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The Sacramento County Recreational Health Program is responsible for the enforcement of State and Local health codes at all public, commercial and multi-family residence Pools and Spas in Sacramento County (including all incorporated cities.)
Swimming pools can be a source of diseases like Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Pseudomonas as well as injuries such as slips, falls, accidental entrapment and drowning, if not properly monitored. To ensure compliance with state and local health and safety codes, the Environmental Management Department (EMD) conducts annual inspections at approximately 2,200 public pools, spas, spray grounds and water parks throughout Sacramento County (including all incorporated cities). For the most current pool and spa inspection reports, visit our Pool Inspections On-Line page.
“Public” pools, spas, water parks and spray grounds are required to maintain a health permit through EMD. A new permit must be obtained anytime a public pool, spa, spray ground or water park feature is built or anytime an ownership change occurs.
A pool, spa, water park or spray ground is considered “public” when operated for the use of the general public with or without charge, or for the use of the members and guests of a private club, including any swimming pool located on the grounds of a hotel, motel, inn, an apartment complex, or any residential setting other than a single-family home. It does not include individual therapeutic tubs or baths where the main purpose is the cleaning of the body. Section 3102B CA Building Code 2013
To apply for a permit or find out more information, please contact EMD at (916) 875-8440.
The Recreational Health Program is also responsible for review and approval of plans for both new construction and remodel of existing public pools, spas, spray grounds, and water park features. Plans must be reviewed to ensure that equipment is appropriately sized and designed to maintain safe and healthy recreational water, free of hazards. For construction or remodel of a public pool, spa, spray ground, or water park, please see the EMD Plan Review Page.
EMD's Pool and Spa Program responds to public pool/spa complaints:
If someone suspects they got sick from swimming in a
public pool or there are unsafe conditions with the pool/spa, the public can
call Sacramento County 311 Connect at 916-875-4311 or 311 to file a
complaint. Complaints should be reported as soon as possible so that a thorough
investigation can be completed in a timely manner. When reporting a complaint
have the name of the facility where the pool is located and a street address.
Public Workshops and Outreach
In addition to our inspection and plan review activities, EMD sponsors free workshops for Public Swimming Pool Owners, Operators and Service people through the summer pool season. These half day classroom presentations cover all aspects of the commercial pool inspection. Pool Operator Workshop Flyer 2024
Information about Swimming at Rivers, Lakes and Streams
Visit Safe Practices Swimming for links to current monitoring data and information about safe practices when swimming in rivers, lakes and streams.
Seventy-one (71%) of drownings happen in residential settings according to the 2020 data by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). To get information and materials and to learn how we can stop drownings, go to https://www.poolsafely.gov/.
Sacramento County
Environmental Management Department
Environmental Health Division
11080 White Rock Rd., Suite 200
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
916-875-8440
916-875-8513 (fax)
emdinfo@saccounty.net
