Omaha Municipal Code § 54-31 Scope of article.
Sec. 54-31. - Scope of article.
The provisions of this article shall apply to all public or commercial swimming pools within the jurisdiction of the city.
(Code 1980, § 54-31)
GENERALLY
Omaha Municipal Code ch. 54, art. II, div. 1
in effectOmaha Municipal Code § 54-32 Adoption of rules and regulations.
Sec. 54-32. - Adoption of rules and regulations.
The DCHD is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations for the construction, operation and maintenance of public or commercial swimming pools for the protection and promotion of the public health, safety, morals and welfare.
(Code 1980, § 54-32; Ord. No. 37382, § 7, 5-23-06)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-33 Compliance with applicable regulations.
Sec. 54-33. - Compliance with applicable regulations.
It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct, operate, maintain or manage any public or commercial swimming pool without complying with all applicable provisions of this Code, state law, HHHS regulations and city ordinances, rules and regulations.
(Code 1980, § 54-33; Ord. No. 37382, § 8, 5-23-06)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-34 Classification.
Sec. 54-34. - Classification.
Public and/or commercial pools shall be classified as follows:
(a) Class A: Pools operated by a municipality, political subdivision, or governmental agency, or a pool intended for use for accredited competitive aquatic events such as Federation Internationale de Natation, U.S. Swimming, U.S. Diving, National Collegiate Athletic Association, National Federation of State High School Association, etc.
(b) Class B: Pools operated at a facility including, but not limited to, an apartment, a condominium, a property owner association, a child care facility, a health club, lodgings such as hotels and motels.
(c) Class C: Special use pools; spas; any pool operated for medical treatment, water therapy or similar functions, including but not limited to whirlpool baths or cold plunges.
(d) Class D: Wading pools; any pool used for swimming or wading which is less than 24 inches deep.
(Code 1980, § 54-34; Ord. No. 33770, § 4, 12-19-95; Ord. No. 34366, § 1, 11-18-97; Ord. No. 37382, § 9, 5-23-06)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-35 Enclosure of pool.
Sec. 54-35. - Enclosure of pool.
(a) All pools shall be fenced, enclosed, located or constructed in such a manner as to prohibit unauthorized use of the facility, whether or not a lifeguard or attendant is on duty, and to prohibit use when the facility is closed or not in use.
(b) Every outdoor public and/or commercial swimming pool shall be completely surrounded by a primary enclosure, which shall consist of a fence or wall not less than six feet in height. Fence openings shall be small enough that a four-inch diameter sphere is not able to pass through. Horizontal fencing which provides hand or foot holds for climbing shall not be permitted. A dwelling or accessory building may be used as part of the enclosure. All doors and gates shall be self-closing and self-latching, and capable of being locked. Self-latching mechanisms shall be located at least 45 inches above grade level.
(c) All public swimming pools with a deck area available for other uses outside of the immediate pool area shall be enclosed with a secondary enclosure or separation between the bather and visitor/spectator areas. The secondary enclosure or separation can be a fence, wall or other effective barrier to prevent entry into the pool when it is closed. This barrier shall be at least three feet in height, with self-closing and self-latching gates which are capable of being locked.
(d) The secondary enclosure or separation between the bather and visitor/spectator areas shall be installed so as to provide a minimum eight-foot deck area around the entire pool perimeter, between the edge or lip of the pool and the barrier. Non-class A indoor commercial pools may elect to submit plans for decks which are less than eight-feet wide. Approval for such decks shall be contingent upon approval from both the State and Local Health Department jurisdictions and based on the current Ten-State Standards.
(e) The deck area between the edge of the pool and the secondary enclosure or the bather-visitor/spectator area shall be considered the immediate pool area and shall be for bather use only.
(f) An establishment may choose to provide a primary enclosure only. If this option is used, the total deck area between the edge of the pool and the enclosure shall be used by bathers only, however, an unobstructed area of at least eight feet shall be maintained around the perimeter of the pool except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) for non-class A indoor commercial pools.
