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CITY OF PALM DESERT
Building & Safety Department
73-510 Fred Waring, Palm Desert, CA (760) 776-6420
DEMOLITION OF IN-GROUND SWIMMING POOL/SPA
A demolition permit is required to regulate the demolition of a gunite in-ground swimming pool and/or spa to
ensure that the backfill materials and top soil in the pool area drain properly and that the materials are
adequately compacted to prevent future problems.
The concern is that the abandoned portion of the gunite in-ground swimming pool and/or spa will act as a bowl
and unregulated backfilling may create an area of super-saturated soil which could prove to be a hazard to public
safety. The other consideration is that there may be a future building or addition placed directly above the
abandoned swimming pool location and un-compacted fill would not be adequate to support the load, causing
the new structure to sustain structural damage as a result of differential settlement. It is important to note that
compliance with this procedure does not guarantee that a future addition of other building structures will be
allowed to be placed over the abandoned pool/spa. Much of that determination will depend on the codes in
effect at that future date as well as the engineer’s recommendation for the future structure.
Therefore, the following minimum requirements must be met:
• Obtain a demolition permit from the Building and Safety Department. You will need a site plan showing
the precise location of the swimming pool/spa and any other existing structures (i.e. garage and house).
Consult with a Geotechnical Engineer or Contractor for the proper backfill materials to be used. A
compaction report from a Soils Engineer is required at final inspection. Provide one copy to the inspector.
• Remove a two foot square section of the concrete gunite at the bottom of the pool at the lowest point in
the deep end of the pool and another two foot square section in the shallow end. Additionally, a one foot
section of concrete gunite must be removed from the bottom of the spa, if one exists. These removed
sections will permit any water accumulating in the remaining portion of the pool/spa to drain into the soil
below.
• Remove the pool coping, concrete gunite, and steel rebar around the entire perimeter of the pool and/or
spa to a level of at least 12 inches below grade.
• Remove all electrical conductors serving the abandoned pool/spa from the electrical panel and remove or
cap the vacated conduits. Also remove and cap any gas lines servicing the pool heater or similar
abandoned gas fired appliances.
• Call for an inspection of the work performed to this point. Do not backfill with any materials until the
Building Inspector has authorized you to proceed.
• Once approved to proceed then backfill the pool and/or spa with materials approved by your
Geotechnical Engineer or Contractor and have the Engineer test the soil compaction. Provide a
compaction report which states that a 90% (or better) compaction rating was achieved.
• Re-establish proper drainage slopes throughout the area.
• Schedule the final inspection with your Building Inspector.
1/31/2020