The Oregon Health Authority
Public Pool and Tourist Facility Program works in partnership with local health departments, the recreation and tourist industry and the public to reduce the risk of waterborne illness and injury at public facilities. The program provides technical assistance, training, and education; coordinates rulemaking; and oversees the field inspection system
Public Pool and Tourist Facility Program
OAR 333-060 and 333-062 - Aquatic Facility Rules Filed - 4/1/25
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Public Health Division, Public Pool Program repealed Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) in chapter 333, division 60, “Public Swimming Pools" and chapter 333, division 062, “Public Spa Pools," and adopted new rules in these divisions to reorganize and update rules relating to aquatic facility requirements. These OARs have been added onto and revised many times over the years and the program has decided to adopt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services, 2023 Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC), 4th Edition to bring Oregon's rules closer to the national standard for aquatic venue safety.
The goal of the reorganization was to update rule language to better address the public health concerns with modern aquatic venues as well as to group sections of related topics together so users can more easily find information based on their responsibilities at an aquatic venue. The original rules were separated by facility type with pools separated from spas. However, with this rule update, the rules include all types of aquatic venues (ex; pools, spas, splash pads) and instead separate the rule sets by activity (construction provisions and operational provisions). This will allow both industry and regulators to utilize the rules more efficiently and include a wider variety of pool types.
Most existing licensed aquatic venues will be able to continue to operate as licensed after the rule adoption with minimal impact.