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Water Recreation Facility Rules and Guidelines

Current Washington State Rules

Most of these rules pertain to the construction and maintenance of regulated recreational water facilities such as swimming pools, spas, water parks, and wading pools. Regulated facilities include pools at athletic or private clubs, municipal or park facilities, hotels, motels, apartments, condominiums, mobile home parks, RV parks, and homeowner association communities. Single-family homes are not regulated by these rules, but must follow city or county building code requirements.

• Water Recreation Facilities, Chapter 246-260 WAC

  • Print Friendly Easier to Read Version of 246-260 WAC (PDF 702KB)

• Recreational Water Contact Facilities, Chapter 246-262 WAC

  • Print Friendly Easier to Read Version of 246-262 WAC (PDF 655KB)

Guidelines for the Virginia Graeme Baker Act and State Rules

• Pool Main Drain Safety - Guidance for Complying with the New Federal Law (PDF 690KB)
  What every regulated pool owner, operator, builder, and designer needs to know to comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

• Single Main Drains - Guidelines for Pools (PDF 525KB)
  Revised guidelines to meet state and new federal requirements. Entrapment accidents can be prevented by applying current design standards.

• Determining When Pool Plan Review is Required by the Health Department (PDF 163KB)
  Plan review guidance to comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. 

• Selecting Drain Covers and Entrapment Prevention Equipment (PDF 287KB)
  Guidelines on selecting drain covers and other equipment to comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

• Compliance Verification Form (PDF 412KB)
  Form to aid pool owners, designers, and builders verify compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

• Variance Request Form (PDF 328KB)
  Guidance and form to aid pool owners and local health jurisdictions in processing a variance of Chapter 246-260 WAC related to compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

Barrier Guidelines

• Barrier Design - Guidelines for Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, and Spas (PDF 614KB)
  Preventing unauthorized people from gaining access to pools and spas is a key component in drowning prevention.

Pool Operator and Builder Resources

• Pool facility owners and operators

• Pool facility designers and builders

State Rules Updated

To address differences between state rules and the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, our state's water recreation facility rules have been amended, effective November 5, 2010.

View common questions (PDF 135KB) pool owners and builders are asking to ensure they comply with the updated water recreation facility rules.

New - CPSC Ruling Reversed on Single Unblockable Drains 

Single Unblockable Drain Ruling (PDF 144KB)

Pool Drain Cover Recall

Recall: Pool Main Drain Covers (PDF 133KB)

Local Health Agency Training 

Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act training materials:

Compliance Guide Brochure (PDF 1.5MB)

Online Training Course Resource Guide (PDF 4.5MB)