Safety Rules: Grand Rapids vs Kentwood

Do I need a permit to install a pool in Grand Rapids?

Yes. A building permit is required for pool installation. Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. The city inspects the pool during and after construction.

Are anti-entrapment drain covers required for Grand Rapids pools?

Yes. Pools must have anti-entrapment drain covers under the Michigan Residential Code. These protect swimmers from suction hazards at pool drains.

Do I need GFCI protection for my Grand Rapids pool?

Yes. Pool electrical wiring must include GFCI protection and must be installed by a licensed electrician. The work is inspected by the city's building inspection division.

Who inspects swimming pools in Kent County, Michigan?

The Kent County Health Department's Environmental Health division at 700 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, inspects every licensed public swimming pool and public spa in the county at least once a year and in response to complaints. The state of Michigan (EGLE) contracts with the local Health Department to carry out the inspections required by Part 125 of the Public Health Code. Private single-family residential pools are NOT inspected by the Health Department — those are regulated through the building code at the city/township level.

Does my apartment, hotel, or community pool need to be licensed?

Yes. Under Michigan Public Health Code Part 125 (MCL 333.12521 et seq.), every pool that is not part of a single-family residence — including apartment, condo, HOA, hotel, motel, fitness-club, school, camp, and municipal pools in Kent County — must hold a current annual operating license issued by the Kent County Health Department. Operators must also submit a Monthly Operation Report by the 10th of the following month showing water-chemistry and disinfection records, and submit a water sample for bacteriological testing at least once a month while open to bathers.

What safety equipment is required at a Kent County public pool?

Public pools in Kent County must have: anti-entrapment main-drain covers compliant with the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Act and ANSI/APSP-16; clearly visible depth markings; "No Diving" signage where water is less than 5 feet deep; a posted bather load and rules for bathers; a U.S. Coast Guard–approved ring buoy with rope and a rescue/shepherd hook; a stocked first-aid kit; and an emergency telephone with posted 911 instructions. Pools without a lifeguard on duty must display a conspicuous "Swim at Your Own Risk" sign that meets Mich. Admin. Code R 325.2193.

How do I report an unsafe or dirty public pool in Kent County?

Call the Kent County Health Department directly at (616) 632-6900 — the dedicated complaint line for swimming-pool concerns. For an actively ill bather or injury in progress, call 911. The Health Department's main number is (616) 632-7100, and the office is at 700 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Complaints can be made anonymously and trigger a complaint inspection under MCL 333.12527.