Pinole Pool Demolition and Fill-In
Pools removed under a city demolition permit, with engineered or uncertified fill chosen to match what you plan for the area.
Learn more about pinole pool demolition and fill-in
Pool Removal, Pavers and Landscaping for Pinole Homes
Cicarelli Contractors is a CSLB-licensed general contractor (#1109419, B General Building) based in Richmond, just south on I-80. From the historic downtown near the bay to Pinole Valley and the hills above it, we remove pools and concrete, lay pavers, build retaining walls and install turf, and we apply for the permit online.
- Pinole eTRAKiT permits submitted for you
- CSLB License #1109419
Contra Costa County
Bay Shoreline, Creek and Valley
The city incorporated in 1903, a few decades after the railroad arrived, and much of its turn-of-the-century downtown still stands. Pinole Creek runs through town, and more than half of its 11.8 square miles is water on San Pablo Bay. After I-80 was built in 1958, new housing spread into the valley and the hills.
Homes here are permitted by the Building Division at City Hall, 2131 Pear Street. Applications are online only through eTRAKiT, paper and email submittals are no longer accepted, and every party doing business in town needs a city business license before a permit is issued.
Services for local yards
From Pool Shell to Finished Patio, One Crew
Looking for landscaping in Pinole, CA with a permit behind it? We handle the demolition, the base and the build, and we file the application through the city's online portal.
Get A Free EstimateSlab and Driveway Breakout
Old driveways, patios and pool decks removed with a mini excavator, and the base compacted for the new surface.
Learn more about slab and driveway breakout
Pavers Cut Around Trees and Planters
Pavers laid on a compacted base and cut around tree rings, planters and steps for a clean finished edge.
Learn more about pavers cut around trees and planters
Retaining Walls for Pinole Slopes
Block walls with drainage behind them; anything taller than 4 feet from the footing, or holding a surcharge, gets a city permit.
Learn more about retaining walls for pinole slopes
Turf With Flagstone Paths
Artificial turf on a drained base, paired with flagstone or paver paths so the lawn stays clean.
Learn more about turf with flagstone paths
Patio Covers and Cooking Areas
Patio covers, outdoor kitchens and seating areas built where an old pool or slab used to be.
Learn more about patio covers and cooking areas
Watch the work
Three Pool Demolitions and a Retaining Wall on Camera
These clips show our crew on real jobs: pool demolitions in San Ramon, Hillsborough and Vacaville, and a retaining wall in Walnut Creek. The same people and machines come to Pinole.
Watch On YouTubeWhy choose us
What a Licensed Crew From the Next City South Brings
4.9★
Rating on 45 Google reviews
1903
Year the city incorporated
4ft
Wall height that triggers a permit
Class B License, Active Bond
CSLB License #1109419 in the B General Building class, with an active bond.
Free Estimate, Written Fast
A written, itemized estimate within 24 hours of the site visit, at no cost.
Online Filing and Scheduling
We apply through eTRAKiT and book each inspection window in the same portal.
Twelve-Month Workmanship Warranty
A 1-year workmanship warranty, written into the contract, starts when the job is complete.
Before and after
Real Yards, Shown Before and After Our Work
Move each slider to compare finished Cicarelli jobs from other Bay Area cities. Pool sites and steep yards like these are common in the valley and the hills here too.
See All Projects
BeforeAfterPavers Over a Former Pool Site
Pool removal and pavers
BeforeAfterPool Filled, Lawn Laid
Pool removal and turf
BeforeAfterTerraced Steps on a Hillside
Steps, walls and turf
The local process
What Happens Between Your Call and the Final Inspection
You keep the same contact for the whole job, permit included.
Start With A Free Estimate- Step 01
First Look at the Yard
We measure, check the access and note the pool, slab or slope involved.
- Step 02
Itemized Estimate
A written quote covers the work, the permit and the fill option for any pool.
- Step 03
Application in eTRAKiT
We upload the plans and documents online, since paper filings are no longer accepted.
- Step 04
Demolition and Fill
The shell or slab comes out, pool utilities are capped or removed and the fill is compacted.
- Step 05
Inspections Scheduled Online
We book AM or PM windows, Monday to Thursday, through the portal.
- Step 06
Finished Yard, Covered Work
Pavers, turf or a patio go in, with a 1-year workmanship warranty.
What Two Google Reviewers Wrote, Word for Word
Copied exactly from our Google Business Profile. The reviews describe our work, and they do not say where the reviewers live.
Jim FrizzellPool demolition on a hillside
I recently hired Cicarelli Contractors for demolition of my swimming pool. From our initial discussion to our final completion Athalyson and his crew were true professionals. Our pool is on a hill with limited access. His crew was able to get their equipment in place for the demolition and wheelbarrow fill dirt up hill. Some of those days had 90+ temps.
I was consistently impressed with the quality and professionalism of his crew. His crews seemed to always have a smile. The project was completed in a timely manner. His crew were consistently courteous and respectful of my property and maintained a clean work environment, restoring the site to its original condition.
I highly recommend Cicarelli Contractors for any construction needs. Their commitment to quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction is commendable.
I wouldn’t hesitate to hire Cicarelli again!
Julio GarciaCompleted on time
Excellent job and ZERO complaint. The project was done on time.
Bordering and Nearby Cities
The closest service cities around town, each listed with its permit authority.
Hercules
Directly north along I-80 and the bay shore. Hercules runs its own building department, so permits there come from the City of Hercules.
Services in Hercules
El Sobrante
To the south, in the hills off San Pablo Dam Road. It is unincorporated, so its permits are issued by Contra Costa County.
