SWIMMING POOLS

Memphis Code of Ordinances tit. 9, ch. 9-92

in effect

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-1 Definitions.

Sec. 9-92-1. - Definitions. A. The term "public swimming pool," as used in this chapter, means any body of water used for public or semipublic swimming or recreative bathing, which is of artificial or semiartificial construction, including all appurtenances concerning its use, whether operated for the public in general or for a portion of the public, as members of clubs, associations or other organizations. B. Other terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings usually accorded to them by the health department of this and other cities regulating swimming pools. (Code 1967, § 31-78; Code 1985, § 16-426)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-2 Permit.

Sec. 9-92-2. - Permit. A. No person shall operate or maintain a public swimming pool until a permit therefor has been issued by the health department, which permit shall not be valid for longer than one year. A new permit shall be secured at the first of each year or season of operation. All permits shall be in writing and shall state the conditions under which operation shall be maintained and the term for which the permit is allowed. B. Before a permit is issued by the health department, an annual permit fee of $150.00 shall be paid to the city and county health department. Such fee shall be due on January 1 of each calendar year and shall be paid by January 31. C. Any permit granted by the health department under the provisions of this section may be revoked by the health department, acting through the health officer, for failure to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter, or whenever, in the opinion of the health officer the further operation under such permit becomes a menace to the health and safety of bathers; provided that, the holder of any permit which has been revoked, feeling aggrieved at the action of the health officer, shall have the right to appeal to the city council and have tried before the council the question of the legality or reasonableness of the action of the health officer. No such appeal shall entitle the continued operation of the pool pending the action of the city council. (Code 1967, § 31-79; Code 1985, § 16-427; Ord. No. 350, § 1, 12-31-1968; Ord. No. 2956, § 1(1), (2), 12-11-1979)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-3 Approval of plans and specifications.

Sec. 9-92-3. - Approval of plans and specifications. No person shall begin construction of a public swimming pool or substantially alter or reconstruct any such swimming pool, unless plans and specifications therefor have been submitted to and approved by the health department. Such plans and specifications shall be accompanied by supporting data, such as shop drawings of equipment, fittings, skimmers, filters, disinfectant feeders, pump rating curves, etc. The plans shall be prepared by an architect or engineer licensed to practice in the state. (Code 1967, § 31-80; Code 1985, § 16-428)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-4 Design of pool area.

Sec. 9-92-4. - Design of pool area. Each public swimming pool area shall be designed in such a manner as to permit the installation of all equipment necessary for the proper operation of same, and so as to give the proper routing and segregation of bathers and spectators. (Code 1967, § 31-81; Code 1985, § 16-429)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-5 Water requirements generally—Recirculation system.

Sec. 9-92-5. - Water requirements generally—Recirculation system. A. No natural body of water which contains sewage or other waste, rendering it dangerous to public health, shall be used as a public swimming pool. B. Every public swimming pool shall be provided with a sufficient quantity of fresh water which meets the drinking water standards of the health department as to physical, bacteriological and chemical quality. The water shall show an alkaline reaction all times when the pool is in use. Frequent tests shall be made to insure the water having an alkaline reaction. At all times when the pool is in use, the water shall be sufficiently clear to permit the entire bottom of the pool to be clearly visible from the walkways. C. A complete recirculating system for swimming pools consists of circulating pumps, chemical dosing equipment (alum and soda ash) or surge tank, float valve control on water supply, pump strainer, chlorinator, brominator, flow meters, pressure gauges, piping connections to inlets and outlets. (Code 1967, § 31-82; Code 1985, § 16-430)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-6 Disinfecting agent.

Sec. 9-92-6. - Disinfecting agent. Some means of disinfecting the water in a public swimming pool shall be used which provides a residual of a disinfecting agent in the pool water. (Code 1967, § 31-83; Code 1985, § 16-431)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-7 Gaseous chlorine equipment.

Sec. 9-92-7. - Gaseous chlorine equipment. Where gaseous chlorine equipment is provided in a filter room at a public swimming pool, or in any part of a building which provides housing, the mechanical proportioning and cylinders of chlorine shall be housed in a reasonably gas-tight corrosion-resistant and mechanically vented enclosure. (Code 1967, § 31-84; Code 1985, § 16-432)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-8 Dressing rooms—Maintenance of premises.

