The Campgrounds and Pools Unit (CPU) within the Drinking Water and Environmental Health Section, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), has the responsibility for issuing construction permits for public swimming pools (including spas, leisure pools, activity pools, water slide pools, and lazy rivers). A construction permit must be obtained prior to any construction for a new public swimming pool or modification of an existing public swimming pool.

A. NAME OF PERMIT OR APPROVAL:

Public Swimming Pool Construction Permit

B. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

Sections 333.12525 to 333.12526, Public Health Code, Public Act 368 of 1978, as amended

C. APPLICABLE REGULATION:

Michigan Administrative Code, Rules Administered by MDEQ, WB

Public Swimming Pool (R325.2111 - 325.2199)

D. MICHIGAN BUSINESS ONE STOP:

The Michigan Business One Stop (One Stop) www.michigan.gov/business is a tool designed to allow businesses to interact with the State of Michigan. The tool offers:

• a set of screening questions based upon your business sector to identify permits, licenses and registrations that may be required to do business in Michigan.
• an option to pay fees online. For many programs, you can pay your business license fee in One Stop through use of an online form and shopping cart.
• many online permit applications and renewals. When starting a new business and registering in One Stop, you will need to identify a business sector (also known as a NAICS Code). You can find your code at www.naics.com, select "Code Search."  After entering this code in One Stop and answering some screening questions, links to relevant permit applications will automatically be available in your newly created workspace. One benefit of accessing applications through One Stop is that you will receive status messages throughout the application process.

Using the One Stop provides many benefits to businesses in Michigan. By conducting your business through One Stop you can organize your State of Michigan transactions in one place. If you ever need assistance with One Stop, then you can contact the Customer Assistance Center at 877-766-1779; they are open from 7 am to 6 pm. One Stop is a valuable tool that offers many benefits to business. We hope you give it a try.

E. SUMMARY OF PERMIT/APPROVAL PROCESS:

 1.  Applicability (activities that require the permit)

"Public swimming pool" means an artificial body of water used collectively by a number of individuals primarily for the purpose of swimming, wading, recreation, or instruction and includes related equipment, structures, areas, and enclosures intended for the use of individuals using or operating the swimming pool such as equipment, dressing, locker, shower, and toilet rooms. Public swimming pools include those which are for parks, schools, motels, camps, resorts, apartments, clubs, hotels, mobile home parks, subdivisions, waterparks, and the like. A pool or portable pool located on the same premises with a 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-family dwelling and for the benefit of the occupants and their guests, a natural bathing area such as a stream, lake, river, or man-made lake or pond that uses water from natural sources and has an inflow and outflow of natural water, an exhibitor's swimming pool built as a model at the site of the seller and in which swimming by the public is not permitted, or a pool serving not more than 4 hotel, motel, apartment, condominium, or similar units is not a public swimming pool. A construction permit is required for all new public swimming pools or modification of an existing public swimming pool.

 2.  Pre-Application Requirements

Prior to submitting the application, a set of plans and specifications must be prepared by an engineer or architect licensed in Michigan for the public swimming pool, the pool treatment equipment, the pool equipment room, bathhouse facilities, and the pool enclosure. The plans are usually prepared by an engineer or architect working with the pool contractor.

 3.  Application Submission Requirements

A public Swimming Pool Construction Permit application form (EQP 1733) must be submitted with the plans and specifications for approval.

 4.  Procedures and Time-Frame for Obtaining Permit or Approval

The plans and specifications are reviewed by CPU staff on a first-come first-served basis. A period of 5 weeks is typically required before the plans are reviewed especially during the busy periods in the spring and again in the fall of each year.

 5.  Operational Requirements

Each public swimming pool shall be constructed or modified in accordance with the approved plans and specifications unless written approval of a change is granted by the CPU. After construction is completed and prior to opening the pool for use, a license application must be submitted and the pool approved for operation through an inspection by staff of the CPU or a designated local health department representative.

 6.  Fees

The construction permit and initial licensing fees for public swimming pools are changed every three years in accordance with the Consume Price Index to adjust for inflation. The construction permit fee for a swimming pool is based on the surface area of the pool and ranges from approximately $600 to $2000. The construction permit fee for the modification of an existing pool is approximately $300. The current construction permit and licensing fees are posted on the program website.

 7.  Appeal Process

An applicant may request a contested case hearing under the Administrative Procedures Act, 1969 PA 306, as amended.

 8.  Public Input Opportunities

The public typically learns about the proposed development of a public swimming pool facility through newspaper notices posted by the local municipality under zoning and land use ordinances, and this venue provides the best opportunity for public input. The public may also offer comments to the DEQ regarding these proposals although there is no legislative mandate establishing a procedure for public comments.

F. ADMINISTERING AGENCY:

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Campgrounds and Pools Unit, 525 West Allegan Street, P.O. Box 30273, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7773

• Program Phone: 517-241-1353

• Program Webpage: www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_51087_3732---,00.html

• Environmental Assistance Center: 1-800-662-9278, e-mail: deq-ead-env-assist@michigan.gov

or

Contact the Customer Assistance Center

Creation/Revision Date:

October 2010