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Swimming Pools & Spa Safety

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is committed to safeguarding people on land and in the water. Houston's humid, subtropical climate means warm weather for much of the year, drawing thousands of people to its pools, beaches, rivers, and lakes from March through October. Unfortunately, a single misstep can turn a day of fun into tragedy--whether from drowning, injuries, exposure to germs, or other accidents.

Recognizing the importance of public safety, the Harris County Commissioners Court granted HCPH the authority to proactively permit and inspect public pools, spas, public interactive water features, and artificial swimming lagoons in unincorporated areas of Harris County. Previously, HCPH was only responsible for conducting inspections by complaint only.

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Permits and Inspections

In January 2017, the Harris County Commissioner's Court approved the implementation of the Rules for Regulation of Swimming Pools and Spas in Unincorporated Areas of Harris County.

As of January 2025, Harris County Commissioner’s Court approved an updated Rules for Regulation of Swimming Pools, Spas, Interactive Water Features, and Artificial Swimming Lagoons in the Unincorporated Areas of Harris County.

According to the CDC, in 2008, on average 12.1% of inspected pools identified serious violations that threatened the public's health and resulted in immediate pool closure. In 2013, the number increased to 12.5%.

According to inspection findings collected by the CDC in 2013, the following key facts were observed:

  • Most inspections of public aquatic venues (almost 80 percent) identified at least one violation.
  • 1 in 8 inspections resulted in immediate closure because of serious health and safety violations.
  • 1 in 5 kiddie/wading pools were closed—the highest proportion of closures among all inspected venues.
  • The most common violations reported were related to improper pH (15 percent), safety equipment (13 percent), and disinfectant concentration (12 percent).

For Harris County, a total of 160 (21%) of 769 inspections identified serious violations that threatened the public's health and resulted in immediate pool closure.

The reasons for closure included:

  • Disinfectant level below the minimums set by the Texas Department of State Health Services
  • pH below 7.0 or above 7.8,
  • Inability to see main drain, if applicable (poor visibility),
  • Chlorine levels below 1.0 ppm or above 8 ppm; or
  • Any other imminent health hazards.

The mission of the swimming pool and spa program is to assure public health and safety of the public at swimming pools, spas, artificial swimming lagoons, interactive water features and fountains by inspecting, permitting and providing for citizen complaint investigations. A public pool, spa or interactive water features and fountains shall be closed if any of the following conditions occur:

Permit regulations:

The owner of any property within the unincorporated areas of the county, including areas in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality, must have a separate valid permit issued by PHS for each "pool", "interactive water features and fountains”, or “artificial swimming lagoons” on their property. The permit will be valid for one (1) year. Permits are not transferable. Only an owner who complies with the requirements of state law and regulations and these Rules shall be entitled to a permit.

Permits must be applied for within 180 days after the date of recorded regulation or within 30 days after permit notice by PHS. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an owner shall not be in violation of these regulations if the owner has not applied for or received a permit prior to 180 days after the date of recorded regulation or within 30 days after permit notice by PHS.

For additional information, please visit the Texas Department of State Health Services Laws and Rules for Public Swimming Pools and Spas.

If a commercial pool is found to have issues and follow-up inspections are required to ensure the pool does not pose a public health hazard, you can now pay for additional fees online:

Swimming Pool, Spa, Artificial Swimming Lagoon Permit Fee Schedule
Permit (Swimming Pool/Spa) per separate filter
$131.25
Permit (Artificial Swimming Lagoon)
$131.25
Permit (Interactive Water Features and Fountains)
$131.25
1st Re-Inspection Fee
$210
2nd Re-Inspection Fee
$367.50
3rd Re-Inspection Fee
$525
Facility Plan Review Fee
$131.25
Nonactive Pool Surveillance Fee
$78.75
Plan Review Re-Inspection Fee
$52.50
Change of Ownership Fee
$131.25
Change of Ownership Re-Inspection Fee
$52.50
Duplicate or Replacement Permit
$42
Pool Training Class
$52.50


For more information on inspections and how to obtain a pool permit, please call 713.274.6300.

Clean, Healthy Pool/Spa Water

We all share the water we swim in. Swimmers should take simple steps to protect themselves, their friends and their family from germs when planning to jump or dive in to a pool, lake, spa or ocean.

Six Signs You Should Look For Before Jumping In

  1. Pools need constant attention: monitoring the chemicals is crucial to a healthy pool. If it appears the pool attendant is consistently distracted, the pool’s chlorine level may be compromised and you could come in contact with bad bugs like norovirus, which can cause vomiting and cramps.
  2. If the pool water isn’t sparkling and clear, avoid it. Lack of visibility poses a huge threat – no one can see if you went under. 
  3. While babies are adorable, pre-potty-trained babies can easily contaminate an entire pool with diaper leakage. 
  4. If you see a distinct green-colored film floating on a lake’s surface, there may be algae you can’t see. Don’t take the plunge and don't let your pet jump in either. 
  5. If you see a line of foam, seaweed, or other debris pulled in the opposite direction (out into the ocean) there could be a riptide offshore. Even a strong swimmer is no match for those kind of runaway currents. 
  6. A crowded pool multiplies the bacteria, germs and viruses that are in the water. Wait and jump in later.
A major health issue: Diarrhea 

The pool is the last place you should be if you are sick with diarrhea. Most swimming-related outbreaks reported to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are caused by diarrheal germs like Crypto (short for Cryptosporidium), Giardia, Shigella, norovirus, and E. coli O157:H7. Crypto outbreaks linked to swimming are increasing and are particularly hard to control because the germ is not easily killed by chlorine. 

Just one diarrheal incident in the water can release millions of germs. If someone swallows a mouthful of the water, it can cause diarrhea lasting up to three weeks. That’s why it’s so important not to swim or let your kids swim if sick with diarrhea.  

Top Five Pool/Spa Safety Tips

  1. Stay out of the water if you or your child is sick with diarrhea or have an open wound.
  2. Don’t drink the water. Tell your children not to drink the water. 
  3. Shower before you get in the water. Rinsing off in the shower for just a minute helps get rid of any germs that may be on your body. 
  4. Take your children on bathroom breaks every hour.
  5. Check diapers and change them in a bathroom or diaper-changing area (not poolside) to keep germs away from the pool.

For more information about Harris County Public Health’s Swimming Pool and Spa Program, call 713.274.6300.