Who is responsible for pulling the pool removal permit — homeowner or contractor?

In most US jurisdictions, the licensed contractor is responsible for pulling the demolition permit before work begins. This protects the homeowner because the permit legally places the contractor on the hook for code compliance and insurance during the project. However, homeowners can pull permits themselves in some states if they certify they are doing the work personally, which is not advisable for pool removal due to the complexity of compaction requirements. Always clarify permit responsibility in your written contract before signing. If a contractor asks you to pull your own permit for their work, this is a significant red flag that they may not be properly licensed in your jurisdiction.

Why Trust This Answer?

This answer was reviewed by the TopPoolRemoval editorial team. We base our pricing, timeline, and permit estimates on real-world data from licensed demolition contractors across the United States. Figures are updated annually to reflect current local market conditions, soil variables, and municipal code changes.