Pool removal in Los Angeles, CA
What the official city page says about permits, plus free quotes from independent local crews. We are a referral service, not a contractor.
Who handles pool removal permits in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), Grading Division.
What the city page says
- The bulletin says abandoning a pool in the City of Los Angeles takes a grading permit under either of its two options.
- Option one removes the pool shell and backfills with structural fill compacted to 90 percent, backed by an approved lab’s compaction report and inspections.
- Option two leaves the shell in place and backfills with uncertified fill, which is limited to landscaping use, with a plot plan and drainage holes in the bottom.
Source: LADBS Information Bulletin P/BC 2026-111, Backfill of Swimming Pools (PDF) (Bulletin effective 2026). Summarized in our own words; rules and fees change.
Another local detail
LADBS’s companion form for filling a shell in place with uncertified fill requires a recorded covenant stating that differential settlement may occur and that the area will not support structures or slabs. That is a real long-term limit on what you can build there later.
Source: LADBS form PC-STR.Mod 44 (PDF), accessed Nov 2026.
What it costs
We do not have a sourced price for Los Angeles specifically. Published national guides put pool removal at roughly $5,000 to $10,000, with partial fill-ins at $3,000 to $7,000 and full removals at $5,000 to $15,000 (Fixr, Jan 2025). Read the full cost guide and the in-ground removal guide. Local quotes are the only way to know your price.
Other cities: Phoenix, Las Vegas, Tucson, Houston. See all.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to remove a pool in Los Angeles?
Check with Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), Grading Division. The bulletin says abandoning a pool in the City of Los Angeles takes a grading permit under either of its two options. The bulletin does not say whether a separate demolition permit is also required. Many LA-area addresses are in other cities, so check which city or county actually covers your address.
Who do I contact in Los Angeles about pool removal rules?
Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), Grading Division is the office whose page we read. Your address may fall under a different jurisdiction, so confirm it covers your property.
How much does pool removal cost in Los Angeles?
We do not have a sourced Los Angeles price. National guides put pool removal at about $5,000 to $10,000 overall, with in-ground partial fill-ins $3,000 to $7,000 and full removals $5,000 to $15,000. See the cost guide. Local quotes are the only way to know.
Does Backyard Removal Pros do the removal?
No. We are a free referral service that matches homeowners with independent local contractors.
Get free pool removal quotes in Los Angeles
Free to request. Tell us about the project and we will share it with up to 3 independent local contractors who may contact you with a quote. We are a referral service, not a contractor.