Special to IFN
A recent change to North Carolina’s public health laws exempts some residential pools used for short-term rentals from public swimming pool permit requirements — but the Iredell County Health Department wants residents to know that all traditional public pools will continue to be strictly regulated to ensure safety and water quality.
As of July 1, 2025, North Carolina General Statute §130A-280 has been amended to exempt certain residential pools used as short-term rentals, such as those listed on peer-to-peer sharing economy platforms, from requiring a public swimming pool permit.
However, this change does not affect the regulation and permitting of public swimming pools, which continue to be overseen by local public health departments across the state.
The Iredell County Health Department will continue its thorough permitting and inspection process for all public swimming pools in the county, including pools at hotels, apartment complexes, fitness centers, schools, and other public and semi-public facilities. This process helps ensure that water quality, safety equipment, and facility conditions meet strict health and safety standards.
“While the law now allows for some privately owned residential pools to be rented out on a short-term basis without a public pool permit, it is important for residents to know that the Iredell County Health Department’s oversight of public pools has not changed,” said Cameron Spencer, food protection and facilities supervisor. “We remain committed to preventing waterborne illness, injuries, and accidents by maintaining strong enforcement of public pool safety regulations.”
LEARN MORE
Residents can learn more about the Health Department’s environmental health services, including pool permitting and evaluation, at https://www.iredellcountync.gov/854/Food-Protection-and-Facilities.
For questions regarding pool safety, inspections, or permitting, please contact the Environmental Health Division by calling the Statesville office, 704-878-5305, Ext. 3456, or the Mooresville office, 704-660-3625.