Pools, Spas and Spray Grounds - NYC Health

Health

Promoting and Protecting the City's Health


Permits and LicensesHealth AcademyFood OperatorsOpportunities

Animal Facilities
Beaches
Camps
Child Care
Restaurants, Mobile Food Vending
Mental Health Licensed Programs (NYS OMH)
Violations and Summonses
Pools, Spas and Spray Grounds
Smoking: Exemptions, Registration and Hookah
Drinking Water
Cooling Towers
Radiological Equipment (X-Rays) and Materials
Other Permits and Registrations

Animal Facilities

Beaches

Camps

Child Care

Restaurants, Mobile Food Vending

Mental Health Licensed Programs (NYS OMH)

Violations and Summonses

Pools, Spas and Spray Grounds

Smoking: Exemptions, Registration and Hookah

Drinking Water

Cooling Towers

Radiological Equipment (X-Rays) and Materials

Other Permits and Registrations


Pools, Spas and Spray Grounds

In New York City, a pool operator certificate is required to operate a pool in a health club, residential apartment building, hotel or other location where the public may have access to the pool. The certificate ensures that the operator has been trained in the safe and effective operation and maintenance of pool treatment equipment.

The following is a list of courses that have been approved by the New York State Department of Health to provide certification courses in pool operations.

NYS Department of Health: Qualified Swimming Pool Water Treatment
Operator Courses and Certifications (PDF)

Required NYC Permits

Bathing Establishment with Pool Permit Information

Bathing Establishment without Pool (Sauna, Steam Room, and/or Sprayground) Permit Information

Non-traditional Recreational Water Projects

The site assessment protocol below sets out the NYC Health Department’s evaluation process for a beach, pool or hybrid recreational water project that does not immediately satisfy certain Health Code health and safety requirements.

Site Assessment Protocol for Non-Traditional Recreational Water Projects: Pre-Qualification Process for Permit Modification (PDF, March 2024)

Additional Resources

NYS Department of Health: Information for Swimming Pool, Bathing Beach, and Recreational Aquatic Spray Ground Operators