Public Pool Plan Review

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reviews public pool construction, installation, and alteration projects for compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 144.1222 and Minnesota Rules, parts 4717.0150 to 4717.3975 (Minnesota Pool Code).

"Public pool" means any pool other than a private residential pool, that is: (1) open to the public generally, whether for a fee or free of charge; (2) open exclusively to members of an organization and their guests; (3) open to residents of a multiunit apartment building, apartment complex, residential real estate development, or other multifamily residential area; (4) open to patrons of a hotel or lodging or other public accommodation facility; or (5) operated by a person in a park, school, licensed child care facility, group home, motel, camp, resort, club, condominium, manufactured home park, or political subdivision.

Public pool construction/installation plans submitted for review must be certified by a professional engineer registered in the State of Minnesota.

Plan review process

1. Submit plans to MDH for review: Public Pool Plan Review Application (PDF)
   (Notice: Download application for fillable form functionality)
2. Start the project after MDH approves the plans
3. Schedule inspection of completed project: health.swimmingpools@state.mn.us
   (Notice: Send email including project name, address, and requested inspection date)
4. Obtain the operational license from the authority having jurisdiction after passing inspection

Projects that require plan review

MDH provides the following list as guidance to determine when to submit plans for review. Contact MDH if clarification is needed on whether the project requires plan review.

Plan Review is required for projects marked with an asterisk (*). Projects that don't require plan review must still comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 144.1222, and Minnesota Rules, parts 4717.0150 to 4717.3975 (Minnesota pool code). 

'Like for like' means equivalent, identical or substantially similar equipment.

Pool basin/structure

• *Constructing or installing new pool
• *Altering pool basin from original structural design (e.g. constructing benches, ramps, steps, shallowing deep end, installing automatic pool cover)
• Refinishing/resurfacing pool basin
• Installing pool basin repair liner

Pool area

• Replacing automatic pool cover (like for like)
• Installing manual pool cover
• Installing handrails/ladders
• Installing or refinishing deck, including handholds/coping
• Installing deck drains
• Installing pool area lighting
• Installing lifeguard stations
• Installing ADA lifts
• Installing air handling systems

Circulation system

• Installing suction outlet covers/grates when the cover/grates when the cover/grate is the only component of the Suction Outlet Fitting Assembly (SOFA) being installed
  (Notice: View Public Pool Suction Entrapment Prevention (PDF) and Suction Outlet Cover/Grate Installation Log (PDF)
• *Installing or modifying suction outlet sumps (e.g. reconfiguring sumps in series into a compliant in parallel configuration)
  (Notice: View Public Pool Suction Entrapment Prevention (PDF)
• *Installing suction outlet fitting assemblies (SOFAs)
  (Notice: View Public Pool Suction Entrapment Prevention (PDF)
• Installing Safety Vacuum Release Systems (SVRS)
• Replacing skimmers (like for like) (e.g. maintaining existing locations and existing piping)
• *Altering skimmer quantity, location, and associated piping
• Installing skimmer equalizer line fittings, or permanently plugging equalizer lines
• Replacing gutter (like for like)
• *Installing gutter (e.g. replacing concrete gutter with stainless steel gutter)
• Replacing surge/balance tanks (like for like)
• *Installing surge/balance tanks (e.g. replacing balance pipe with surge/balance tank)
• Replacing gutter grating or dropout piping (like for like)
• Replacing pumps and motors (like for like)
  (Notice: View Public Pool Suction Entrapment Prevention (PDF)
• *Installing pumps or motors (>50% output increase)
  (Notice: View Public Pool Suction Entrapment Prevention (PDF)
• Installing external Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)
• Replacing filters (like for like)
• *Installing different filter types (e.g. replacing sand filter with regenerative media filter, replacing cartridge filter with sand filter)
• Installing pool heating/cooling systems
• Installing disinfection system/chemical controllers
• Replacing disinfection systems (like for like)
• *Installing different disinfection system types (e.g. replacing calcium hypochlorite erosion feeder with sodium hypochlorite peristaltic pump)
• Installing secondary/supplemental disinfection systems
• Repairing/replacing localized piping (like for like)
• *Installing non-localized piping, or altering piping configurations (e.g. reconfiguring layout of pump room equipment, pool perimeter piping)
• Installing valves, fittings, flowmeters, gauges, thermometers, sight glasses
• Installing pool water supplies, including backflow prevention devices
• Installing water level controllers

Pool access restriction, fencing

• Replacing walls/fencing/gates/doors (e.g. maintaining existing pool enclosure perimeter)
• *Altering pool enclosure perimeter (e.g. expanding fencing to encompass larger area and other amenities)

Play equipment, slides, starting blocks, diving

• *Installing or replacing drop and flume slides
• Repairing drop and flume slides (e.g. recoating, replacing slide section)
• Installing or replacing standard slides that meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission Standard "Safety Standard for Swimming Pool Slides," Code of Federal Regulations, title 16, part 1207, as amended through December 18, 1978
• Replacing play structures and play features which include associated suction/pressure piping (like for like)
• *Installing play structures and play features which include associated suction/pressure piping
• Installing or replacing play structures and play features which do not include suction/pressure piping (e.g. climbing wall, water walk, tethered inflatable, basketball hoop, volleyball)
• Replacing diving boards/diving structures (like for like) (e.g. maintaining existing height and location)
• *Installing diving boards/diving structures (e.g. new location, replacing 1 meter with 3 meter)
• Installing or replacing starting blocks

Support facilities

• *Altering fixture counts (e.g. number of toilets and showers)

Contact information

Email
health.swimmingpools@state.mn.us

Phone
651-201-4500

Mailing address
Minnesota Department of Health
Food, Pools, and Lodging Services Section
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0975

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