Pool Permits: Grand Rapids vs Kentwood

Does Kent County require a permit for my backyard swimming pool?

No — not from Kent County. Backyard pools at 1- to 4-family homes are expressly excluded from "public swimming pool" under MCL 333.12521(2)(a), so the Kent County Health Department does not license them. Instead, residential pool permits are issued by the building department of the city, village, or township where the property sits, under the Michigan Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act (PA 230 of 1972). Contact your local municipality (e.g., Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Walker, Wyoming, Ada Township) for the building permit, barrier/fence rules, and any electrical permit required.

Who licenses public pools at apartments, hotels, and motels in Kent County?

The Kent County Health Department issues the annual operating license under MCL 333.12527, and EGLE issues the up-front construction permit under MCL 333.12522. A pool serving more than four apartment units, condo units, hotel rooms, or motel rooms is a "public swimming pool" under MCL 333.12521. The owner-operator must apply for the operating license each year, submit monthly operation reports to Kent County by the 10th of the following month, and provide at least one water sample per month the pool is open.

What is the difference between the EGLE construction permit and the Kent County operating license?

They are two separate approvals. Before any public pool is built or materially altered, MCL 333.12522 requires a one-time construction permit from EGLE's Swimming Pool Program — the application (Form EQP1733) must include scale plans and, for projects ≥$15,000, plans sealed by a Michigan-registered engineer or architect. Once the pool is built, MCL 333.12527 requires an annual operating license from the Kent County Health Department, renewed each year and conditioned on a satisfactory health-department inspection.

What are operators required to report each month to Kent County?

Per the Kent County Health Department program page, public pool and spa operators must submit a monthly operation report no later than the 10th of the following month, and they must submit at least one water sample per month while the pool is open to bathers (more frequently if the department orders it). Operational records include chemistry readings, turnover rate verification, and incident logs. Reports go to Kent County Environmental Health — questions or complaints: (616) 632-6900.

Does Kent County require a permit for my backyard swimming pool?

No — not from Kent County. Backyard pools at 1- to 4-family homes are expressly excluded from "public swimming pool" under MCL 333.12521(2)(a), so the Kent County Health Department does not license them. Instead, residential pool permits are issued by the building department of the city, village, or township where the property sits, under the Michigan Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act (PA 230 of 1972). Contact your local municipality (e.g., Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Walker, Wyoming, Ada Township) for the building permit, barrier/fence rules, and any electrical permit required.

Who licenses public pools at apartments, hotels, and motels in Kent County?

The Kent County Health Department issues the annual operating license under MCL 333.12527, and EGLE issues the up-front construction permit under MCL 333.12522. A pool serving more than four apartment units, condo units, hotel rooms, or motel rooms is a "public swimming pool" under MCL 333.12521. The owner-operator must apply for the operating license each year, submit monthly operation reports to Kent County by the 10th of the following month, and provide at least one water sample per month the pool is open.

What is the difference between the EGLE construction permit and the Kent County operating license?

They are two separate approvals. Before any public pool is built or materially altered, MCL 333.12522 requires a one-time construction permit from EGLE's Swimming Pool Program — the application (Form EQP1733) must include scale plans and, for projects ≥$15,000, plans sealed by a Michigan-registered engineer or architect. Once the pool is built, MCL 333.12527 requires an annual operating license from the Kent County Health Department, renewed each year and conditioned on a satisfactory health-department inspection.

What are operators required to report each month to Kent County?

Per the Kent County Health Department program page, public pool and spa operators must submit a monthly operation report no later than the 10th of the following month, and they must submit at least one water sample per month while the pool is open to bathers (more frequently if the department orders it). Operational records include chemistry readings, turnover rate verification, and incident logs. Reports go to Kent County Environmental Health — questions or complaints: (616) 632-6900.