Columbia Powers and duties of the director ordinance (§ 11-280)
Chapter 11: Health and Sanitation · Article VIII. Swimming Pools
In short: The city health director can make safety and sanitation rules for swimming pools, and the health department regularly inspects class A, B, C, E and F pools, seeking a warrant if an owner refuses. The director may allow substitutes for required fences, gates, doors and latches if they protect at least as well.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) The director of health services shall have the authority to make rules and regulations to ensure safe and sanitary operation of swimming pools. The health department shall inspect all class A, B, C, E and F swimming pools regularly. If a swimming pool owner or operator does not consent to a health department inspection of the swimming pool facilities, the health department code enforcement official shall make application for a warrant pursuant to chapter 15 of this Code.
(b) The director may permit other protective devices or structures to be used instead of the fencing, gates, doors and latches required by this article if the degree of protection afforded by the substitute devices or structures is not less than the protection afforded by the fence, gate, door and latch required by this article.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 11-280
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.