Swimming pool license

All indoor and outdoor public swimming pools and spas must be licensed. 

Building, installing or altering a public pool requires formal review.

Cities with their own licensing program

For public pools in these cities contact the city instead of the county.

Bloomington
952-563-8934

Brooklyn Park
763-493-8070

Edina
952-826-0377

Minneapolis
612-673-3000

Minnetonka
952-939-8200

Richfield
612-861-9870 

Map of city vs. county pool licensing

Hennepin County Environmental Health jurisdiction map (PDF, 1MB)

Annual outdoor pool openings

Required annual inspection before opening

All public swimming pools must pass an inspection before opening for the season. Outdoor opening inspections will begin on a limited basis starting April 1, 2026.

To prepare for and schedule an inspection:

1. Pay your license fee
2. With your fee, submit the completed licensing paperwork and copy of your pool operator certificate (i.e., CPO, AFO, etc.)
3. Review and complete the items on the outdoor pool checklist (PDF, 1MB)
4. To schedule an inspection call 612-543-5200

Pool operator forms and resources

Forms

• Outdoor pool checklist (PDF, 1MB)
• Pool chemistry requirements (PDF, 1MB)
• Pool log (PDF, 1MB)
• Pool sign requirements (PDF, 1MB)
• Turnover calculations (PDF, 1MB)
• Pool management change form (PDF, 1MB)
• Main drain/suction outlet cover documentation form (PDF, 1MB)

Resources

• Minnesota Pool Code
• Public swimming pool resource – Minnesota Department of Health – MDH
• Legionellosis (Legionella) information for hot tub owners and operators – MDH
• Operating public hot tubs/spas – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC
• Animals in public pools – MDH (PDF, 1MB)
• Residential swimming pool and spa rentals – MDH (PDF, 1MB)

Training

• Certified pool operator training – MDH 

When to call Hennepin County Environmental Health

• Pool-related death or serious injury requiring emergency medical assistance (such as drowning or chemical exposure) Minnesota Department of Health injury/drowning report form (PDF, 1MB)
• Pool employee or customer diagnosed with a waterborne illness (such as Cryptosporidiosis, norovirus, Shigella, or E. coli O157:H7)
• Major damage to pool area or pump room (such as from a tornado, flood or storm)
• Before doing any remodeling or additions to the pool, bathrooms/locker rooms, decking, fencing, gates/doors, or equipment. Many times this requires a plan review and approval from the health department.

For daytime, call 612-543-5200.

For after-hours emergencies only, call 612-543-5217.

Building or renovating public pools

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) completes all public pool plan review approvals and construction inspections in the state.

Construction cannot begin until plans are approved. A final pool construction inspection needs to be scheduled with MDH prior to opening a public pool.

If you have questions about pool plan review, contact MDH:

• Phone: 651-201-4500
• Email: health.swimmingpools@state.mn.us

Drain cover recall

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of product

Pool and spa drain covers

Units

About 1 million

Manufacturers

• A&A Manufacturing, of Phoenix, AZ
• AquaStar Pool Products Inc., of San Diego, CA
• Color Match Pool Fittings, of Surprise, AZ
• Custom Molded Products, of Tyrone, GA
• Hayward Pool Products, of Elizabeth, NJ
• Pentair Water Pool and Spa, of Sanford, NC
• Rising Dragon USA, of E. Sweetwater, TN
• Waterway Plastics, of Oxnard, CA

Hazard

The recalled drain covers were incorrectly rated to handle the flow of water through the cover, which could pose a possible entrapment hazard to swimmers and bathers.

Visit drain cover recall.