Community Swimming Pool Regulations in the Valencian Community: 2026 Guide
Managing bathing areas in residential developments along the Costa Blanca and the rest of the Valencian Community is not just a matter of aesthetics, but a matter of serious legal responsibility. With the start of the summer season, it is essential that homeowners’ associations check whether they comply with the current community swimming pool regulations in order to avoid penalties that could jeopardize the building’s annual budget.
In this article, we look at the legal requirements, the role of the lifeguard, and health obligations under the current 2026 legal framework.
The legal framework: Decree 85/2018 and Royal Decree 742/2013
To understand the community swimming pool regulations for neighbors in our area, we must consider two layers of legislation. On the one hand, Royal Decree 742/2013 sets out the basic technical and health criteria at national level. On the other hand, and more specifically for our developments in Alicante and Valencia, the Decree 85/2018 of the Consell regulates the hygienic and health conditions of swimming pools for collective use.
Responsibilities of the Homeowners’ Association
The association, as the owner of the facility, is responsible for:
Maintaining water quality according to the applicable legal chemical parameters.
Ensuring the safety of users and the integrity of the facilities.
Reporting any health-related incidents to the Regional Ministry of Universal Health and Public Health.
The Health Control Register Book
It is mandatory to keep a register book—physical or digital—where daily checks are recorded for pH, disinfectant levels (chlorine), turbidity, and clarity/transparency. These records must always be available to the health inspectors of the Generalitat Valenciana.
Mandatory lifeguard at community pools: Requirements in the Valencian Community
In communities with less than 200 m2 of water surface area (common in small apartment blocks or private villas), the presence of a lifeguard is not required by law. However, the association remains responsible for safety and must comply with the rest of the assistance measures, such as having a first-aid kit and an emergency phone number.
Technical maintenance and disinfection in the Mediterranean climate
The maintenance of swimming pools in areas with high solar radiation, such as Alicante, requires a higher level of technical precision. Heat speeds up chlorine evaporation and the growth of microorganisms.
Required chemical parameters
For the water to be suitable for bathing according to the Regional Ministry of Health, it must meet the following:
pH: Between 7.2 and 7.6.
Residual free chlorine: Between 0.5 and 2.0 mg/l.
Isocyanuric acid: Maximum 75 mg/l (if stabilized chlorines are used).
Cleaning and pest control protocols
In addition to the water, the regulations require a cleaning and disinfection plan for the common areas (showers, changing rooms, and the pool’s beaches/terraces) and an in-force pest control contract (DDD). Failure to comply with these protocols may result in the facility being temporarily closed by local authorities.
Conclusion: Ensuring the association’s legal safety
Complying with the 2026 community swimming pool regulations should not be seen as a burden, but as the best way to protect owners’ property and the safety of bathers. In a tourist area like ours, having certified facilities is an unquestionable added value for any property.
Official reference: You can consult the full text of the Decree 85/2018 in the DOGV for specific details on licenses and penalties.
Frequently asked questions (2026 Regulations)
Is perimeter fencing mandatory in the Valencian Community?
Although Decree 85/2018 does not explicitly require fencing in all pre-existing communities, it does require measures to prevent children from gaining accidental access when the pool is not in use or when it is outside lifeguard hours.
Can an owner with outstanding debts use the pool this summer?
According to the latest amendment to the Horizontal Property Law (art. 21), the association may deny access to the pool to neighbors who have unpaid debts, provided it is approved at the General Meeting and it is not a discriminatory measure.
What happens if we don’t carry out monthly laboratory analyses?
This is considered a serious infringement. The monthly analyses carried out by accredited external laboratories are the only legal evidence the association has in the event of a possible complaint related to infection or a public health problem.
Is night swimming allowed in residential developments on the Costa Blanca?
The regulations do not categorically prohibit it, but most internal rules restrict it to avoid noise and because, legally, if there is not enough artificial lighting or no lifeguard during the established hours, liability in the event of an accident falls on the association.