Southern Nevada Health District Pool Inspection Checklist
The 9 violations that close a pool immediately
If an SNHD inspector finds any of these, expect the pool to be closed and fined on the spot.
- Loose, damaged, or missing main drain covers
- Poor water clarity
- Missing or inadequate depth markers
- Non-functional re-circulating systems
- Non-compliant enclosures (gates and fencing)
- Fecal matter anywhere in or around the pool or spa
- Improperly working GFCI or pool lighting
- No detectable disinfectant
- Absence of life-saving equipment
Inspection checklist by area
Use this before every scheduled inspection and after any vandalism, storm, or equipment change.
Gates and fencing
- All pool-area gates must be self-closing and self-latching.
- Fencing may not have a gap over four inches between bars or four inches from the ground.
- Latches and hinges are checked every visit; a failed gate is one of the fastest ways to get a pool closed.
Decking and lounge furniture
- Decking must be free of trip hazards such as raised sections, cracked expansion joints, or cracked depth markers.
- Deck surfaces must not be abrasive and no aggregate should show.
- Trash cans, furniture, and walls must be at least four feet from the pool edge, including coping and steps.
- Decks must drain away from the pool and into proper drains.
Coping
- All coping around the pool and spa must be solid and sit flush with the deck.
- The joint between decking and coping must be sealed with mastic at all times; unsealed joints let water under the deck and cause shifting, cracking, and hollow coping.
Plaster
- Plaster in pools and spas must be crack-free and in good condition.
- Plaster must be free of delamination, rough spots, and algae.
Tile and depth markers
- Waterline tile must be crack-free.
- Correct depth marker tiles must be present on the interior of the pool and legible at all times.
- Numbering of depth markers must match the deck markers.
Emergency shut-off switch
- All spas must have a working, clearly labeled emergency shut-off switch.
Skimmers
- All skimmers must be crack-free with weirs (flaps) attached.
- Skimmer baskets must be present at all times and periodically removed for cleaning.
Life rings, rescue pole, and signs
- A life ring must be present and easily accessible with a 3/16-inch rope attached that can reach across the widest area of the pool.
- A rescue pole with a shepherd's hook, at least 12 feet long (no retractable poles), must be next to the life ring.
- All required signs must be present without faded lettering: No Lifeguard on Duty, pool and spa occupancy, pool rules, spa caution, CPR, No Diving, 911 sign, and emergency shut-off switch sign.
Water chemistry
- Chlorine, pH, and cyanuric acid are checked and recorded at every inspection.
- Chlorine must be at least 1.0 ppm (3.0 ppm in spas).
- pH must stay between 7.2 and 7.8.
- Cyanuric acid must stay below 100 ppm; if it is high, the pool must be drained and refilled.
Time clocks and chemical feeders
- All pool, spa, and water systems must run on a 24-hour time clock.
- Chlorine must be dispensed automatically through a chlorinator or feeder on the return line, never hand-broadcast.
Flow meters, vacuum, and pressure gauges
- Flow meters and gauges must work so the pump's gallons-per-minute can be read.
- The pool must meet its required turnover rate, typically six hours for pools and 30 minutes for spas.
Pump room and records
- The pump room must be kept clean, neat, and free of trash and stored chemicals that do not belong there.
- Health records with service dates and chemical readings must be kept in the pump room and available to the inspector.
- Leaks must be fixed immediately.
Important recommendations
- Hire a pool service and repair company certified by the Southern Nevada Health District and licensed by the Nevada State Contractors Board. Unlicensed companies, including many landscaping companies, violate state law and can get your pool closed and your association fined. Verify a license at nscb.nv.gov or (702) 486-1100, and confirm the company holds an A-10E classification.
- Drain and refill pools and spas at least once a year to keep cyanuric acid and total dissolved solids within limits.
- Replace broken or missing vacuum, pressure gauges, and weir blades. Install new lights when the pool is drained.
- Keep health records in the pump room with service dates and chemical readings.
Pool inspection FAQs
What happens when SNHD closes a swimming pool?
The inspector posts no-entry signs on the pool gates and sends the report to the management company. Violations must be corrected immediately and fines paid. Additional inspections are scheduled, and the pool reopens only after approval. Gator Pools corrects the violation, documents the fix, and schedules the reinspection.
How much is an SNHD pool violation fine?
Fines vary by violation and repeat status; Gator Pools' field experience is that a single imminent-health-hazard closure commonly runs several hundred dollars before reinspection fees. The real cost is a closed amenity during summer and resident complaints.
Should we drain our commercial pool every year?
Yes. SNHD recommends draining and refilling pools and spas at least once a year. Unchanged water builds cyanuric acid and resists chlorination; if cyanuric acid exceeds 100 ppm the pool must be drained. Las Vegas pool water is reclaimed and treated by the Water Authority, so draining is not wasted water.
Can Gator Pools get our pool ready before a scheduled inspection?
Yes. We run the full checklist above, correct what we find, and can be on site during the inspection. Call (702) 795-9596 or email info@gatorpoolslasvegas.com for a free pre-inspection consultation.
Don't get caught by the health district during your next inspection.
Gator Pools makes SNHD pool inspections quick and easy. Call for a free pre-inspection consultation.