Announcements
New Training Webinar: This webinar is designed to provide information about the changes to ATCP 76. Questions and comments may be sent to datcpdfrsrec@wisconsin.gov. |
Information for Pool Operators About New VGBA Requirements and Drain Cover Replacement: In 2021, manufacture of drain covers meeting the 2008 VGBA standard stopped and ‘2017’ drain cover manufacture began. The ‘2017’ standard is intended to improve the safety of the drain covers and will have more specific instructions about their installation when replacing drain covers. ‘2008’ covers may still be used until their supply runs out and may stay in place until expired. However, when you install a ‘2017 ’cover, you are required to follow those specific instructions for installation and may not use any 2008 instructions. For more information on this topic, read the bulletin that was sent out to industry on April 3, 2024.
Red Cross Lifeguard update: For those who have a Red Cross Lifeguard certificate earned before January 1, 2024, that certificiate, including the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) portion, will be valid for two years. Any Red Cross Lifeguard courses taken on or after January 1, 2024, must be accompanied by an annual recertification in an approved level CPR course. For a listing of approved courses, consult this Approved Lifeguard Courses document. For more details, please see the Policy.
Pool Operator Certification courses: ATCP 76 requires a certified operator for a public pool that is a water attraction. As of September 24, 2023, a certified operator will also be required for any public pool that has had two reinspections in a three-year period. A certified operator will continue to be required for water attractions.
Currently, Wisconsin approves the following courses for certified operators:
Wisconsin requires a public pool license for all public swimming pools and water attractions in Wisconsin. Licenses can be issued to individuals, partnerships, corporations or other legal entities. A pool or water attraction is not a public pool if it serves fewer than three individual residences, unless it is used on a regular basis by persons other than the residents.
Pool licenses are determined by calculating complexity and considering if there are any features present at the pool.
Note: If the swimming pool has not been constructed yet, the operator must contact a Wisconsin registered engineer to design and submit plans to the Department of Safety and Professional Services for review. Once the plans are approved, construction can begin. When construction is complete, an inspector from the
Department of Safety and Professional Services must perform an inspection and approve the installation before DATCP begins the licensing process.
Duration
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Each license issued by DATCP expires June 30 of each year.
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License dates extend from July 1 of one year through June 30 of the following year.
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If a license is granted after April 1 of a license year, that license will extend to June 30 of the following year.
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Example: If a business is licensed by the department on April 1, 2019, then its license will expire June 30, 2020.
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Renewal fees for existing establishments shall be submitted to DATCP before June 30 each year.
Fees
Type of Facility
| License Fee
| Preinspection Fee
| First Reinspection Administrative Follow-up Fee
| Second and Subsequent Reinspection or Administrative Follow-up Fee
| Late Fee
|
Simple pool
| $200
| $200
| $100
| $150
| $40
|
Simple pool w/ features
| $332
| $332
| $100
| $150
| $66
|
Moderate pool
| $300
| $300
| $100
| $150
| $60
|
Moderate pool w/ features
| $432
| $432
| $100
| $150
| $75
|
Complex pool
| $375
| $375
| $100
| $150
| $75
|
Complex pool w/ features
| $507
| $507
| $100
| $150
| $101
|
Pool owners can determine their license fee according to the new structure for complexity and features by using this
complexity category calculator.
Prerequisites
Prior to construction of a new public swimming pool, plans must be approved by the
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.
Instructions
- To obtain a license through DATCP, call (608) 224-4923 or email our licensing specialists.
- The licensing specialist will get you the information you need and will explain the process steps.
2023 Code Revision Webinars
ATCP 76 Changes Overview
ATCP 76 - Q&A Session #1
ATCP 76 - Q&A Session #2
For a compiled list of questions asked and answered during these sessions, click here.