Members and guests are expected to review and comply with PHRA’s Rules, Regulations, and Operating Procedures, as well as all other applicable policies. Violation of these Rules, Regulations, and Operating Procedures, or any other Policy may result in suspension of privileges or revocation of membership.

Guest Policies
Lap Lane Policies and Hours of Operation
Tennis Policies
Private Party Policies
Code of Conduct for Coaches and Volunteers

Rules, Regulations, and Operating Procedures

Part 1: Membership, Access, and Identification

  1. All members, families, nannies, and guests must register at the pool reception desk before entering.
  2. Members and guests must enter through the main entrance/bathroom. Side gate entry is permitted for strollers, wheelchairs, or those unable to use steps. Side gate may be used for exit.
  3. Facilities are limited to active members, renters, and guests with paid access.

Part 2: General Conduct and Facility Use

  1. Members, staff, and guests must treat others respectfully. Offensive, aggressive, abusive, or profane behavior are prohibited and may result in suspension or loss of privileges.
  2. Loitering in the men’s/women’s rooms is prohibited; showers must be limited to 15 minutes.
  3. Entry into restricted areas (e.g., office, guardroom, pump/filtration rooms, snack bar, or behind the desk) is prohibited for all members and guests, except Lifeguards, management personnel, and PHRA Board Members as required. Loitering around the registration area is prohibited.
  4. Use of private radios or sound equipment is prohibited unless earphones are used.
  5. Smoking or vaping of any kind is prohibited within the pool boundaries, including all grass areas.
  6. Use of skateboards is prohibited anywhere on PHRA property. Except for bicycles, all wheeled vehicles (e.g., mopeds, motorcycles, scooters) must be walked on paths. Bicycles are not allowed on the pool deck.
  7. PHRA is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to personal property, including items checked with staff.
  8. Members are financially responsible for damage caused by themselves or their guests.
  9. Changing diapers on picnic tables is prohibited.
  10. Use of the pool and facilities is at the member’s and guest’s own risk.

Part 3: Pool Operations and Management Authority

  1. Lifeguards are in full charge of the pool area and have authority over member and guest conduct.
  2. The Pool Manager ensures compliance with Fairfax County capacity limits.
  3. The Pool Manager may close the pool due to inclement weather at his/her discretion.
  4. At the sound of thunder, the pool, pavilion, and surrounding concrete decks will be cleared for 45 minutes.
  5. Unless otherwise authorized, pool use is permitted only during operating hours and when staff are on duty.
  6. The Pool Manager may apply a “three strikes” policy: after two warnings, a child or adult may be suspended from pool use for the remainder of the day. Longer restrictions or revocation of membership may be determined by the Board.
  7. Lifeguards may require any patron to sit out for a cooldown period of up to 15 minutes after a warning.

Part 4: Health and Hygiene Requirements

  1. All bathers must shower with soap before entering the pool and before reentering after active sports.
  2. Entry into the pool is prohibited for individuals with illness, open wounds, excessive sunburn, communicable disease, or bandages unless cleared by a physician.
  3. Expectoration (i.e., spitting) is prohibited.
  4. Pets are prohibited on pool premises except for authorized events (e.g., annual dog swim day on pool closing day at end of season).
  5. Children who are not toilet trained must wear swim diapers with a waterproof outer layer.

Part 5: Safety Rules

  1. Glass containers or breakable objects are prohibited within the pool boundaries, including all grass areas, unless otherwise approved by the Board.
  2. Running, pushing, horseplay, dunking, wrestling, unnecessary splashing, and use of waterpistol toys are prohibited.
  3. Non-swimmers must remain in shallow areas.
  4. Children under 11 must be supervised by an accompanying adult.
  5. Children under 10 must pass a swim test before using the diving board and/or swimming in the deep end.
  6. Throwing children in the pool is prohibited.
  7. Children wearing flotation devices must be within arm’s reach of a parent, and the parent must be in the water.
  8. Use of flotation devices on the diving board or slide is prohibited.
  9. Entry into water too deep to stand is prohibited for individuals unable to demonstrate adequate swimming ability.
  10. Pool steps must remain clear at all times; sitting or playing on steps is prohibited.
  11. Standing or sitting on another person’s shoulders or back in the pool is prohibited.
  12. Throwing objects into or from the pool is prohibited. Hand-sized, soft, nerf-type balls may be permitted at the discretion of the lifeguard during low-density periods.
  13. Wading pool use is limited to children 6 years old and younger, and only when a responsible adult is present in the wading pool area.
  14. Children 3 and under must be within arm’s reach of an adult while in the big pool.
  15. Non‑swimmer children aged two or younger may remain in the pool during rest periods only when accompanied by an adult

Part 6: Swimming Rest Periods

  1. A 15‑minute rest period will be called each hour before 8 p.m. or otherwise designated closing time.
  2. All children under 14 must leave the pool during rest periods, except as noted for non‑swimmers age two or younger.
  3. Children receiving swim lessons may remain in the pool during rest periods.

Part 7: Attire

  1. Only bathing suits are permitted in the swimming pool.
  2. PHRA is a family club; members and guests are asked to err on the side of modesty in attire.

Part 8: Food and Beverage

  1. Food is allowed and must be consumed only under the pavilion, on the upper deck, in grassy areas on the upper and lower decks, and in other designated areas on the pool deck.
  2. Snack bar service follows pool operating hours.

Part 9: Equipment and Personal Items

  1. Rafts, inner tubes, and similar items are prohibited except on designated raft (i.e., “float) nights. On those nights, rafts may be no larger than 3 feet in diameter or 3 feet by 5 feet. Inner tubes with metal filler caps are prohibited.
  2. The Pool Manager will determine when pool occupancy permits the use of acceptable floats, swim fins, etc.
  3. Kickboards are permitted for lap swimming only.

Part 10: Swim Instruction

  1. Swim lessons are only conducted by PHRA lifeguards, swim team members, or other individuals as authorized by the Board. Outside instructors are prohibited.
  2. Swim lessons are permitted in the lap lanes. For further information on this policy, please refer to Lap Lane Policies & Hours of Operation.