Aquatic Facility and Pool Permits and Inspections in Alexandria
Alexandria Health Department inspects and permits about 150 public aquatic facilities including pools, spas, water parks, and fountains. These can be found in recreation centers, apartment communities, condo associations, hotels and motels, gyms, and amusement parks.
Requirements
To operate an aquatic facility in Alexandria, operators must have:
- An approved plan review
- An approved permit (renewed each season)
- An active pool management company license (renewed each season)
- Passed an opening or re-opening inspection (each season)
- An approved licensed pool operator on duty.
Owners & Operators - Get Help
Owners and operators with questions should follow the directions detailed on this page. The following resources may also help:
Or, contact AHD for support at 703.746.4910.
Apply for a Permit
To apply or renew your health permit, please submit the following to Alexandria Health Department
- A completed Establishment Permit Application
- A check or money order for your establishment's permit fee. (see details below)
- Any additional forms explained in the permit application.
In addition to a permit, you must also renew your Pool Management Company License each year.
You will also have to pass an opening inspection each season. For existing establishments, renewed permits will be mailed to you.
Apply for a Plan Review
A plan review is when the Alexandria Health Department checks your plans to make sure your aquatic facility meets health and safety rules.
You need a plan review if you:
- Are building a new aquatic establishment
- Are remodeling, replacing equipment, or making big changes to your services (reviewed case by case)
- An aquatic facility is installed or present somewhere there is also a bed-and-breakfast or childcare facility.
How to Submit Your Plans
*Please note: Plan Review requirements at Alexandria Health Department are very different from those in neighboring cities. We highly encourage you to contact AHD's Environmental Health Division before you submit your plans*
Before bringing plans to Alexandria Health Department:
- Submit them to the Permit Center, currently operating on the second floor at 4850 Mark Center Drive.
- Plans must be neat, easy to read, and drawn to scale
Then, send them to AHD and include:
- A completed Plan Review Application with a permit number from the Permit Processing Center (apply online at the Online Permit Center)
- Equipment details
- The Health Department plan review fee.
Plan Review Timeline
If your submission is complete, we will approve or reject it within 10 business days. If plans are rejected, the 10-day timeline starts over when you submit revisions
Plan approval does NOT mean you can open—you still need a permit, a pre-opening inspection, and an active pool management company license.
Apply for a Pool Management License
To operate an aquatic facility, the operator must be a licensed pool management company. To receive a license, operators must submit the following to Alexandria Health Department.
- A Pool Management Company License Application (renewed once a year)
- A fee (see details below).
Many aquatic venues use third-party operators. These companies must hold an active city license and employ at least one licensed pool operator on-site while open.
Licensed Pool Operators
Requirements
If an aquatic facility is operating, at least one licensed pool operator must be present. A licensed pool operator must:
- Be sixteen (16) years of age or older
- Be certified from an approved vendor:
- NPC Contracting Inc.
- National Recreation and Park Association's Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO)
- National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF)
- Swimming Pool and Spa Association (SPSA)
- Pool operator certifications from any other vendor will not be accepted. Additional information regarding pool operator requirements can be found here.
- Pass an approved operator exam within the last three years
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge on health and safety standards.
Aquatic Health Code
All Alexandria aquatic facilities are reviewed, permitted, and inspected using the following health codes and regulations:
Pay Fees for Permits, Plans, and License Applications
We collect fees for applications, plan reviews, re-inspections, and late payments. Different establishment types have different fees which are all listed in the Fee Schedule.
- Fees marked with C go to the City of Alexandria.
- Fees marked with S go to the Virginia Department of Health.
All fees are non-refundable. Returned checks may have an extra fee.
How to Pay
You can pay:
- In person at our office
- By mail (no cash) to:
- Alexandria Health Department - Environmental Health Division, 4850 Mark Center Drive, 4th Floor, Alexandria, VA 22311
Payment options:
- Our preferred method is check or money order.
- Cash is only accepted in person and must be exact change.
- We cannot accept starter checks (often used by new businesses).
Who to make checks payable to:
- For fees marked S: Pay to Alexandria Health Department.
- For fees marked C: Pay to City of Alexandria.
Credit cards can only be used for fees marked S.
Staying Safe at the Pool
Heading to the pool is a great way to spend the summer in Alexandria! Don’t let accidents and illness ruin a pool day. No matter what level of swimmer you or your loved ones are, follow the tips below for safe, healthy swimming.