Swimming Pools
The Houston Health Department's pool safety program works to eliminate dangerous situations that occur when pools and other aquatic facilities are not kept up to standard safety protocols.
Pool safety investigators inspect commercial pools such as those at hotels, motels, and apartment buildings. They will also inspect residential pools when asked by owners. The program’s goal is not only to make sure the pool is up to standard, but to also educate the managers of the facilities in high standards of pool safety.
Special Notice: New pool rules (effective January 1, 2021)
The Houston Health Department wants to ensure the health and safety of residents, and we will continue this message by providing guidance for steps to reopening swimming pools.
We have included multiple links below that provide guidance for your facilities and information that will assist with measuring the area of your pool for maximum number of users.
Special Notice: (effective February 1st, 2024)
Please be advised that all pools and spas shall be maintained under the supervision and direction of a properly trained and certified operator. This includes being able to provide the volume of the pool or spa to the inspector to confirm pool turnover times. Working flow rate measuring devices (flowmeters) are necessary to calculate turnover times. Pools shall turnover in 6 hours or less, spas in 30 minutes or less, and wading pools in 1 hour or less. Pre 1999 pools shall turnover in 8 hours or less. Turnover time = (Volume ÷ Flow Rate) ÷ 60. Enforcement action will occur at the next routine inspection if not in compliance.
TAC Code: 25 TAC, §265.184(0)(2)
Maximum Number of Users in Pool at Any Time
Operator would measure the area of the shallow area which can go up to 5 ft. and divide it by 15. If there is a deep area (deeper than 5 ft.), the area would be divided by 25.
Maximum Numbers of Users in Class A Pools Not Being Used for Competitive Events and Class B and Class C Pools and Spas.
- Pools with minimum deck area
- Shallow or wading areas: 15 sq. f.t per user
- Deep area (not including diving area: 20 sq. ft. per user
- Diving area (per each diving board): 300 sq. ft.
- Pools with deck areas equal to water surface area
- Shallow or wading areas: 12 sq. ft. per user
- Deep area (not including diving area): 15 sq. ft. per user
- Diving area (per each diving board): 300 sq. ft.
- Pools with deck area at least twice water surface area
- Shallow or wading areas: 8 sq. ft. per user
- Deep area (not including diving area): 10 sq. ft. per user
- Diving area (per each diving board): 300 sq. ft.
- Maximum number of users in spas, wade pools, and wade pools with paws
- Shallow or wading areas: 8 sq. ft. per user
- Deep area (not including diving area: NA
- Diving area (per each diving board): NA