Public Pool

Planning to build, renovate, or operate a public swimming pool, spa, splash pad, or other water feature in Gallatin County? This section provides information on licensing requirements, plan review, inspections, water quality standards, and resources to help you operate a safe and compliant facility. 

Not sure where to start?

  • Building a new pool, spa, splash pad, or water feature → Plan Review & Licensing 
  • Remodeling an existing pool or spa → Plan Review & Licensing 
  • Currently operating a pool or spa → Operator Resources 
  • Looking for inspection information → Inspections & Compliance 

Public Pools and Spas Basics:

“Public swimming pool” means an artificial pool and related appurtenances for swimming, bathing, wading, or other aquatic therapy or recreation, including but not limited to natural hot water pools, spas, splash decks, water slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools. The term does not include swimming pools located on private property, including the private common area property of owner-occupied condominium developments, used for swimming or bathing only by the owner, members of the owner’s family, or their invited guests, or medicinal hot water baths for individual use.

“Spa” means an artificial pool that is designed for recreational bathing or therapeutic use and that is not drained, cleaned, or refilled for individual use. A spa includes but is not limited to a therapeutic pool, hydrotherapy pool, whirlpool, hot tub, or Jacuzzi-type whirlpool bath.

Click here for additional definitions for Public Pools and Spas. 

Path to Licensure

Step 1: Contact GCCHD 

Contact GCCHD early in the planning process. Staff can help answer questions regarding licensing requirements, inspections, water and wastewater approvals, and other project-specific requirements. 

Step 2: Submit a Plan Review Application to EHFS 

All new pools, spas, splash pads, water features, and many remodels require plan review approval. 

Plan review applications must be submitted directly to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Environmental Health and Food Safety Section (EHFS). 

Step 3: EHFS Plan Review Approval 

EHFS will review the application and may request additional information or revisions before approving the project. 

Once approved, the plan review is forwarded to GCCHD for local review and licensing coordination. 

Step 4: Complete Local Review Requirements 

GCCHD will review the project to verify that all applicable local requirements have been addressed. Depending on the project, this may include water supply approval, wastewater disposal approval, Certificate of Subdivision Approval (COSA) review, daily operation information, licensee information, and other project-specific documentation. 

Additional information may be requested before the licensing process can continue. 

Step 5: Submit Required Operational Documentation 

Prior to scheduling a pre-operational inspection, documentation such as Virginia Graeme Baker Act (VGBA) documentation, Certified Pool Operator (CPO) information, CPR certification information, the Construction Verification Form, and other project-specific information may be required. 

Step 6: Schedule a Pre-Operational Inspection 

Once construction is complete and all required documentation has been submitted, contact GCCHD to schedule a pre-operational inspection. 

The pool, spa, splash pad, or water feature must be filled, operational, and ready for inspection. 

During the inspection, staff will verify compliance with approved plans, operational requirements, safety equipment, water chemistry, signage, and other applicable requirements. 

Step 7: Obtain Your License 

After all requirements have been met and the pre-operational inspection is approved, GCCHD will finalize the licensing process and coordinate issuance of the license. 

Pools, spas, splash pads, and other water features may not operate prior to receiving the required license. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Public swimming pools, spas, splash pads, and other regulated water features must be licensed prior to operation. 

Yes. All new swimming pools, spas, and other water features require plan review approval prior to construction. 

Plan review approval is also required for many modifications to existing facilities, including changes to filtration, circulation, disinfection, or other major system components. 

Plan review applications must be submitted to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Environmental Health and Food Safety Section (EHFS). Contact GCCHD or EHFS if you are unsure whether your project requires plan review approval. 

Plan review fees for swimming pools, spas, and other water features are established by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Environmental Health and Food Safety Section (EHFS). 

GCCHD does not charge a plan review fee for swimming pools and spas. For current plan review fees and fee calculations, please visit the EHFS Swimming Pools, Spas, and Other Water Features webpage. 

No. Swimming pools, spas, and other water features must receive all required approvals and be licensed prior to operation. A pre-operational inspection must be completed and approved before the facility may open to the public. 

VGBA documentation refers to records demonstrating compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA), a federal law intended to help prevent entrapment and drowning incidents associated with pool and spa drains. 

VGBA documentation typically includes information regarding the main drain cover manufacturer and model, installation date, life expectancy, replacement date, documentation showing the drain cover is VGBA compliant, and information regarding any secondary anti-entrapment systems. 

VGBA documentation must be maintained by the facility and provided to GCCHD prior to licensing and upon request during inspections.

Yes. All public swimming pools, spas, splash pads, and other licensed water features are required to have a contracted Certified Pool Operator (CPO). 

The CPO is responsible for providing technical guidance on pool and spa operations, water chemistry, equipment maintenance, and regulatory compliance. Documentation of the facility’s contracted CPO must be provided to GCCHD prior to licensing and maintained throughout operation. 

