Seattle Mun. Code § 10.12.010 Short title.
10.12.010 - Short title.
This ordinance may be cited as the "Seattle Water Recreation Facility Code."
(Ord. 117092, § 1, 1994.)
WATER RECREATION FACILITY CODE
SEA-MC tit. 10, ch. 10.12
in effectSeattle Mun. Code § 10.12.020 Purpose; interpretation.
10.12.020 - Purpose; interpretation.
This Code exercises the City's police power to protect and preserve the public peace, health, safety, and welfare and carries out RCW Chapter 70.90 and the implementing rules and regulations of the Washington State Board of Health. It shall be liberally interpreted to carry out its purpose and to accord with State rules and regulations.
(Ord. 117092, § 1, 1994.)
Seattle Mun. Code § 10.12.030 Obligations; liabilities.
10.12.030 - Obligations; liabilities.
All actions of the Director and the City are exercises of the police power as contemplated by RCW 70.90.180. The purpose and policy declared in SMC 10.12.020 applies.
(Ord. 117092, § 1, 1994.)
Seattle Mun. Code § 10.12.040 Administration.
10.12.040 - Administration.
The Director shall administer and enforce this Code and for such purposes may contract with the State Board of Health as contemplated by WAC 246-260-020 to reduce overlapping or duplication of services; may exercise the enforcement powers as contemplated by WAC 246-260-250 to the extent consistent with this chapter; promulgate implementing rules and regulations under the City's Administrative Code, SMC Chapter 3.02; enter premises as authorized by SMC Sections 10.01.280 through 10.01.290; and deny, suspend, revoke, and/or reinstate permits as authorized by SMC Chapter 10.01 and/or WAC 246-260-250.
(Ord. 117092, § 1, 1994.)
Seattle Mun. Code § 10.12.050 Application.
10.12.050 - Application.
This Code applies to all water recreation facilities regardless of whether ownership is public or private and regardless of whether the intended use is commercial or private, except that this chapter shall not apply to:
A. Any water recreation facility for the sole use of residents and invited guests at a single-family dwelling;
B. Therapeutic water facilities operated exclusively for physical therapy; and
C. Steam baths and saunas.
(Ord. 117092, § 1, 1994.)
Seattle Mun. Code § 10.12.060 State regulations; definitions.
10.12.060 - State regulations; definitions.
This Code hereby adopts by reference the definitions of RCW 70.90.110 and the rules and regulations of the Washington State Board of Health, Washington Administrative Code Chapter 246-260 (Safety, Sanitation and Water Quality of Water Recreation Facilities) promulgated in the Washington State Register 90-07-010 and amendments made thereafter from time to time. A copy of RCW Chapter 70.90 and WAC Chapter 246-260 is contained in this ordinance file.
The definitions in RCW 70.90.110 and WAC 246-260-010 apply. The "local health officer" identified in RCW 70.90.110(3) and WAC 246-260-010(28) is the Director of Public Health of the Seattle-King County Health Department or a duly authorized representative.
(Ord. 117092, § 1, 1994.)
Seattle Mun. Code § 10.12.070 Construction permit.
10.12.070 - Construction permit.
A. No person shall construct or make any modification to any water recreation facility without first obtaining a permit from the Director therefor.
B. In order to secure a permit, the owner, operator or a contractor, engineer or architect on their behalf, shall file an application with the Director, accompanied by the information contemplated by SMC Section 10.01.090, WAC 246-260-030, and any Director's rule, and the permit fee. The Director shall review the plans for the water recreation facility. The Director may approve, reject or request more needed information, or require modifications or impose conditions consistent with this chapter. All construction shall be in full compliance with State law and implementing Rules, and with this Code. The Director should make a decision within thirty (30) days of a complete submittal.
C. The owner or operator may elect to continue to use a water recreation facility which:
1. Existed on July 27, 1987, maintains a "grandfather privilege" under RCW 70.90.160, and complies with statutory and ordinance requirements in effect when constructed, or
2. Was constructed between July 27, 1987, and April 12, 1990, and complies with SMC Chapter 22.906, RCW 70.90, and WAC Chapter 246-260 as then existing, although the facility is not in full compliance with current design, construction and equipment requirements, as long as the facility is operated in continuous compliance with the lifesaving requirements in WAC 246-260-050(2), and the water quality and sanitation requirements of this Code, and satisfies the barrier requirements of WAC 246-260-050(3), or is the subject of an administrative authorization or dispensation. Any modification involving construction or installation of new equipment shall comply with this Code.
