February 23, 2018
On February 6, 2018, the D.C. City Council introduced legislation that would exempt condominium associations from certain requirements applicable to public swimming pools.
The Pools Without Penalties Act of 2018 establishes exemptions from D.C. rules regarding lifeguard presence, facility amenities, and record-keeping at swimming pools that are deemed "semi-public" - meaning that they are operated solely for the and in conjunction with hotels, motels, apartment buildings, cooperatives and condominiums.
The bill specifies that such "semi-public" pools are not required to have lifeguards present unless the pool has a diving board, is at least 5 feet deep and constructed after June 30, 2018, and if 50% of the users are under the age of 15.
The bill also specifies that operators of semi-public swimming pools are not required to provide shower facilities, toilet facilities, eye wash stations, and dressing rooms for swimming pool users if use is restricted to residents and guests, and if the farthest dwelling unit in the premises is less than 300 feet from the swimming pool.
The bill specifies that a cooperative, apartment building, or condominium operating a swimming pool is not required to have a pool operator, keep daily water quality and safety logs, post a fence around a rooftop swimming pool, have a safety line, nor is required to have additional disability accommodations beyond those already required by the Americans with Disabilities Act for newly constructed or renovated pools.
The bill is currently under review with the Mayor.
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