SB 205: Swimming Pools/Housing Regulatory Reform. - North Carolina

A1: ABR-21-V-2 → Edition 1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from an amendment version to a first edition of the full bill, with substantive changes to the scope of swimming pool regulations. The original amendment focused on prohibiting local health boards from regulating private pools serving single-family dwellings, while the new version clarifies exemptions for private pools used only by residents and their guests, including those accessed through sharing economy platforms like Airbnb. The bill also adds specific safety requirements for private pools offered on sharing economy platforms, such as fencing, signage, and maintenance standards.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a prohibition on local regulation to include specific safety requirements for private pools offered through sharing economy platforms, while maintaining exemptions for pools used exclusively by residents and their guests.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that private pools serving single-family dwellings are exempt from regulation even when fees are exchanged for access, provided the pool is used only by residents and their guests.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific safety requirements for private pools offered through sharing economy platforms, including fencing with self-latching gates, signage, lifesaving equipment, non-slip surfaces, suction outlet covers, and proper chemical maintenance.

DEFINITION

Added a definition for 'sharing economy platform' as an online platform used to facilitate peer-to-peer transactions for goods and services.

TECHNICAL

Converted document from amendment version to first edition of the full bill with updated formatting and sponsor information.

Filed → A1: ABR-21-V-2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill clarifies North Carolina's swimming pool regulations by explicitly exempting private pools serving single-family dwellings from local health board regulation, even when fees are exchanged for access through sharing economy platforms. The amendment adds specific minimum safety requirements for these private pools and clarifies definitions related to artificial swimming lagoons and sharing economy platforms. The bill also establishes a July 1, 2025 effective date for these changes.

Scope change

The bill expands the exemption from regulation to include private pools serving single-family dwellings used through sharing economy platforms, previously only exempt if used only by residents and their guests without fee exchanges.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed exemption criteria for private pools to include those used through sharing economy platforms when fees are exchanged, previously only exempt if used exclusively by residents and guests without fees.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific minimum safety requirements for private pools including proper fencing with self-latching gates, clear signage, lifesaving equipment, non-slip surfaces, suction outlet covers, and proper chemical maintenance.

DEFINITION

Clarified definitions of 'artificial swimming lagoon' and 'sharing economy platform' to provide clearer regulatory boundaries.

TIMELINE

Established July 1, 2025 as the effective date for the new provisions.

Edition 2 → Edition 3 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from a simple pool regulation clarification to a broader housing reform package. While the swimming pool provisions remain largely the same, the House Committee Substitute adds significant new content addressing local government development regulations and property use rights. This expansion changes the bill from a focused public health measure to a comprehensive housing policy reform.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from exclusively swimming pool regulations to include local government development regulations and property use rights clarifications.

SCOPE

Added new Part II addressing local government development regulations reform and clarifying that use rights on property are not extinguished by approval of additional use rights.

TECHNICAL

Changed the short title from 'Clarify Swimming Pool Laws/Priv. Pool Rentals' to 'Swimming Pools/Housing Regulatory Reform' to reflect the expanded scope.

Added 'House Committee Substitute Favorable 6/11/25' designation indicating this version was approved by the House Committee.

Removed the primary sponsor name (Senator Jarvis) and referred-to committee information from the header section.

Added line 6 to the act title to include 'REFORM LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS IN THIS STATE' and line 8 to clarify property use rights protections.

Edition 1 → Edition 2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was substantially rewritten to add a new Section 2 that prohibits local health boards from regulating private pools serving single-family dwellings, even when those pools are rented through sharing economy platforms. The original bill only amended the existing exemption for private pools, but the new version explicitly prevents local governments from creating additional rules for these pools. This represents a significant expansion of the exemption scope to block local regulatory authority over private pool rentals.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from merely clarifying existing exemptions to actively prohibiting local boards of health from regulating private pools serving single-family dwellings, including those used through sharing economy platforms.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new Section 2 that explicitly prohibits local boards of health from adopting rules concerning private pools serving single-family dwellings, which were previously exempt from regulation under G.S. 130A-280.

SCOPE

Changed the bill title from clarifying swimming pool laws to also prohibiting local regulation of private pools, expanding the legislative intent beyond technical amendments to include preemptive action against local ordinances.

TECHNICAL

Updated the referenced statute from G.S. 130A-280 to G.S. 130A-39(b) in the new Section 2, which governs local board authority rather than the scope of public pool regulation.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date section from Section 2 to Section 3, adding a new Section 2 for the prohibition on local regulation.

Swimming Pools/Housing Regulatory Reform.

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