Chapter 53 of the 2026 Acts of Assembly amended the Code of Virginia (§ 32.1-248.1) related to public pools and other public aquatic facilities.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is collaborating with a stakeholder workgroup. Together, VDH and the workgroup will develop new regulations that align with the Code of Virginia. This workgroup includes owners, operators, and people interested in public aquatic facilities.
Public aquatic facilities include:
- swimming pools,
- wading pools,
- wave pools,
- surf pools,
- lazy rivers,
- hot tubs,
- therapy pools,
- splash pads,
- aquatic facilities owned by apartments, condos, private clubs, or associations, and
- other public aquatic facilities.
The change in law does not apply to individual single-family backyard pools at private homes. The change in law does not apply to natural waters, such as lakes, rivers, or the ocean.
Information about the rule‑making process will be posted on the Virginia Town Hall website. You can also check back here for updates as they become available.
Updates
VDH is working with the workgroup to help write new rules that follow the 2026 law and updated sections of the Code of Virginia.