3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Kent County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Kent County does not have its own pool ordinance; instead, all PUBLIC swimming pools in the county are licensed and inspected by the Kent County Health Department under Michigan Public Health Code, Act 368 of 1978, Part 125 (MCL 333.12501 et seq.). MCL 333.12527 forbids operating a public pool without an annual license, and MCL 333.12522 requires a construction permit from EGLE before building or altering a public pool. Backyard pools at 1- to 4-family homes are NOT "public" under MCL 333.12521(2)(a) — those are permitted by the municipality where the pool sits under the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act (PA 230 of 1972).
Residential swimming pool, spa, and hot tub barriers in Kent County are governed by Appendix G of the Michigan Residential Code (Section AG105), which is adopted statewide under the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act (1972 PA 230). Any outdoor in-ground, on-ground, or above-ground pool, hot tub, or spa with water deeper than 24 inches must be surrounded by a barrier at least 48 inches high, with self-closing/self-latching gates and openings small enough to prevent passage of a 4-inch sphere. The code is enforced by the building department of each individual city or township within Kent County (Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming, Walker, etc.), not by the county itself.
Every public swimming pool and public spa pool in Kent County — including hotel, motel, apartment, condominium, fitness-club, campground, school, and municipal pools — must be licensed and inspected by the Kent County Health Department under Michigan Public Health Code Part 125 (Act 368 of 1978, MCL 333.12521–.12534) and the state Public Swimming Pool Rules (Mich. Admin. Code R 325.2111 et seq.). The Health Department conducts annual licensing inspections, investigates complaints/injuries/illnesses, requires monthly water testing and operation reports, and can order a pool closed for non-compliance.
2 cities in Kent County have their own swimming pools & spas rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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