Pools & Spas
If you operate a pool, hot tub, or float tank in Whatcom County, you’ll need to follow the Washington State rules for water recreation facilities and have a current annual operating permit issued by us.
- Each year you must apply for an annual operating permit, issued by us. Learn more about permit fees.
- If you’re remodeling or building a new pool, spa, or float tank, you must get approval from the Washington State Department of Health in addition to the necessary building permits.
- Report any injuries or illnesses to us within 48 hours. Call 360-778-6000 or email us.
We work to ensure that pools, spas, and other water recreation facilities are safe and healthy for public use. We regularly inspect facilities, investigate complaints and provide training for pool operators.
Permits & Inspections
Pools, spas, float tanks, water parks, wading pools, and other types of water recreation facilities must have an annual operating permit issued each year by the Whatcom County Health Department.
- Permits are non-transferrable. Any change in ownership or management requires a new permit.
- Start the process to apply for your annual operating permit.
- Submit plans to the Washington State Department of Health (WSDOH).
- After receiving written approval from WSDOH, submit a permit application to the Whatcom County Health Department.
- Schedule a pre-operational inspection by calling 360-778-6000.
Fees
Annual operating permit fees are available on our current permit application (PDF).
Pool & Spa Safety
Help prevent injuries by posting rules where they are easy to see. Use symbols and pictures for easy understanding. Get more information about signage requirements.
You must report any injuries or illnesses associated with your pool, spa, or other facilities to us within 48 hours. Call us at 360-778-6000 or email environmental health.
You can email injury or illness report forms to us.
- Use this Injury Report Form (PDF) to report any serious injury, near drowning, or death.
- Use this Illness Report Form (PDF) to report communicable diseases associated with your facility.
Dealing with contamination? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have fecal incident response guidelines that explain how to properly treat your pool after contamination (PDF).
- I was swimming in a pool and a day later I noticed I had a rash. What should I do?
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Contact your health care provider first and tell them that you developed a rash after swimming in a pool. They can evaluate the need for treatment to make you well. Contact our office and let us know the name of the pool. We will investigate the incident and attempt to determine the cause of the rash.
- I was swimming in a lake and developed what my neighbor called swimmer's itch. What should I do?
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Contact your health care provider for treatment. Contact our department to report when and where you went swimming.
- What is swimmer's itch?
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Swimmers itch usually refers to a rash caused by a little parasite that burrows under your skin and dies. To avoid the rash, you should shower immediately after leaving the water and towel dry and put on some dry clothes. Try to remove little water droplets before they dry on your skin. The little parasite lives in the water and can survive in a water droplet long enough to burrow under your skin.
- Why do hotels always have a big fence and gate around their pool?
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Unintentional drowning remains a leading cause of death for small children. The fence and gate keep the unattended small children away from the pool.
- I went swimming and the water was so cloudy I could not see the bottom of the pool. Is this a problem?
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Yes, not being able to detect distressed or drowning bathers is always a cause for alarm. Additionally, poor water clarity is often a result of poor filtration, poor disinfection, poor water balance, slow turnover rates, and over-saturation of chemical stabilizer. Report this immediately to the pool facility's person in charge, and then call our office. Washington state law requires pool closure in such situations until correction of this issue.
- What is the age limit for bathers to swim alone in a limited use pool?
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Only adults (18+) can swim alone in a limited use pool facility. If a child 12 years of age or less is using the pool, a responsible adult 18 years or older must accompany the child, and be at the pool deck at all times the child uses the facility. If an individual between 13 years-old and 17 years-old is using the pool, at least one other person (13-17 year old) must be at the pool facility.