Maryland Department of Labor and Maryland Department of Health

Public Meeting and Hearing on Proposed Regulations for Adoption of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code

July 19, 2023

The Maryland Department of Labor (MDL) and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) will hold three public meetings across the state on the adoption of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), as enacted by the Maryland General Assembly (House Bill 303, Ch. 730, Acts of 2022).  The three meetings will provide details on how the two departments plan to implement the new law, and how stakeholders can comment on the regulations when they are proposed.  The three meetings will be held on the following dates: 

• Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 9 - 12, Chesapeake College Building Higher Education Center (HEC) Room 110, 1000 College Circle, Wye Mills, MD  21679.  
• Thursday, July 27, 2023, 9-12, Frederick County Health Department Conference Room, 350 Montevue Lane, Frederick MD  21702.
• Friday, July 28, 2023, 9 - 12, virtual @ (https://meet.google.com/jek-edym-jja).   

Questions regarding attending a meeting, please contact: Brian Flynn, 410 767-8417 or Brian.Flynn@maryland.gov.  

Questions regarding joining the virtual meeting, please contact: Tiffany Jones, 410 767- 2182 or  TiffanyR.Jones@maryland.gov

Comments in lieu of attendance can be sent to: dli.regulations+pool@maryland.gov

The new law requires MDL to adopt by regulation the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) after review and consultation with MDH. The standards adopted would apply to all new swimming pools and spas, including residential pools and spas, in Maryland for which an application for a construction permit is received by a local jurisdiction on or after December 31, 2023.  

Among the questions being considered by the two departments are: (1) the proposed regulatory approach to the adoption of the ISPSC for pools and spas constructed on or after December 31, 2023; (2) the definition of “substantial and material structural change” that would trigger the ISPSC for currently existing pools; (3) possible adoption by the Department of Health of ANSI/PHTA/ICC-2 2023, the American National Standard for Public Pool and Spa Operations and Maintenance, for all regulated pools as a replacement for the existing Code of Maryland Regulations 10.17.01; and (4) whether to maintain the current standard of a 72 inch barrier height for public pools.  

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​2020 Update to Critical/Major Violations, Permitting Proce​ss, Standardization, and Other Revisions

Changes to COMAR 10.17.01 (Effective ​Nov. 2, 2020)​

2017 Presentations and Materials (historic)

• Slides from October 25, 2017 workgroup meeting in Wye Mills, Maryland (PDF)
• Notes from October 25, 2017 workgroup meeting on critical violations (PDF)
• Slides presented at October 11, 2017 Public Meeting in Wye Mills, Maryland (PDF)
• ​Slides presented at March 30, 2017 Public Meeting in Wye Mills, Maryland (PDF)
• Attendees at March 30, 2017 Public Meeting in Wye Mills, Maryland (PDF)
• January 2017 Draft of COMAR 10.17.01 with keys to comments received (PDF)
• Comments received on 2017 Draft of COMAR 10.17.01 (PDF)

2015 - 2016 Presentations and Materials (historic)

• September 2015 Draft of COMAR 10.17.01 (PDF)
• Comments received on 2015-2016 proposal (keyed to 2015 Draft) (PDF)
  

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