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Iowa Pool Emergency Phone Law
Yes — Iowa rule 641—15.4(135I) requires the phone to be within an enclosure or building adjacent to the pool.
The Requirement
Iowa requires the emergency telephone to be located within an enclosure or building adjacent to the pool and available for emergency use.
Citation: 641—15.4(135I)
What This Means for Your Property
Placing the phone inside a pool house, cabana, or equipment room next to the pool typically satisfies Iowa's "adjacent building" language, as long as it stays accessible to swimmers and staff during pool hours.
Copper Landline Retirement Status in Iowa
Carriers across the U.S. are retiring traditional copper landlines. If your pool emergency phone still relies on a copper line in Iowa, that service can go dark without warning — which is why many properties are switching to cellular emergency phones.
| Carrier | Status | Retirement Date |
|---|---|---|
| Lumen (CenturyLink) | Active retirement program | Not yet announced |
Data provided by CHNLSYNC Copper Retirement Tracker .
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an emergency phone required at pools in Iowa?
Does the Iowa requirement apply to HOA and apartment pools?
Can a cellular emergency phone satisfy this requirement in Iowa?
Who enforces this requirement in Iowa?
Need Help With Compliance in Iowa?
SouthEast Telephone installs and monitors cellular emergency pool phones nationwide and can help you meet Iowa's requirements.
Information is provided for general reference only and is not legal advice. Codes change; always verify current requirements with your state or local building or health authority before making compliance decisions.
