It is budget season for community associations, and one question belongs on the agenda before the 2027 numbers are final: do HOA pool regulations in Georgia require your pool to hold a health department permit? It depends on which rule applies in your county, who may use the pool, and how your county environmental health office reads the text. The state rule and the county rules posted for Glynn and Camden counties do not say the same thing.

Below is what each document says and where the wording is unclear. This is general information, not legal advice; confirm how the rules apply to your pool with your county environmental health office and your association's attorney.

HOA pool regulations in Georgia: what the state rule says

The state rule is Georgia Department of Public Health Rule 511-3-5, "Public Swimming Pools, Spas, and Recreational Water Parks." Rule 511-3-5-.03 says it is unlawful to operate a public pool, spa or recreational water park "without having first obtained a valid operating permit from the health authority."

The definition in Rule 511-3-5-.01 is broad. It covers pools "shared and used by the public," whether or not a fee is charged, and names pools "operated by or serving" a list that includes "condominiums" and "associations."

Then comes the exemption. Rule 511-3-5-.02(3) says the rules "shall not apply to" several kinds of pools, including "apartment complex pools, country club pools, subdivision pools which are open only to residents of the subdivision and their guests." The statute, O.C.G.A. § 31-45-3, uses nearly the same words.

Rule 511-3-5-.02(4) adds that the state chapter applies in counties "where local rules and regulations governing public swimming pools were not in effect on 31 December 2000." The state text itself points toward local rules.

What the Glynn and Camden county documents say

The Coastal Health District posts a separate rule document for each of its counties on its public swimming pools page. Ours are titled "Rules of Glynn County Department of Public Health" and "Rules of Camden County Department of Public Health," Chapter 511-3-5. They follow the state numbering, but the exemption paragraph is shorter.

In both county documents, paragraph 511-3-5-.02(3) lists only private pools and spas serving a single-family dwelling, certain therapeutic pools and chambers, and religious ritual baths. The words "apartment complex pools," "country club pools" and "subdivision pools" do not appear in that paragraph. Both county definitions of "public swimming pool" still name "condominiums" and "associations."

Read on its face, the county text does not carry the subdivision exemption found in the state rule. The district's pool page says: "All public pool, spa, or recreational water parks must obtain a valid operating permit from the local health authority."

What we could not confirm

Dates. The county files were posted in late October 2025. We did not find an adoption or effective date in the portions we could read.
How each office applies it. We could not confirm whether Glynn or Camden environmental health treats every resident-only subdivision pool as a permitted public pool.
How the layers fit together. The state statute excludes resident-only subdivision pools; the county text does not repeat that exclusion. Which controls is a legal question for your association's attorney and the county office, not a pool company.
The wording itself. Even in the state rule, "associations" sits in the definition while "subdivision pools" sits in the exemption. A condominium pool, or a subdivision pool with outside memberships, swim meets or short-term rental guests, may not fit the phrase "open only to residents of the subdivision and their guests."

Five questions to answer before your annual meeting

Which county is the pool in? Glynn, Camden, or Nassau County, Florida.
Who can use it? Owners and guests only, or also renters, vacation guests, outside members, a swim team or party rentals.
What kind of community is it? Single-family subdivision, condominium, townhomes or a mix.
Has the pool ever held an operating permit? Look for a posted permit or old inspection reports in the association's files.
Is construction or remodeling planned? Rule 511-3-5-.03 calls for plan review before work on a regulated pool begins.

Then call county environmental health, describe the pool and ask. Get the answer in writing.

If the pool is covered: what a permit involves

Among other things, Rule 511-3-5 calls for an operating permit displayed near the main entrance and valid for no more than twelve months (511-3-5-.03), health inspections at least once a season or twice a year for year-round pools (511-3-5-.23), a trained operator who visits at least twice a week, chlorine and pH tests at least twice a day during operating hours (511-3-5-.22), and required signs, lifesaving equipment and an emergency phone able to reach 911 (511-3-5-.18).

If the pool is exempt: what still applies

The federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act has its own definition of "public pool and spa," which includes pools open exclusively to residents of a "residential real estate development," and it requires compliant anti-entrapment drain covers (15 U.S.C. § 8003). A state exemption does not change that.

An exempt community can still choose to run its pool to the public-pool standard: logged water tests, working safety equipment, an emergency phone and clear signs.

A note for Amelia Island communities

Pools in Fernandina Beach, Yulee and the rest of Nassau County fall under Florida law. Chapter 514, Florida Statutes, defines public swimming pools to include pools serving subdivisions, and s. 514.031 makes it unlawful to operate one without a permit from the Florida Department of Health. Section 514.0115 exempts homeowners' association pools serving no more than 32 units or parcels from supervision "except for supervision necessary to ensure water quality." Confirm with the Florida Department of Health in Nassau County.

Commercial and HOA pool service on the Georgia coast

Jeff's Pool & Spa Service has served coastal Georgia for more than 25 years and maintains community, condominium and commercial pools from Brunswick and St. Simons Island to St. Marys and Amelia Island. Our commercial contracts include daily chemical logs, emergency-phone compliance and health-department permit support. Our technicians are CPO certified, and we are fully insured and can name your association as additional insured on request.

Not sure where your pool stands? Contact us and we will walk the pool with you and help you prepare questions for the county.

Brunswick and the Golden Isles: (912) 554-0636
St. Marys, Kingsland and Amelia Island: (912) 576-3636

Frequently asked questions

Are there new HOA pool rules in Georgia?
The scope section of the state rule, 511-3-5-.02, has been in effect since January 31, 2017. What coastal boards should notice is local: the Glynn and Camden county rule documents posted by the Coastal Health District do not repeat the state's subdivision-pool exemption.

Does a subdivision pool need a health department permit in Georgia?
The state rule exempts "subdivision pools which are open only to residents of the subdivision and their guests." The county documents posted for Glynn and Camden do not include that exemption. Ask your county environmental health office how it treats your pool.

Is a condominium pool treated differently from a subdivision pool?
Possibly. The definition names "condominiums" and "associations," while the state exemption mentions subdivision, apartment complex and country club pools. The rule does not spell out where a condominium pool falls, so ask.

Do the board's own HOA swimming pool rules replace health department rules?
No. House rules on hours, guests and conduct are the association's own. Health department rules, where they apply, cover water quality, safety equipment, signs and permits.

HOA Pool Regulations in Georgia: Does Your Community Pool Need a Health Department Permit?