Drain covers must be replaced before the manufacturer’s stated expiration date and whenever they are no longer in good condition. 

Common reasons drain covers require replacement include an expired service life, cracks or damage, missing or damaged screws, significant deterioration or discoloration, or failure to meet VGBA requirements. 

Facility operators should routinely inspect drain covers and maintain documentation regarding installation dates, replacement schedules, and VGBA compliance. 

Yes. Facilities may develop their own water chemistry logs; however, the logs must be approved prior to use. 

State regulations require the use of approved water chemistry logs to ensure all required operational and water quality information is properly documented. 

GCCHD provides approved water chemistry log templates in the Handouts & Resources section for both facilities utilizing automated ORP systems and facilities utilizing non-automated systems. 

Water chemistry must be manually tested and recorded each day prior to opening the pool, spa, splash pad, or other water feature to the public. 

Facilities without an automated ORP system must test and record water chemistry at least every two hours during operation. Facilities utilizing an automated ORP system must test and record water chemistry at least every four hours during operation. 

Additional testing may be necessary following heavy bather loads, contamination events, equipment malfunctions, severe weather, or whenever water quality concerns are identified. 

Spas must be completely drained, cleaned, and refilled at least every seven days. 

Spas must also be drained whenever the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level exceeds 1,500 ppm above the TDS level of the source water used to fill the spa. 

Additional draining and cleaning may be necessary if water quality cannot be maintained, contamination occurs, or directed by GCCHD. 

Pool and spa operators are required to maintain records related to the operation and maintenance of the facility. At a minimum, facilities should maintain water chemistry logs, maintenance and equipment repair records, fecal contamination incident records, and records related to serious injuries or deaths associated with the facility. 

Records should be maintained on-site and made available to GCCHD upon request during inspections or investigations. Additional documentation, such as Certified Pool Operator (CPO) information, VGBA documentation, and other operational records, may also be required depending on the facility. 

All serious injuries and deaths associated with a public swimming pool, spa, splash pad, or other licensed water feature must be reported to GCCHD and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (MT DPHHS) within 48 hours. 

Following a serious injury or death, the facility may be required to close pending investigation. Prior to reopening, the facility must receive approval and a pre-operational inspection from GCCHD. 

Operators should preserve relevant records and information related to the incident and cooperate with any investigation conducted by GCCHD or MT DPHHS. 

No. Public swimming pools and spas are not required to provide a lifeguard. 

However, facilities without a lifeguard must post a clearly visible “No Lifeguard on Duty” sign. The lettering on the sign must be at least 4 inches high. 

Facility operators remain responsible for maintaining the pool or spa in a safe and sanitary condition and ensuring all required safety equipment and signage are provided. 

No. Pools, spas, splash pads, and other water features must maintain the required disinfectant residual prior to opening and while operating. 

Facilities must manually test water chemistry each day before opening to the public to verify that sanitizer levels and other required water quality parameters are within acceptable limits. 

If there is no measurable chlorine or bromine residual, the facility must remain closed until proper water chemistry has been restored and verified through testing. 

Public swimming pools, spas, splash pads, and other water features are required to post specific signage. Required signage varies depending on the type of facility and may include safety, operational, emergency, and warning signs. 

GCCHD has developed a signage handout that outlines the required signage and posting requirements for licensed facilities. Please refer to the Handouts & Resources section for the current signage guidance. 

Complaints and Concerns

Complaints may be submitted online, by email, by phone, or in person. 

When submitting a complaint, please provide as much information as possible, including the facility name, facility location, description of the concern, date and time the issue occurred, and your contact information (optional). 

Providing detailed information helps GCCHD evaluate and investigate the concern more efficiently. 

Yes. Anonymous complaints may be submitted; however, providing contact information may assist GCCHD if additional information is needed during the investigation. 

Pool and Spa Operator Toolbox

Applications & Licensing 

Required Documentation 

Operator Certifications & Guidance

Inspection Resources 

Water Quality & Operations 

Signage

Forms & Reporting 

Additional Resources 

  • EHFS Swimming Pool Program 
  • CDC Healthy Swimming Resources 

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Questions?

If you have questions regarding building, renovating, or operating a public swimming pool, spa, splash pad, or other water feature in Gallatin County, please contact the Gallatin City-County Health Department Environmental Health Division. 

Please note: Approval by the Gallatin City-County Health Department does not constitute approval under all other applicable federal, state, local, zoning, building, fire, business licensing, or land use requirements. Operators are responsible for obtaining all other required approvals and permits. 

Contact Us:

Call: 406-582-3120
Email: ehs@gallatin.mt.gov

Temporary Office Location:

400 E. Babcock Street, Bozeman