Sec. 9-92-8. - Dressing rooms—Maintenance of premises. All public swimming pools shall be provided with dressing rooms which shall be so constructed and maintained that they will be clean and in a sanitary condition at all times. The buildings and grounds shall be kept free from garbage, trash and other refuse. (Code 1967, § 31-85; Code 1985, § 16-433)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-9 Toilet facilities.

Sec. 9-92-9. - Toilet facilities. All public swimming pools shall be provided with a sanitary method of excreta disposal, including one or more separate toilets for each sex, and their number and location will be determined by the health department. (Code 1967, § 31-86; Code 1985, § 16-434)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-10 Lighting system.

Sec. 9-92-10. - Lighting system. A complete system of artificial lighting conforming to Article 680 of the National Electric Code 1981 shall be provided for all indoor public swimming pools and for all public swimming pools which are to be used at night. (Code 1967, § 31-87; Code 1985, § 16-435)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-11 Drinking water.

Sec. 9-92-11. - Drinking water. Drinking water furnished at any public swimming pool shall be of a quality approved by the health department and shall be made available by means of sanitary drinking fountains. The use of common drinking cups is forbidden. (Code 1967, § 31-88; Code 1985, § 16-436)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-12 Safety of bathers generally.

Sec. 9-92-12. - Safety of bathers generally. All reasonable precautions shall be taken at public swimming pools to protect the bathers from injury or accident. Convenient means of ingress and egress shall be provided. The various depths of the water and any irregularities of the bottom shall be clearly indicated on both sides of the pool. Safety appliances such as life buoys, life hooks, bamboo poles or ropes, and equipment, including first aid kits, shall be provided and be readily accessible. (Code 1967, § 31-89; Code 1985, § 16-437)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-13 Attendants.

Sec. 9-92-13. - Attendants. A sufficient number of attendants shall be on duty when a public swimming pool is in use. Such attendants shall be capable swimmers competent in life saving methods and trained in methods of artificial resuscitation. (Code 1967, § 31-90; Code 1985, § 16-438)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-14 Diseased persons not to use pool—Spitting and spouting water prohibited.

Sec. 9-92-14. - Diseased persons not to use pool—Spitting and spouting water prohibited. No person having any skin eruptions or abrasions, sore or infected eyes, cold, nasal or ear discharge, or any communicable disease shall be permitted to use any public swimming pool. Spitting, spouting of water, or blowing the nose in the pool shall strictly prohibited. Suitable placards embodying such personal regulations and instructions shall be conspicuously posted. (Code 1967, § 31-91; Code 1985, § 16-439)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-15 Common use of suits and towels.

Sec. 9-92-15. - Common use of suits and towels. Suits and towels for common use at a public swimming pool shall be thoroughly laundered and dried after each usage in such manner as to meet the requirements of the health department. (Code 1967, § 31-92; Code 1985, § 16-440)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-16 Records and reports.

Sec. 9-92-16. - Records and reports. Such records concerning the operation of a public swimming pool shall be kept as may be required by the health department reports shall be submitted to the health department as required. (Code 1967, § 31-93; Code 1985, § 16-441)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-17 Rules and regulations of health department.

Sec. 9-92-17. - Rules and regulations of health department. The health department shall make such rules and regulations as may be necessary in its judgment to meet the requirements of public swimming pool sanitation, and to preserve the safety and health of the bathers. Such rules and regulations, when adopted by the health department, shall be printed and copies thereof delivered to all operators of public swimming pools and to such other persons as may request the same. When such rules have been duly adopted and printed, they shall constitute a part of the requirements imposed upon operators of public pools by this chapter, and for any violation of such rules and regulations or any failure to comply therewith, any permit to operate may be revoked by the health officer under the provisions of section 9-92-2. (Code 1967, § 31-94; Code 1985, § 16-442)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-92-18 Publication of grades of sanitary condition.

Sec. 9-92-18. - Publication of grades of sanitary condition. The health department may, from time to time, publish grades of the sanitary condition of public swimming pools. (Code 1967, § 31-95; Code 1985, § 16-443)

Source: City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT9HESA_CH9-92SWPOFetched: 10/28/2026