Pool removal in Houston, TX
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 Houston
Houston Permitting Center, Community Code Enforcement (Plumbing and structural inspections are separate Permitting Center groups).
What the city page says
- A registered master plumber first obtains a sanitary sewer disconnect permit, which Plumbing Inspections must approve.
- You then apply through iPermits for a pool or spa Demolition / Fill & Grading permit. The form lists a minimum fee of $94 plus a $33.56 administrative fee.
- The pool must be drained without sending the water to the storm sewer, openings are punched in the slab, and a site inspection is required before any backfill goes in.
- Backfill is specified as Class 2 granular fill placed in 12-inch lifts and compacted to 90 percent, and demolition debris may not be used as fill.
Source: Houston Form CE-1090, Specifications for Demolition of Swimming Pools/Spas (PDF) (Form revised Jan 2026). Summarized in our own words; rules and fees change.
Another local detail
The same form warns that adding fill in a floodplain may require mitigation, which matters in a city with a lot of flood-prone ground.
Source: Houston Form CE-1090 (PDF), accessed Nov 2026.
What it costs
We do not have a sourced price for Houston 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, Orlando. See all.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to remove a pool in Houston?
Check with Houston Permitting Center, Community Code Enforcement. A registered master plumber first obtains a sanitary sewer disconnect permit, which Plumbing Inspections must approve. The form is dated January 2026 and fees can change, so confirm the current fee with the Permitting Center.
Who do I contact in Houston about pool removal rules?
Houston Permitting Center, Community Code Enforcement (Plumbing and structural inspections are separate Permitting Center groups) 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 Houston?
We do not have a sourced Houston 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 Houston
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.