(Code 1980, § 54-35; Ord. No. 33770, § 5, 12-19-95; Ord. No. 37382, § 10, 5-23-06)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-36 Wading pools.
Sec. 54-36. - Wading pools.
All wading pools shall be physically separated from adjoining swimming pools or facilities. The separation shall be at least three feet in height, with self-closing and self-latching gates which are capable of being locked. No openings in the wading pool enclosure shall exceed a four-inch diameter sphere. When a wading pool is adjacent to a swimming pool, it shall be near the shallow end of the pool.
(Code 1980, § 54-36; Ord. No. 37382, § 11, 5-23-06)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-37 Certified operators.
Sec. 54-37. - Certified operators.
Every class of swimming pools shall be under the immediate supervision of a certified operator, who shall be held responsible for compliance with all provisions of these regulations relating to equipment, pool operation and maintenance, and safety of bathers. A certificate of competency obtained through a training clinic sponsored by either the DCHD or the HHSS, or an equivalent certificate such as the National Swimming Pool Institute (CPO) or the Aquatic Facility Operator Certificate (AFO) shall be presented by each operator of a swimming pool as evidence of satisfactory completion of at least one such clinic during every two-year period. The certified operator shall be, at minimum, of majority age.
(Code 1980, § 54-37; Ord. No. 37382, § 12, 5-23-06)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-38 Lifeguard requirements—Class A pools.
Sec. 54-38. - Lifeguard requirements—Class A pools.
(a) Class A swimming pools, when open to the public for swimming, must have a lifeguard on duty. Swimming pools having 2,000 or more square feet of water surface area or 100 bathers, whichever is the lesser number, shall have a minimum of two lifeguards on duty. If the pool area is between 6,000 and 15,000 square feet of water surface area, a minimum of three lifeguards shall be on duty. If the pool area exceeds 15,000 square feet, a minimum of four guards shall be on duty. The number of lifeguards on duty shall be sufficient to permit periodic relief or rest periods.
(b) The minimum qualifications for a lifeguard shall be satisfactory completion of a current life guarding course in life-saving sponsored either by a nationally recognized organization, to include but not be limited to the Red Cross, the National Pool and Water Park Lifeguard Training Program, Boy Scouts, or YMCA, and current certification in infant, child, and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training issued by a nationally recognized organization, to include but not be limited to the National Safety Council, American Heart Association, or the American Red Cross. The certification course shall also include two-person CPR and the use of a bag valve mask and a rescue breathing mask.
(c) All guards shall wear distinctive swim suits or emblems while on duty.
(d) All Class A swimming pools shall provide a lifeguard chair for each 2,000 square feet of water surface area. The platform or chair shall be located so as to maintain surveillance of all pool floor area having a depth of five feet or greater, and in all cases located so that the guard is not required to protect a segment greater than 180 degrees.
(e) Class A pools rented or leased to private groups for swimming shall provide lifeguards in accordance with this section.
(f) Schools or institutions which conduct swimming classes or swimming meets may be exempted from lifeguard requirements.
(g) At water slides or drop slides, one lifeguard is required within 50 feet of the discharge point of the slide. This lifeguard shall be responsible for guarding the plunge area for the slide and no other areas and shall be in voice or visual communication with the attendant or lifeguard at the top of the slide. One lifeguard may monitor up to three slides and no other areas if they are adjacent to and discharge to the same plunge area.
(Code 1980, § 54-38; Ord. No. 33770, § 6, 12-19-95; Ord. No. 34230, § 1, 6-17-97; Ord. No. 37382, § 13, 5-23-06)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-39 Same—Class B, C and D pools.
Sec. 54-39. - Same—Class B, C and D pools.
Class B pools, stand alone spas, and stand alone wading pools shall post a warning sign within the immediate pool area in plain view of the user which reads as follows:
WARNING—NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY
No person shall swim alone.
"CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 16 SHALL NOT USE POOL WITHOUT AN ADULT IN ATTENDANCE."
