For public pools in these cities contact the city instead of the county.
Bloomington
952-563-8934
Brooklyn Park
763-493-8070
Edina
952-826-0377
Minneapolis
612-673-3000
Minnetonka
952-939-8200
Richfield
612-861-9870
Wayzata
952-404-5300
Public swimming pool licensing
All indoor and outdoor public swimming pools and spas must be licensed.
Private swimming pools and natural swimming areas do not require a license.
Building, installing or substantially altering a public pool requires formal review.
Open all
Open all
Required annual inspection before opening
All public swimming pools must pass an inspection before opening for the season. Outdoor opening inspections will begin on a limited basis starting April 1, 2024.
To prepare for and schedule an inspection:
- Pay your license fee
- With your fee, submit the completed licensing paperwork and copy of your pool operator certificate (i.e., CPO, AFO, etc.)
- Review and complete the items on the outdoor pool checklist (PDF, 1MB)
- To schedule an inspection call 612-543-5200
Forms
- Outdoor pool checklist (PDF, 1MB)
- Pool chemistry requirements (PDF, 1MB)
- Pool log (PDF, 1MB)
- Pool sign requirements (PDF, 1MB)
- Turnover calculations (PDF, 1MB)
- Pool management change form (PDF, 1MB)
Resources
- Minnesota Pool Code
- Public swimming pool resource – Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
- Legionellosis (Legionella) information for hot tub owners and operators – MDH
- Operating public hot tubs/spas – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Disinfection of hot tubs that contain Legionella – CDC
- Animals in public pools (PDF, 1MB) – MDH
Training
When to call Hennepin County Environmental Health
- Pool-related death or serious injury requiring emergency medical assistance (such as drowning or chemical exposure) Minnesota Department of Health injury/drowning report form (PDF, 1MB)
- Pool employee or customer diagnosed with a waterborne illness (such as Cryptosporidiosis, norovirus, Shigella, or E. coli O157:H7)
- Major damage to pool area or pump room (such as from a tornado, flood or storm)
- Before doing any remodeling or additions to the pool, bathrooms/locker rooms, decking, fencing, gates/doors, or equipment. Many times this requires a plan review and approval from the health department.
For daytime, call 612-543-5200.
For after-hours emergencies only, call 612-543-5217.
To build or renovate a public pool you must have the plan reviewed and approved prior to starting work.
Some renovations fall under the review of Hennepin County.
Complete the pool plan remodel application (PDF, 1MB)
New construction and extensive renovations fall under the review of the State of Minnesota. Contact the Minnesota Department of Health public swimming pool division.
Drain cover recall
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of product
Pool and spa drain covers
Units
About 1 million
Manufacturers
- A&A Manufacturing, of Phoenix, AZ
- AquaStar Pool Products Inc., of San Diego, CA
- Color Match Pool Fittings, of Surprise, AZ
- Custom Molded Products, of Tyrone, GA
- Hayward Pool Products, of Elizabeth, NJ
- Pentair Water Pool and Spa, of Sanford, NC
- Rising Dragon USA, of E. Sweetwater, TN
- Waterway Plastics, of Oxnard, CA
Hazard
The recalled drain covers were incorrectly rated to handle the flow of water through the cover, which could pose a possible entrapment hazard to swimmers and bathers.