Greenville County, SC Swimming Pools & Spas: Safety Rules (2026)

Public swimming pools and public spa pools in Greenville County are regulated by the State Recreational Waters Act (SC Code §44-55-2310 et seq.) and SC DHEC Regulation 61-51, "Public Swimming Pools." DHEC (effective July 2024 reorganized into the SC Department of Public Health, but its Environmental Affairs functions transferred to the SC Department of Environmental Services and SC DPH) issues construction permits and operating permits for, and inspects, every public pool in Greenville County. Public pool is defined broadly: any pool other than one serving a single private residence — i.e., apartment, condominium, hotel, motel, water park, RV park, school, club, gym, therapy, and municipal pools all fall under the rule. R.61-51 classifies pools into Types A through E based on use, with Type A being conventional public pools (municipal, water-park, club) and Type E covering specialized categories such as therapy or wave pools.

SC Code §44-55-2390 — codifying the lifeguard mandate — provides that "All Type 'A' public swimming pools, as defined in Regulation 61-51, shall provide lifeguards" in accordance with patron-to-lifeguard ratios based on pool surface area: (a) pools up to 3,000 sq ft: 1 lifeguard for 1–25 patrons, scaling up to additional guards per 100 patrons above 250; (b) pools 3,001–6,000 sq ft and 6,001–9,000 sq ft: a minimum of 2 lifeguards on duty for 1–25 patrons, increasing with patron count; (c) pools larger than 9,000 sq ft: a minimum of 3 lifeguards on duty for 1–25 patrons, increasing with patron count. Type "E" pools must submit a lifeguard coverage plan approved in writing by the Department. The same section requires that any pool needing only one lifeguard "must have at least one additional pool staff employee present" to assist with emergency communication and dispatch. A pool operator may apply for a variance by submitting a written request to DHEC demonstrating "proof of equivalency" — i.e., an alternative safety scheme that provides equivalent protection.

DHEC R.61-51 also requires functional anti-entrapment drain covers meeting the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act and ANSI/APSP-16, dual main drains or a safety vacuum-release system, clearly visible depth markings on the pool deck and tile, "No Diving" markings where water is shallower than 5 feet, posted bather load and rules for bathers, posted emergency telephone with 911 instructions, a U.S. Coast Guard–approved ring buoy with attached line, a rescue/shepherd's hook, a stocked first-aid kit, and — at pools where no lifeguard is on duty — a conspicuous "Swim at Your Own Risk / No Lifeguard on Duty" sign. Inspections are conducted at least annually and on complaint by SC DHEC / SC DPH; reports can be filed through DHEC's Environmental Affairs office for the Upstate region in Greenville.