"SPA" or "POOL or SPA" shall be substituted for "POOL" in the above sign, where appropriate. The letters on the portion of the sign stating "WARNING—NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY" shall be at least four inches high. The remainder of the wording shall be clearly legible, with letters at least two inches high. All lettering shall be of a color contrasting to the background on which it is applied.
Class B swimming pools, which elect to have a lifeguard on duty, shall provide a lifeguard chair for each 2,000 square feet of water surface area.
(Code 1980, § 54-39; Ord. No. 33770, § 7, 12-19-95; Ord. No. 37382, § 14, 5-23-06)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-40 Posting of regulations.
Sec. 54-40. - Posting of regulations.
All public pools shall post regulation signs, having the title "Pool Regulations," in clearly legible print with letters at least four inches high and the regulations presented in clearly legible print. The signs shall be conspicuously posted in the swimming pool area, or in the dressing rooms at all swimming pools, and contain the following:
(a) No person shall be permitted to use the pool without first having used the toilet and having taken a warm water shower, in the nude, using soap.
(b) No person having an obvious communicable disease, skin eruption, cut, sore or lesion, or eye, ear, nose, or throat infection shall be permitted the use of any swimming pool.
(c) Spitting or spouting of water, blowing the nose, or any other similar activities in the swimming pool shall be strictly prohibited.
(d) No running, or boisterous or rough play, except supervised water sports, shall be permitted in the pool, or on the runways, diving boards, floats, or platforms, or in the dressing rooms.
(Code 1980, § 54-40)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-41 Capacity.
Sec. 54-41. - Capacity.
The maximum design bather load for each swimming pool shall be prominently posted in letters not less than two inches high. No more than the maximum design bather load shall be permitted in the swimming pool at any one time. There should be not more than one bather for every 25 square feet of pool area where the pool depth is five or more feet, and not more than one bather for every 15 square feet of area where the pool depth is less than five feet.
(Code 1980, § 54-41)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-42 Safety equipment.
Sec. 54-42. - Safety equipment.
The following safety equipment shall be provided at all pools except as indicated hereinbelow:
(1) a.
Class A pool: Each lifeguard shall have within arms reach a rescue tube equipped with a six-foot long strap or tow rope.
b. Class B pool: Shall provide either a rescue tube or a ring buoy, United States Coast Guard approved, or its equivalent, to which shall be attached a rope at least as long as the width of the pool.
c. Class B pool: A life pole or shepherd's crook type of pole having blunted ends with a minimum length of 12 feet.
d. Class A pool: A backboard having the dimensions of 18 by 72 inches equipped with at least three straps, and at pools where lifeguard services are provided, such backboard shall be equipped to immobilize the head.
e. Class C Spas: An emergency shutdown control must be provided. This control must disable all spa circulation, agitation, air induction systems, as well as other associated mechanical, chemical feed and electrical devises.
(2) A blanket.
(3) A first aid kit filled and ready for use. The first aid kit shall include the following:
Three units—Triangular bandage.
Two units—One-inch tape.
Six units— Three-inch by three-inch plain gauze pads.
Two units—Two-inch by six-yards gauze roller bandage.
One unit—Tweezer, bandage scissors.
One unit—Red Cross First Aid Book or an equivalent substitute.
One unit—Assorted band-aids.
One unit—Emergency response pack for cleaning up blood.
Lifesaving equipment shall be mounted in conspicuous places, readily accessible, its function plainly marked, and kept in good repair and ready condition. Bathers or others shall not be permitted to tamper with, use for any purpose other than its intended use, or remove such equipment from its established location.
(Code 1980, § 54-42; Ord. No. 33770, § 8, 12-19-95; Ord. No. 34230, § 2, 6-17-97; Ord. No. 37382, § 15, 5-23-06)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-43 Telephone.
Sec. 54-43. - Telephone.
All pools must have a readily accessible telephone as required by the DCHD, with emergency telephone numbers prominently posted. Drills in handling emergencies should be conducted at appropriate intervals for Class A pools.
(Code 1980, § 54-43; Ord. No. 37382, § 16, 5-23-06)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-44 Chemical storage.
Sec. 54-44. - Chemical storage.
