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Maryland Pool Emergency Phone Law

Yes — Maryland regulation COMAR 10.17.01.21 requires a telephone within the pool enclosure or an adjacent area.

Citation: COMAR 10.17.01.21

The Requirement

Maryland requires public pools to have a telephone capable of contacting emergency services, located within the pool enclosure or an adjacent area.

Citation: COMAR 10.17.01.21

What This Means for Your Property

"Adjacent area" gives some flexibility for pools without room inside the fenced enclosure, but the phone still needs to be close enough for someone to reach it quickly during an emergency.

Copper Landline Retirement Status in Maryland

Carriers across the U.S. are retiring traditional copper landlines. If your pool emergency phone still relies on a copper line in Maryland, that service can go dark without warning — which is why many properties are switching to cellular emergency phones.

Carrier Status Retirement Date
No active copper retirement programs currently reported for carriers in Maryland.

Data provided by CHNLSYNC Copper Retirement Tracker .

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is an emergency phone required at pools in Maryland?
Yes — Maryland regulation COMAR 10.17.01.21 requires a telephone within the pool enclosure or an adjacent area.
Does the Maryland requirement apply to HOA and apartment pools?
In most cases, yes. Maryland's pool phone requirement generally applies to any public or semi-public pool, which typically includes HOA, condo, and apartment community pools, not just commercial facilities. Confirm with your local health department if you're unsure how your specific pool is classified.
Can a cellular emergency phone satisfy this requirement in Maryland?
Generally yes — most states, including Maryland, don't require a traditional landline specifically. A dedicated cellular emergency phone that reliably dials emergency services without extra steps is typically an acceptable way to meet the requirement, particularly for pools that don't already have phone lines run to the deck.
Who enforces this requirement in Maryland?
Enforcement is usually handled by the state or local health department (or a building/safety code office) as part of routine pool inspections and licensing, sometimes with extra rules added at the county level. If you're unsure which office covers your property, your local health department is the best place to start.

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Need Help With Compliance in Maryland?

SouthEast Telephone installs and monitors cellular emergency pool phones nationwide and can help you meet Maryland's requirements.

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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.

Emergency Pool Phone Service Offer Details

Limited time offer; subject to change; available to new (no SoutheastTelephone services within past 30 days) and existing SoutheastTelephone Service customers in good standing with SoutheastTelephone Service who meet eligibility requirements. Offer subject to 36 month agreement. Taxes and fees extra in select states. Additional charge for equipment. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Paperless Billing required. Restrictions apply.

Network Performance

SoutheastTelephone Service cellular voice service runs on ATTs network. Results may vary. Not an endorsement. WiFi not tested.

Get Help Choosing the Right Solution

Not sure which requirements apply to your pool, elevator, or fire system? Need help replacing a landline? We're here to make it easy. Our team can answer questions, review your local requirements, and recommend the best setup for your property.

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Have a question? Need support? Want to review communication requirements for your area? Send us a message, and a team member will get back to you as soon as possible.

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