There is often a lot of confusion surrounding the subject of pool lift laws in public areas versus private residences. The misperception is that all pools require a pool lift, however, the ADA requires accessible entry in municipal pools, schools pools, government-owned, hotels, or any pool in general that caters to the public and promotes public recreation.

With the 2010 regulations, new or altered pools are required to have at least one means of entry and exit. Some pools may require two, for example, larger pools. To comply with ADA standards for large public swimming pools, a pool lift or sloped entry must be installed with another means of entry being a transfer system or pool stairs.

Public wade pools and spas are not omitted in this category. Public spas must also comply with the ADA standards, with either a lift, transfer system, or transfer wall.

Neighborhood pools protected by the Home Owners Association do not have to comply with ADA pool lift laws, as well, though once these pools are open to the public, the law takes effect. Any swim meets must be limited to family and friends, and closed to the public in order to the avoid compliance.

The gray area between these two types of facilities can make ADA compliance difficult to understand. To break it down, public swimming pools that are open to the public with memberships to anyone, rents to public groups, offers swim lessons to non-members, and hosts swim meets publicly must comply with the ADA regulations. While not all private swimming facilities are omitted from the laws, most facilities with a selective membership, membership lessons, and closed swim meets do not have to install a pool lift or other means of accessibility.