Chlorine, chlorine compounds and other hazardous chemical compounds shall be stored under appropriate conditions and accessible only to authorized persons. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the chemicals used at the pool shall be at the facility in a location known and readily accessible to the facility staff. A warning sign stating "AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY" shall be placed on the door of rooms where chemicals are used or stored or where bulk containers are located. Chlorine cylinders and proportioning equipment shall be housed in a separate well-ventilated enclosure. This enclosure shall be provided with a vent at floor level which terminates out-of-doors and shall contain:
(1) An approved scale for weighing the chlorine cylinders to determine the amount of chlorine fed over any period and to permit the operator to know when the supply of chlorine in the cylinder is nearing exhaustion.
(2) An ammonia fume dispenser bottle to be used to check for chlorine leaks.
(3) Provisions to secure all full and empty chlorine cylinders to the scale or to the walls to prevent accidental tipping of the cylinder.
(4) An approved chlorine cylinder valve stem wrench. This wrench shall be maintained on the valve stem of the cylinder(s) in use so that the chlorine supply can be shut off quickly in the case of an emergency.
(5) Valve protection hoods kept in place on all cylinders except those attached to the chlorinator.
(Code 1980, § 54-44; Ord. No. 33770, § 9, 12-19-95; Ord. No. 37382, § 17, 5-23-06)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-45 Water quality—Generally.
Sec. 54-45. - Water quality—Generally.
(a) The components of water chemistry and water clarity, including free residual chlorine, combined chlorine, total chlorine, bromine, active halogen stabilizers, pH, total alkalinity, or others shall be kept within parameters established by the DCHD.
(b) Whenever a public and/or commercial swimming pool is in use, a minimum free chlorine residual of 2.0 ppm when a stabilizer such as cyanuric acid is introduced into the water, or 2.0 ppm bromine, shall be maintained in all parts of the pool, and the water shall have a pH between 7.2 and 7.8.
(c) Parameters for combined chlorine, total chlorine, halogen stabilizers, total alkalinity and bromine are contained in figure I.
(d) Whenever a public and/or commercial swimming pool is in use, the water shall be sufficiently clear to permit the entire pool bottom to be clearly visible from the decks and/or walkways or sufficiently clear to permit visual observation of the main drain or grate in the deepest portion of the pool.
(e) The water surface shall be free from scum and floating materials.
(f) The water shall have no odor, except, perhaps, a faint odor of the disinfecting agent.
(g) The pool bottom shall be maintained free from dirt, objects, refuse and foreign material.
(h) The maindrain cover or grate shall be a color contrasting with the background.
FIGURE I. WATER BALANCE PARAMETERS
Agent or Chemical Additive | Minimum | Maximum | Ideal
Chlorine—Free Residual (Pools) | 2.0 ppm | 10 ppm | 3.0—4.0 ppm
Chlorine (Spas, Wading Pools and Spray Parks) | 3.0 ppm | 10 ppm | 3.0—4.0 ppm
Chlorine—Combined | none | 0.5 ppm | none
Bromine—(Pools) | 2.0 ppm | 10 ppm | 4.0—6.0 ppm
Bromine (Spas, Wading Pools and Spray Parks) | 4.0 ppm | 10 ppm | 4.0—6.0 ppm
pH (hydrogen ion) | 7.2 | 7.8 | 7.5
Chlorine Stabilizers/Cyanuric Acids, etc. | 10 ppm | 100 ppm | 30—50 ppm
Total Alkalinity | 80 ppm | none | 125—150 ppm
Calcium Hardness | none | none | 200—400 ppm
*Total chlorine refers to the free chlorine residual plus the combined residual. When the combined residual exceeds 0.5 ppm, the pool water should be super-chlorinated to bring the combined residual to 0.5 ppm or less.
(Code 1980, § 54-45; Ord. No. 33770, § 10, 12-19-95; Ord. No. 34231, § 1, 6-17-97; Ord. No. 37382, § 18, 5-23-06)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-46 Same—Test equipment.
Sec. 54-46. - Same—Test equipment.
