Pools and Water Attractions

We are contracted by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection to license and inspect pools and water attractions. Pools and water attractions must comply with ATCP 76 (Safety, Maintenance, and Operation of Public Pools and Water Attractions) and SPS 390 (Design and Construction of Public Swimming Pools and Water Attractions).  These codes address pool safety and water quality to ensure operators are providing a safe experience for their patrons.

Pool and Water Attraction Licensing Information

If you are thinking of opening a pool or water attraction facility in Sauk County, please take the time to review the following information about the licensing process and requirements. It is against the law to operate a pool or water attraction without a license.

• Construction Approval

  • Before a new pool or water attraction can be licensed, the following steps must occur:
    • An engineering company must draft plans for the pool or water attraction and submit them to DSPS for approval.
    • Once the plans are approved, construction may begin.
    • After the facility is built, a final inspection is done by DSPS and a completion statement is given to the pool operator. The operator needs to retain this completion statement.

• VGBA Compliance and Documentation

  • The Virginia Graeme Baker Act (VGBA) was enacted to prevent entrapment related deaths in pools. This law requires that compliant drain grates and equalizer covers are installed, maintained, and current.
  • The following documentation needs to be obtained and kept in order to maintain compliance with the VGBA:
    • Completion Statement from DSPS
    • Engineer's report/plans
    • Invoice/receipt for drain and/or equalizer cover purchase

• Certified Pool Operator

  • At least one Certified Pool Operator or Certified Water Attraction Operator must be staffed at water attractions. See the license types below to determine if the facility meets the definition of a water attraction.
  • Certified Pool Operator certification information can be found on the National Swimming Pool Foundation website.

• Application

  • A completed License Application must be submitted to the public health department with the correct fees enclosed.
  • If you are unsure of the type of license your establishment requires after reviewing this document, please contact us at (608) 355-3290.
  • The application can be found in the supporting documents below.

• License Types

  • License type is determined by type of basin or activity.
  • The license types are:
    • Public Pool: swimming, whirlpool, wading Pool, combination, diving, exercise, mobile, therapy
    • Water Attraction: activity, interactive play attraction, leisure river, plunge, vanishing edge, vortex, wave, zero-depth entry
    • Water attraction with up to two slides: up to two pool slides per basin. Additional fees are added for each additional slide.

• Pre-inspection

  • A pre-inspection will be conducted when you are ready to start operating. A pre-inspection is to ensure that the facility has the appropriate design, equipment, and management to comply with the Pool Code and SPS 390.
  • Once your application has been submitted, a sanitarian will contact you to schedule the pre-inspection.
  • Keep in mind that a new license, including change of ownership, requires the facility to get into full compliance before a license is issued.

• Your License, Routine Inspections, and License Renewals

  • Your license is valid for one year from July through the following June. If you are licensed in April, May, or June, your license will not expire until June 30 of the following year.
  • You will have at least one annual inspection during the license year (not calendar year). If there are any complaints attributed to your establishment, additional inspections will be conducted.
  • Renewal notices for annual license fees are sent out in April of each year. Annual license fees are due by the end of June.
  • If the license fee is not received or post marked by June 30, a late fee will be charged.

• Licensing Fees

  • If you do not understand which fees are applicable to the licensing of your business, please call us at (608) 355-4327 before submitting your application and fees.

• Frequently Asked Questions