# Sec. 5-224. Supervision of public swimming pools; lifeguards required

Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.

## Sec. 5-224. Supervision of public swimming pools; lifeguards required

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-224 (2026)

(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), it shall be unlawful for any person to operate or permit to be operated within the County a public swimming pool unless such pool is under the prompt supervision of duly licensed swimming pool operator and under the actual and direct supervision of that number of qualified public swimming pool lifeguards as indicated below.

  (1) 1—50 persons in water—One lifeguard;

  (2) 51—100 persons in water—Two lifeguards;

  (3) 101—150 persons in water—Three lifeguards;

  (4) For each additional 75 persons in water—One lifeguard.

(b) The provisions of subsection 5-224(a) do not apply to a pool with a water surface area of under 2,500 square feet located within or outside a building that has a permit issued by Prince George's County to operate as a hotel or motel, or that is registered as a seller of health club services pursuant to the Annotated Code of Maryland, Commercial Law Article, Title 14, Subtitle 12B, and that meets all State regulations, including COMAR10.17.01.40F and the following provisions:

  (1) The size, color, design, application, symbol, and visual layout of a safety sign is in compliance with the ANSI Z-535 series of standards for Safety Signs and Colors as referenced in American National Standard for Public Spas;

  (2) A spa safety sign is posted in a permanent location adjacent to a spa in compliance with the American National Standard for Public Spas;

  (3) The spa safety sign includes the user load of the spa;

  (4) A chemical warning sign is posted at the entrance door to a chemical storage area and includes the text "Caution! Chemical Storage Area";

  (5) A chemical vat, feeder, pump, and line is labeled to identify the chemical in use;

  (6) A chlorine gas warning sign reading "Danger—Chlorine Gas" is posted at the entrance to a chlorine gas feed room and storage area;

  (7) Other warning, health advisory, and safety signs are posted if necessary to protect the public health and safety, for example, "Danger! No Diving In Shallow Water";

  (8) A semipublic pool or public spa that does not have a lifeguard on duty has a conspicuous sign posted adjacent to entrances to the pool or spa reading "WARNING; NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY. SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK. DO NOT SWIM ALONE. CHILDREN UNDER 15 SHOULD NOT USE THE POOL WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION."; and

(c) In addition to meeting the above requirements and the provisions of COMAR 10.17.01.40F, a pool with a water surface area of under 2,500 square feet that is located in or outside a building that has a use and occupancy permit to operate as a hotel or motel, or that is registered as a seller of health club services pursuant to the Annotated Code of Maryland, Commercial Law Article, Title 14, Subtitle 12B, and that meets a description of the provisions set forth in subsection 5-224(b) must have a conspicuous sign posted adjacent to entrances to the pool or spa reading:

  "CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 15 ARE NOT PERMITTED TO USE THE POOL WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION."

(d) The County Health Officer has the authority to make adjustments in the foregoing schedule when deemed necessary and practicable and when such adjustment will not present a hazard to the public health or safety of persons using a pool.

(e) Swimming pools shall be maintained in a clean, sanitary and safe manner at all times. All bathhouse supplies such as paper towels and toilet paper shall be available at all times.

(f) All structures and equipment at swimming pools shall be maintained in good repair at all times.

(g) For every pool a daily operating record shall be kept including pH, chlorine residual, number of bathers, time of recording, pressure differential (if applicable), and flow rate which shall be made available for checking by the County Health Officer during each inspection.

(h) A data sheet containing all operational data, particularly the pool volume, rate of flow, turnover rate, backwashing procedure, and for DE pools, pre-coat procedure shall be posted at the pool for all pools included in the operation. All valves shall be tagged or otherwise marked to follow the data sheets.

(i) At no time shall there be more swimmers in the pool than the number the pool was designed for.

(j) No person shall be permitted in the pool who has an obvious or known infection, cut, abrasion, or open blister.