Buncombe County - Information for Pool Operators 2026

Flow meter must read within 5% for pools with documented flow reduction

We check the accuracy of the flow meter used to measure water turnover.

Must be: For pools with a documented flow reduction, the flow meter must read accurately within 5%, per its manufacturer's specs.

If it fails: Have the flow meter calibrated or replaced if it reads outside the 5% accuracy range.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Flow Meter Accuracy

Only the Dec 2025 Pool Drain Safety Compliance Form is accepted

We check that the drain safety compliance form on file is the current 'Revised December 2025' edition.

Must be: One current 'Revised December 2025' Pool Drain Safety Compliance form is required per pump system; older editions aren't accepted.

If it fails: Complete and submit the current 'Revised December 2025' compliance form for each pump system.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – PDSC Form Edition

County must be notified whenever a drain or equalizer cover is replaced

We check whether the county was notified after any main drain or equalizer cover was replaced.

Must be: The county health department must be notified anytime a main drain or equalizer cover is replaced.

If it fails: Notify the county's environmental health office of the replacement, even after the fact.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Cover Replacement Notice

Sump-measurement photos required if drain cover replaced on/after 2023-05-18

We check whether your main drain cover was replaced on or after May 18, 2023, and if so, whether sump measurement photos were submitted.

Must be: If the drain cover was replaced on or after May 18, 2023, photos of the sump measurements must be on file before a permit can be issued.

If it fails: Take clear photos of the drain sump measurements and submit them with your permit paperwork.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Sump Photos

Inspector must verify enclosure lighting before permitting nighttime use

We check the pool enclosure's lighting if you plan to allow swimming after dark.

Must be: Nighttime lighting must meet requirements and be verified by an inspector before the pool is permitted for after-dark use.

If it fails: Add or upgrade pool-area lighting so the space is well lit before requesting nighttime approval.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Nighttime Lighting

Pump/electrical repairs need licensed electrician plus county inspection

We check that any pump or electrical work was done by a licensed electrician and inspected.

Must be: Pump repairs or replacements and any wiring work must be completed by a licensed electrician and pass a separate electrical inspection.

If it fails: Hire a licensed electrician for any pump or wiring work and keep the electrical inspection approval on hand.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Electrical Work Sign-off

Emergency phone address/number must match sign, application, and GIS record

We test the poolside emergency phone and compare the address and number it reports against the posted sign, your application, and county records.

Must be: The emergency phone must ring back to the pool and report an address and number matching the sign, application, and county records.

If it fails: Update the phone's registered address and number so it matches your posted sign and permit application.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Emergency Phone Address Check

Cyanuric acid above 100 ppm now tested and can delay permit issuance

We test the pool water for cyanuric acid, the chlorine stabilizer level.

Must be: Cyanuric acid must stay at 100 parts per million or below.

If it fails: Dilute the pool with fresh water to bring cyanuric acid down, and switch to unstabilized chlorine going forward.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Cyanuric Acid Enforcement

Weekly recording of total alkalinity and cyanuric acid required

We check that total alkalinity and cyanuric acid readings are recorded weekly.

Must be: Total alkalinity and cyanuric acid levels must be logged at least once a week.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Weekly Records

Only the December 2025 revised permit application is accepted

We check that the permit application on file is the current 'Revised December 2025' edition.

Must be: Only the application form marked 'Revised December 2025' is accepted; older versions won't be processed.

If it fails: Download and resubmit the current 'Revised December 2025' application form.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Application Edition

Application, PDSC form, CPO certification, and payment must arrive together

We check whether the permit application, drain safety form, operator certification, and payment were all submitted together.

Must be: The application, drain safety form, operator certification, and payment must arrive together from the same sender in one package.

If it fails: Resubmit any missing pieces together as one complete package instead of sending them separately.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Bundled Submission

Document review may take up to 5 business days per submittal

We let you know that the county's review of your paperwork can take a few business days each time you submit.

Must be: The county may take up to 5 business days to review each submittal, and permitting visits aren't scheduled until everything is approved.

If it fails: Submit complete, accurate paperwork the first time to avoid extra 5-day review cycles for resubmittals.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Review Timeline

Documentation should be submitted at least 30 days before the permit visit

We check how far in advance your permit paperwork was submitted before your planned opening date.

Must be: All required documentation should be turned in at least 30 days before your permitting visit.

If it fails: Submit your permit documents as early as possible, ideally a month before you want your pool inspected and open.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Advance Submission

Seasonal permit fee is $200 per body of water (Apr 1–Oct 31)

We confirm the seasonal permit fee has been paid for your pool.

Must be: The seasonal permit fee is $200 per body of water, covering April 1 through October 31.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Seasonal Permit Fee

Year-round permit fee is $250 per body of water

We confirm the year-round permit fee has been paid for your pool.

Must be: The year-round permit fee is $250 per body of water.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Year-Round Permit Fee

Operator training on equipment, disease/injury, chemistry must be documented

We check that your pool operator's training records are on file.

Must be: Documentation must show your pool operator was trained on equipment operation, disease and injury prevention, water chemistry, and pool regulations.

If it fails: Have your pool operator complete an approved training course and keep the certificate on file.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Documented Operator Training

Daily written records: disinfectant, pH, temperature, drain checks, maintenance

We review the pool's daily logbook for required entries.

Must be: Someone must record disinfectant level, pH, water temperature (if heated), drain-cover checks, and maintenance activity every day.

If it fails: Set up a simple daily log sheet and assign someone to fill it in every day the pool is open.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Daily Records

Pool records must stay onsite at least six months

We check that your pool's water-quality and maintenance records are kept onsite.

Must be: Records must stay at the pool site for at least six months.

If it fails: Keep a binder or folder at the pool that holds at least the last six months of logs.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Record Retention

$75 revisit fee when a violation can't be fixed during the scheduled inspection

We let you know if a $75 revisit fee applies to your inspection.

Must be: A $75 revisit fee is charged if a problem can't be fixed on the spot and the inspector has to come back.

If it fails: Try to resolve any water-quality or safety issues before the inspector leaves to avoid the return-visit fee.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – Revisit Fee

MSD must be notified before draining a pool into the sewer system

We check whether MSD was notified before your pool was drained into the sewer system.

Must be: You must notify MSD and complete a Pool Discharge Check Sheet before releasing a large amount of pool water into the sewer.

If it fails: Call MSD and submit the Pool Discharge Check Sheet before your next big drain-down.

Buncombe County 2026 Pool Operator Letter (2026-02-04) – MSD Discharge Notice