Kansas Statewide Rule

Kansas Pool Safety Rules at Licensed Child Care Facilities

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Kansas (2026)

Key Facts

Inground fence height: At least five feet
Gates: Self-closing, self-locking
Water pH: 7.2 to 7.8
Free chlorine: 1.0 to 3.0 ppm
Testing: Every two hours during use

Last verified: July 31, 2026

Summary

At every KDHE-licensed child care facility in Kansas, each inground pool must be fenced at least five feet high with self-closing, self-locking gates, water held between pH 7.2 and 7.8 and free chlorine 1.0 to 3.0 ppm, and chlorine and pH tested every two hours during use.

Each inground pool shall be enclosed by a fence at least five feet high, with openings no greater than 3.5 inches ... Each gate in the fence shall be at least five feet high, self-closing, self-locking, and kept closed and locked ... Water in the pool shall be maintained between pH 7.2 and pH 7.8 ... free available chlorine between 1.0 parts per million and 3.0 parts per million ... the chlorine ... and pH level shall be tested every two hours during periods of use ... Legible safety rules for the use of each pool shall be posted in a clearly visible location near the pool area.

View official code

Full Breakdown

K.A.R. 28-4-129 governs swimming and wading at every KDHE-licensed preschool and child care center in Kansas. Each inground pool must be enclosed by a fence at least five feet high with openings no greater than 3.5 inches; every gate must be five feet high, self-closing, self-locking, and kept closed and locked. Staff hold pool water between pH 7.2 and 7.8 and free available chlorine between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm, cleaning the pool and testing chlorine and pH every two hours during use. Legible safety rules must be posted near the pool. KDHE Child Care Licensing enforces these standards, amended effective August 2, 2024.

Violations & Penalties

Facilities that miss these standards face KDHE Child Care Licensing action: correction plans, and for serious or repeated violations, suspension, revocation, or denial of the license required to operate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Kansas have a statewide code for general public swimming pools?

No. Kansas sets no statewide construction or operating code for general public pools; those are governed by local city or county ordinance. KDHE's statewide pool safety rules apply to licensed child care facilities under K.A.R. 28-4-129.

What water chemistry does K.A.R. 28-4-129 require?

Pool water must stay between pH 7.2 and 7.8 with free available chlorine between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm, and the chlorine and pH must be tested every two hours during periods of use.

How tall must a pool fence be at a Kansas child care center?

Each inground pool must be enclosed by a fence at least five feet high with openings no greater than 3.5 inches, and gates must be five feet high, self-closing, and self-locking.

Sources

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