(a) All pools shall provide test equipment capable of accurately measuring free chlorine, combined chlorine, total chlorine, pH, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid (where applicable) and total alkalinity.
(b) Chlorine/bromine test kit, DPD (Diethyl-P-Phenylene Diamine) test kit, or FAS-DPD (Ferrous Ammonium Sulfate—Diethyl-P-Phenylene Diamine) test kit shall be used. Where chlorine is used, a scale of 1—10 ppm shall be used to measure the free and combined chlorine residuals.
(c) pH (hydrogen ion) test equipment shall be capable of measuring pH at a range of 7.0 to 8.0, accurate to the nearest 0.2 pH unit.
(d) The alkalinity test range shall be at least 60 to 400 ppm as CaCO3.
(e) Where cyanurates are used, a test kit to measure the cyanuric acid concentration shall be provided. It shall permit readings to at least 100 ppm with maximum increments of 25 ppm.
(f) Additional test equipment shall be provided, as necessary, to accurately measure any and all chemicals, compounds or additives to the pool water to insure compliance with established parameters.
(Code 1980, § 54-46; Ord. No. 33770, § 11, 12-19-95; Ord. No. 37382, § 19, 5-23-06)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-47 Test records and operating records.
Sec. 54-47. - Test records and operating records.
Such records of operation as required by the DCHD shall be kept by the certified pool operator. The records shall be maintained on a daily basis whenever the pool is in use or considered to be ready for use. The records shall be kept a minimum of three years.
The records shall be kept on forms supplied by the DCHD and submitted to the DCHD upon request.
Operating records must be made daily and show:
(1) Disinfectant residuals and pH readings; shall be tested before opening and then at intervals of not longer than four hours until closing time. If the swimming pool, wading pool, or spa is equipped with an automatic controller with a readout or printout of the disinfectant residual, the operator may also make visible readings of the disinfectant residual and record them. The pool water shall be tested manually by means of a DPD test, FAS-DPD test, or equivalent at least once per day before opening. The operator shall record which test is from the automatic controller and which is done manually.
These requirements also applies to testing ph of water using the phenol red test or equivalent;
(2) Amounts of chemicals used;
(3) Maintenance and malfunctioning of equipment;
(4) Patron load totals.
Tests and operating records must be made weekly to show:
(1) Total alkalinity;
(2) Cyanuric acid level (where applicable).
(Code 1980, § 54-47; Ord. No. 33770, § 12, 12-19-95; Ord. No. 37382, § 20, 5-23-06)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-48 Operating instructions.
Sec. 54-48. - Operating instructions.
Upon completion of any public and/or commercial pool, the design engineer, engineer-contractor or equipment supplier shall furnish to the owner oral instructions and not less than two copies of instructions in the operation of the pool and all of the equipment. The written instructions shall include valve schedules, flow diagrams, and the operation of the mechanical equipment, including the sequential operation of valves and winterizing instructions. One set of instructions shall be submitted to the HHSS for record purposes.
(Code 1980, § 54-48; Ord. No. 37382, § 21, 5-23-06)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-49 Cleanliness generally.
Sec. 54-49. - Cleanliness generally.
Deck areas, dressing rooms and locker room floors of public or commercial pools shall be scrubbed and disinfected at least once a day.
(Code 1980, § 54-49)
Omaha Municipal Code § 54-50 Commercial activities.
Sec. 54-50. - Commercial activities.
The carrying on of any commercial undertakings at a public or commercial swimming pool entailing sales of foods, drinks, novelties or other merchandise in a manner unreasonably disturbing neighboring property owners and inhabitants in the enjoyment of their property shall be prohibited. Food preparation or service facilities shall not be permitted within the immediate swimming pool area or enclosure. These facilities may be permitted provided they are separated from the pool enclosure area. No refreshments shall be served in glass containers.
(Code 1980, § 54-50)
Source: City of Omaha, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ne/omaha/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=OMMUCOCHGEORVOII_CH54SWPO_ARTIIPUCOSWPO_DIV1GEFetched: 10/28/2026