'The town is demanding a demolition permit for a pool that is not there': Town demands impossible task of homeowner

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Feb 9, 2025 11:00 AM EST

Getting caught up in paperwork might be the hardest part of this person's new construction project. 

We often hear about the red tape that accompanies big construction projects, but we don't always see it in action. When large construction projects are underway, contractors and project supervisors often handle most of the paperwork. Still, for some things, the homeowners need to get involved. Then, they become witnesses to the red tape insanity behind their project. 

Sometimes, life is so absurd that if you don't laugh about it, you'll cry. This Long Island resident is in that exact situation. They find themself trying to get a pool put in, but the town keeps insisting they already have an above-ground pool. They keep telling the homeowner that it needs to be demolished first. Good thing the previous owner took it down already! The whole situation is just laughable, but at least commenters had some good advice for this person. It seems like the best option is just to do as town officials say, even though the homeowner will be gritting their teeth the whole time. At least if they can get through the red tape now, they'll still have a few months before summer arrives to get the backyard ready for those summer days spent lounging by the pool. 

Next, read about the artist who had to defend her own painting from a crusading commenter who thought it belonged to someone else: "This is literally me." 

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  • 01
    'Town wants me to get a permit to demolish something that doesn't exist'
    via Oshomah Abubakar on Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02
    Town wants me to get a permit to demolish something that doesn't exist
    via u/Beneficial-Shirt216
  • 03
    There was an above-ground pool on the property prior to my purchasing it. I bought the house without a pool, just a large flattened circle of sand.
    via u/Beneficial-Shirt216
  • 04
    I am planning to put in a semi- inground pool in the same space. Apparently, there may be an open permit for a pool on that property, but the previous owners may have simply taken apart the previous pool and carted the pieces away.
    via u/Beneficial-Shirt216
  • 05
    Not only did the contractor have to obtain a town license, but the town is demanding a demolition permit for a pool THAT IS NOT THERE. The woman in the Building Dept is absolutely impossible to deal with. She insists that I file a demolition permit in spite of there being NOTHING TO DEMOLISH.
    via u/Beneficial-Shirt216
  • 06
    I want to ask an inspector to come out and verify that there is nothing there. Attorney is trying to find out about the open permit. I couldn't find it online. Contractor thinks she'll get really pissy if I go over her head. He said, "She's got a real attitude." I've spoken with her, and I agree.
    via u/Beneficial-Shirt216
  • 07
    Suffolk County. The previous pool is visible on Google Earth photos, but it was gone before they listed the house. What can I do???
    via u/Beneficial-Shirt216
  • 08

    It's not what this person will want to hear, but they may just have to agree to the town's requests

    arkham1010 How much does it cost you to get a demo permit? If its a little money it might just be better to pay it and not worry about building department. off the off the building department staff can bite you in the a in so many different ways over the years. S ks, but what are you going to do.
    via u/arkham1010
  • 09
    Alexandratta Okay, here's what I did when something similar happened. Take a picture of your property. (and lack of pool) Go directly to your town hall, and ask to speak to the people at the Permits Department.
    via u/Alexandratta
  • 10
    Show them: There's nothing there, I didn't remove it. Show them when you bought the home. They will just cancel out any existing permits (This worked for Town of - Brookhaven) it was just some small CO that somehow slipped past them the first time we bought the house, and somehow showed up later... My lawyer couldn't get to it, the
    via u/Alexandratta
  • 11
    buyer's lawyer couldn't get to it... I finally just went to town hall, and spoke to someone with all my paperwork (proof of sale, property tax info, survy/inspection of the property) and they literally just typed three things on the computer, and we were set.
    via u/Alexandratta
  • 12
    More than likely it's the same, where they just have to see "Oh, nothing is there?" and delete it - but over the phone things are dodgy and e-mail these folks tend to be worse. Just go, in person, to address it. It'll save you alot of time and headaches. edit: Also set your phone, when you take the picture, to Time Stamp the photo.
    via u/Alexandratta
  • 13
    phoonie98 It really just comes down to the town wanting their money. How much does it cost to get the permit? I would go down the path of least resistance and just do it and let the town send an inspector out to see that it's gone after you pay the permit fee. Getting a lawyer involved sounds expensive and unnecessary
    via u/phoonie98
  • 14
    LifeguardLeadin... Go after your title insurance co for anything you have to pay for the permit and inspection. The title company should have picked it up when you bought the house.
    via u/LifeguardLeading6367
  • 15
    potatoprince1 Go over her head. Who cares if she gets pissy? If she's not doing her job properly then her supervisor needs to get involved.
    via u/potatoprince1

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