(Ord. 117092, § 1, 1994.)
Seattle Mun. Code § 10.12.080 Operating permit.
10.12.080 - Operating permit.
It is unlawful for any person to open for use or allow or cause to be used any water recreation facility without first securing and thereafter maintaining a current, valid operating permit from the Director. To obtain an operating permit, an applicant shall apply to the Director and supply the information required by WAC 246-260-040. An operating permit shall be valid for the facility for which issued, for no more than one (1) year, subject to annual renewal, and transferable only with the written approval of the director. Operating permits shall expire on May 31st of each year. Operations shall comply with state law and implementing rules and this Code.
(Ord. 117092, § 1, 1994.)
Seattle Mun. Code § 10.12.090 Permit fees.
10.12.090 - Permit fees.
Every applicant shall pay a fee for each permit at the time issued measured by the applicable rate in this schedule:
A. Construction permit:
New water recreation facility One Hundred Fifty
Dollars ($150.00)
Renovation (including extensive changes in equipment, piping or pool structure at an estimated cost over ($3,000.00) Seventy-five
Dollars ($75.00)
Alteration (including change of filtration equipment, pumps or other mechanical equipment) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00)
The fee shall be doubled whenever work subject to a permit is begun without the permit, except for emergency work begun when a permit could not reasonably be obtained in advance and a permit is obtained promptly thereafter.
B. Operating permits (annual rates):
Water recreation facility Three Hundred
Dollars ($300.00)
Additional such facilities at same location operated by same person One Hundred
Fifty Dollars
($150.00)
The fee for the initial permit to operate a new pool shall be one-half (½) the annual fee if such permit is obtained after November 30th.
C. Transfer fee:
Transferring permit from one person to another Twenty-five
Dollars ($25.00)
(Ord. 117092, § 1, 1994.)
Seattle Mun. Code § 10.12.100 Special services and charges.
10.12.100 - Special services and charges.
On request, the Director may provide services and materials that are not ordinarily provided under permit or pursuant to statute, such as:
A. Additional examinations or inspections of water recreation facilities;
B. Special tests or sampling of water quality; and
C. Examination, testing or inspection of particular products, materials, construction, equipment or appliances to determine their compliance with this Code or their acceptability for use.
The Director is authorized to charge such fees as necessary to cover the cost of furnishing these supplemental services and materials.
(Ord. 117092, § 1, 1994.)
Seattle Mun. Code § 10.12.110 Supplemental provisions.
10.12.110 - Supplemental provisions.
A. The hydrotherapy pump and air blower for a spa pool shall be connected to a time switch with a maximum fifteen (15) minute time limit unless a variance is granted. The switch shall be at least ten (10) feet from the spa water's edge.
B. A swimming pool constructed prior to the effective date of this Code will permit diving only if it conforms to requirements A-1 through A-6 established by the American Public Health Association for diving areas as shown in Appendix A. [1]
(Ord. 117092, § 1, 1994.)
Seattle Mun. Code § 10.12.120 Offenses before code.
10.12.120 - Offenses before code.
This Code does not apply to any offense committed prior to its effective date, a defense to a prosecution for such an offense, or the punishment that may be imposed for such an offense. An offense committed prior to its effective date is governed by law in effect at that time as if the ordinance codified in this chapter had not been enacted. The replacement of Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 22.906 (Ordinance 98755) and its repeal shall not affect any prosecutions that are then pending.
(Ord. 117092, § 1, 1994.)
Seattle Mun. Code § 10.12.130 Park wading pools.
10.12.130 - Park wading pools.
It is the intent and the understanding of the City in adopting the State rules and regulations that existing park wading pools will continue in use without installing the barriers contemplated by WAC 246-260-050(3) and WAC 246-260-130(4) through the administrative authorizations of the rules, e.g., the granting of a variance or finding of substantial equivalence in the use of trained attendants at wading pools during their daylight hours of operation, daily draining, and regular monitoring of water quality or through a modification of the rules pursuant to legislative review under RCW 34.05.610 through RCW 34.05.660.
(Ord. 117092, § 1, 1994.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT10HESA_CH10.12WAREFACOFetched: 11/1/2026