Services in El Sobrante
Richmond
South on I-80 past the Hilltop area, where our crew is based. Projects inside Richmond city limits are permitted by the City of Richmond.
Services in Richmond
San Pablo
A few miles south, surrounded by Richmond. Its Building Division on Gateway Avenue issues permits and books inspections by phone.
Services in San Pablo
El Cerrito
Farther south along San Pablo Avenue, at the Alameda County line. The El Cerrito Building Division takes applications through eTRAKiT.
Services in El Cerrito
Vallejo
Across San Pablo Bay and the Carquinez Strait in Solano County. Vallejo issues its own permits, separate from any Contra Costa office.
Services in Vallejo
Albany
Down I-80 in Alameda County, past El Cerrito. The City of Albany handles permits for the homes inside its limits.
Services in Albany
The Bay Shore City and Its Neighbors on the Map
This city is the highlighted pin; each dot is a neighbor from the list next to the map.
Pinole, CANorth of our Richmond base on I-80
Shoreline towns on the map
Permits
How Pinole Permits Pool Removal and Retaining Walls
The City of Pinole Building Division requires a building permit to remove or fill in a swimming pool, and to build a retaining wall taller than 4 feet from the bottom of the footing or one supporting a surcharge. Applications are online only through eTRAKiT, and Cicarelli Contractors prepares and submits them.
Requirements posted by the Building Division
- A building permit is required before removing, demolishing or filling in any structure, including swimming pools, and the city offers two paths: engineered fill supervised by a civil or geotechnical engineer, or uncertified clean fill with a restricted-use covenant recorded with the County, per its demolition requirements page.
- Retaining walls greater than 4 feet, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, or supporting a surcharge, require building permits, and walls over 30 inches need structural drawings and calculations, per the building permit requirements page.
- Applications are made online through eTRAKiT, and inspections are scheduled there at least 24 hours ahead, Monday to Thursday in AM or PM windows with none on Fridays, per the inspections page.
How do other Bay Area cities permit a pool removal? See the pool demolition permit guide we keep updated.
Local guide
Pool Removal and Yard Permits Along San Pablo Bay, Explained
A Pinole building permit is the first step for most yard projects that go past planting: removing a pool, building a tall wall or demolishing a slab. The city takes every application online, and Cicarelli Contractors handles that filing along with the demolition, the fill and the new patio, turf or pavers.
What are the steps to file a permit on eTRAKiT?
Create a public or contractor account on eTRAKiT, choose Apply / New Permit, describe the project and its value, attach the plans as PDFs and list the owner and contractor. Paper and email applications are no longer accepted, and the city checks for a valid business license before issuing.
Questions go to the Building Division at (510) 724-8912 or BuildingQuestions@pinole.gov. We prepare the application and drawings for pool, wall and hardscape jobs.
What can you build without a permit in California?
Some small items are exempt, but fewer than many people think. Here, a one-story detached shed or playhouse under 120 square feet can skip a building permit with written Planning approval, fences up to 7 feet are exempt, and so are retaining walls up to 4 feet without a surcharge.
Exempt work still has to meet zoning setbacks and lot coverage. The city warns that permit work done without one means a fine and undoing the work.
Should I fill in my pool or remove it completely?
It depends on what the area becomes. For a future structure, the city expects engineered fill, with an engineer supervising compaction and reporting before the final. Uncertified clean fill is allowed if a restricted-use covenant is recorded with the County, and the area is then treated as non-buildable.
Either way, the gas and water lines are capped and the pool wiring and breaker are removed. Our pool removal page compares both approaches.
| Topic | Pinole |
|---|---|
| City permit office | Building Division, 2131 Pear Street |
| How to apply | eTRAKiT only; no paper or email |
| Inspections | eTRAKiT, Monday to Thursday, 24 hours ahead |
| Retaining wall permit | Over 4 feet from footing, or with surcharge |
Updated · By Athalyson Bernardo, Owner of Cicarelli Contractors
Pool and Yard Guides Worth Reading First
FAQ
Pinole Pool and Yard Questions, Answered
Thinking About a Pool or Yard Project?
Our Richmond crew is a short way down I-80. Reach us by call or text, Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, or check the full FAQ.
Call (650) 404-7049Is Pinole inside your service area?
Yes. Our crew is based in Richmond, the city just south along I-80, and we take pool, concrete, paver, wall and turf projects here. We hold CSLB License #1109419, B General Building, with an active bond, and every estimate is free and in writing.
What happens if you remodel without a permit in California?
The city can stop the work and charge penalties. Pinole states that work done without a permit means paying a fine and undoing the work. Unpermitted work can also surface when you sell, since buyers and lenders may ask about it. Getting the permit first is usually simpler.
Does my contractor need a local business license?
Yes. The city states that everyone who conducts business in town must hold a valid City of Pinole business license, and staff check city records during permit review rather than asking for an upload. Without one, the building permit is not issued.
What utilities are disconnected when a pool is removed?
Under the city pool demolition rules, the natural gas line and water service serving the pool and its equipment are capped with an approved fitting, and the electrical wiring to the pool equipment, including the breaker in the panel, is removed. We handle those steps as part of the demolition.
Are inspections available on Fridays?
No. The city offers construction inspections Monday through Thursday, in a morning window from 8 am to noon or an afternoon window from 1 to 3:30 pm. Requests go through eTRAKiT at least 24 hours ahead, and the assigned window is posted in the portal on inspection day.
How do I start with a free estimate?
Call or text (650) 404-7049, Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, or send photos and your address through our free estimate form. We visit, measure and then send an itemized written estimate within 24 hours of the visit.