Public Pool and Tourist Facility Program
The Oregon Health Authority
Public Pool and Tourist Facility Program works in partnership with local health departments, the recreation and tourist industry and the public to reduce the risk of waterborne illness and injury at public facilities. The program provides technical assistance, training, and education; coordinates rulemaking; and oversees the field inspection system.
OAR 333-062 - Temporary Aquatic Facility Rules Effective - 6/22/26 through 12/18/26
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Public Health Division, Food, Pool and Lodging Health and Safety Program is temporarily amending OAR 333-062-1000 related to adult supervision requirements for children under the age of 14 at lifeguarded pools. This temporary rulemaking is effective June 22, 2026 through December 18, 2026. OHA will use the time while the temporary rule is in effect to convene a workgroup to further consider the policy concerns regarding required supervision to create permanent rule language to use statewide moving forward. For more information, please see the
Notice to Interested Parties, the
Administrative Order and the
updated rule language.
Who is affected by these temporary rules?
This amended language applies to both general use and limited use pools if they have lifeguards on site at any time.
What rules were modified?
How can operators of lifeguarded pools comply with the temporary rules?
As a facility manager, you have four options to comply with the temporary rules depending on your current signage and operational preferences:
-
Maintain the Status Quo: Keep your older, existing signs posted to continue operating with no supervision requirements; or
-
Revert to Prior Rules: Cover up the supervision section on newly replaced signs to reinstate your previous policies; or
-
Recommend Supervision: Update the text on your posted signs to state that supervision is recommended using this language, "The Oregon Health Authority recommends children under the age of 14 years must have direct supervision by a person aged 18 years or older"; or
-
Require Supervision: Update the text on your posted signs to state that direct supervision is required. You can use under the age of 14 years or choose a different age limit.
OAR 333-060 and 333-062 - Aquatic Facility Rules Filed - 4/1/25
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Public Health Division, Public Pool Program repealed Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) in chapter 333, division 60, “Public Swimming Pools" and chapter 333, division 062, “Public Spa Pools," and adopted new rules in these divisions to reorganize and update rules relating to aquatic facility requirements. These OARs have been added onto and revised many times over the years and the program has decided to adopt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services, 2023 Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC), 4th Edition to bring Oregon's rules closer to the national standard for aquatic venue safety.
The goal of the reorganization was to update rule language to better address the public health concerns with modern aquatic venues as well as to group sections of related topics together so users can more easily find information based on their responsibilities at an aquatic venue. The original rules were separated by facility type with pools separated from spas. However, with this rule update, the rules include all types of aquatic venues (ex; pools, spas, splash pads) and instead separate the rule sets by activity (construction provisions and operational provisions). This will allow both industry and regulators to utilize the rules more efficiently and include a wider variety of pool types.
Most existing licensed aquatic venues will be able to continue to operate as licensed after the rule adoption with minimal impact.