Removing or filling a pool in Florida is not a simple contractor job — it requires a building permit, engineering drawings, and inspections. Here’s what the process actually involves.
Florida counties recognize two methods for removing a pool from a property, and they have different permit requirements, costs, and long-term implications:
Unlike most structural permits, pool demolition permits do not require complex wind load calculations. The engineering focus is on soil and drainage:
For partial fills, the engineer must also specify how the shell openings will be made and what inspection protocol the contractor should follow for each lift of fill.
Some contractors offer “cash demolitions” — filling the pool without a permit because it’s faster and cheaper. Here is why this is a serious mistake for the homeowner:
Florida Statute §689.261 requires sellers to disclose known facts materially affecting the value of real property. An unpermitted pool demolition is a material fact — especially if the fill was done improperly and could cause settlement or flooding. Failure to disclose can lead to lawsuits after the sale.
Title searches sometimes surface permits for the original pool construction but no matching demolition permit. A buyer’s attorney may demand proof that the demolition was properly permitted and inspected before closing. An unpermitted demolition can delay or block a sale.
If you later want to build a room addition, a patio slab, or any structure over the old pool footprint, the contractor will find the old pool void — improperly filled or not filled at all. Engineering a foundation over an unpermitted fill is expensive and uncertain.
A pool demolition done without proper compaction specifications can result in significant soil settlement over 3–10 years. The settled area can buckle a patio, damage a fence line, or even affect drainage toward the house foundation. The engineering specification for fill compaction exists precisely to prevent this — and without it, there is no accountability if the fill settles.
Engineering fee for a pool demolition permit: from $800 (Franca Engineering LLC). This includes the demolition plan, fill specification, PE seal, and response to any plan review comments.
County permit fees for pool demolition are typically lower than for construction permits — usually $100–$300 depending on the county. Total cost: typically $900–$1,200.
Engineering package from $800. Same-day proposal. PE-stamped drawings for all Florida counties.
Get Your Pool Demolition Permit Package →Yes. Pool demolition in Florida requires either a licensed pool contractor (CPC license) or a licensed general contractor (CGC or CBC) who is licensed for demolition work. An unlicensed contractor performing pool demolition is violating Florida Statute §489.127 — and the homeowner can face liability for contracting with an unlicensed person.
In most counties, yes — the screen enclosure must be permitted separately for demolition, or the pool demolition permit must include the enclosure removal. If the enclosure was never permitted, the county may require an after-the-fact permit for the enclosure before issuing the pool demolition permit. We handle both situations.
For most residential pool demolitions, no soil test is required. The engineer specifies fill materials and compaction requirements based on the county’s minimum standards for residential backfill. A geotechnical report may be required for unusually deep pools or when the fill area is close to the house foundation.
Many counties offer after-the-fact permitting for unpermitted pool demolitions, but the process is more complex: the engineer must document what was actually done (often requiring excavation to verify the fill condition), and the county may require compaction testing. If the fill is found to be inadequate, remediation may be required before the permit can close. Contact us for a case-by-case assessment.
A one-page PE-built checklist: every document your county needs and the 5 reasons permits get rejected. Enter your email for instant access to the PDF.