge must know how to operate the pool safely. This includes understanding:
- Water chemistry
- Pool equipment and water flow
- How germs spread illness
- Other basics needed to keep swimmers safe
Reporting injuries and drownings
Arlington County Code § 24.1-56 requires pool owners to report the following to Arlington County Public Health:
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Call 703-228-7444, option 4
Evenings and weekends
Call 703-558-2222 and ask for the Public Health Duty Officer
After reporting by phone, submit the Drowning and Injury Report Form.
Pool drain safety
Federal law requires public pools to have:
- Compliant drain covers
- Backup systems to prevent entrapment
This law is called the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.
For more information about drain safety, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website.
You can take steps to stay healthy and safe when you visit water recreation facilities. The resources below can help you avoid illness and injury while swimming.
During the spring and fall, pools and spas often release large amounts of water.
In Arlington, storm drains flow directly into local streams. Pool and spa water that enters this system can harm the environment.
Pool and spa water may contain:
- Chlorine or bromine
- Algaecides and cleaning chemicals
- Low oxygen levels
These can kill fish and other aquatic life. Draining large amounts of water too quickly can also damage stream banks and cause erosion.
Learn more
Outdoor pools in Arlington County can apply for a dog swim variance. This variance allows you to hold a dog swim event after the regular pool season ends.
The Public Health Division reviews and approves dog swim variance requests.
When you can hold a dog swim
- Hold the event only after the pool season ends
- Do not allow people to swim during the event
- Only hold the event on the date and time listed in the approved variance
A dog swim variance does not allow dogs in the pool during normal operating hours!
What to do after approval
Once approved, you must:
- Post the variance where the public can easily see it
- Follow all requirements listed below
Dog and owner requirements
- Allow one dog per adult
- Keep dogs on a leash and under control when they are outside the pool
- Require each dog to have:
- A current rabies vaccination
- An Arlington County license
- Do not allow dogs that:
- Have diarrhea or loose stools
- Have open sores
- Show signs of illness or aggression
- Remove any dog that poses a public health risk
Pool safety and staffing
- Maintain required disinfectant levels in the pool (Chapter 24.1)
- Limit the number of dogs to the pool’s maximum bather load
- Provide one lifeguard for every 50 dogs
- Keep people out of the pool, except to help a dog during an emergency
- After the event:
- Super-chlorinate the pool for at least one full turnover before closing it for winter
- Do not allow swimmers in the pool after the dog swim
Dog bites