How to Get Rid of an Above-Ground Pool in LA and Orange County

1. Take it apart, then check your bulky pickup

None of the bulky program pages we checked name above-ground pools, and several exclude the closest thing they list, spas. A pool only qualifies once it's in pieces that meet the size, weight and two-person rules.

• Carson and Gardena (WM): exclude spas, pianos and camper shells, and anything needing more than two people to lift.
• Torrance: excludes spas, hot tubs and other items needing more than two people.
• Huntington Park (Valley Vista Services): items under 150 lb and no bigger than 8 by 4 ft, up to 4 items a week.
• Long Beach: up to 8 large items or 25 bags, bundles or boxes per pickup, with bundles up to 48 inches and 40 lb. Sharp items can't go in plastic bags.

More on this: bulky pickup rules across LA and OC · Huntington Park bulky pickup · Long Beach special collections

Sources: WM: Carson Residential Service Guide 2026; WM: Gardena Residential Service Guide 2026; City of Torrance: Large Item Pick Up; City of Huntington Park: Street Sweeping & Trash; City of Long Beach: Special Collection 101, checked Nov 2026

In Orange County

OC programs set similar limits. Laguna Woods excludes anything that can't be safely loaded by two people, Costa Mesa caps items at 8 by 4 ft and 150 lb, and Mission Viejo lets a pickup be up to 5 large items or 20 bags under 50 lb each. In unincorporated communities such as North Tustin and Silverado, you get 2 free pickups a year of up to 4 items.

More on this: North Tustin bulky pickup

Sources: City of Laguna Woods: Residential Waste Services; Costa Mesa Sanitary District: Large Item Collection; City of Mission Viejo: Recycling for Residents; OC Waste & Recycling: Waste Haulers for Unincorporated Areas, checked Nov 2026

Pool chemicals go to a hazardous waste center

Leftover chlorine, shock and other pool chemicals are excluded from bulky pickups in Commerce, Whittier, Norwalk, Bell Gardens and Redondo Beach, among others, and we don't take them either. LA's S.A.F.E. Centers list pool chemicals among accepted items, free for City of LA and LA County residents, up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per visit. In Orange County, call the OC Waste & Recycling HHW centers to confirm before you bring them.

More on this: household hazardous waste drop-off · Gaffey Street S.A.F.E. Center

Sources: City of Commerce: Residential Trash & Recycling Collection; Athens Services: Whittier Residential Services; Athens Services: Norwalk Residential Services; Athens Services: Bell Gardens Residential Services; City of Redondo Beach: Bulky Item and E-Waste Collection; LA Sanitation & Environment: LA-Glendale S.A.F.E. Center; OC Waste & Recycling: Household Hazardous Waste, checked Nov 2026

2. Drop off the frame and liner

Steel-wall and frame pools leave a pile of metal; resin pools and inflatables are mostly plastic and vinyl. Sites that list the materials:

• Crown Recycling Services, Sun Valley: scrap metal and general trash, open seven days.
• California Waste Services Downtown LA: metal and steel, open 24 hours.
• Puente Hills MRF (City of Industry) and Athens Irwindale MRF: residential trash for self-haul loads.
• Republic Services Huntington Beach Transfer Station: trash from self-haul customers.
• The facility pages we checked don't mention pools or pool liners by name, so call first if you're unsure.

More on this: Crown Recycling Services · Puente Hills MRF

Sources: Athens Services: Crown Recycling Services; California Waste Services: Los Angeles; LA County Sanitation Districts: Puente Hills MRF; Athens Services: Irwindale MRF; City of Huntington Beach: Trash & Recycling, checked Nov 2026

3. Sell or give away a pool in good shape

A pool with an intact liner, a working pump and all its parts can find a taker online, especially before summer. Photograph it set up if you can, list the diameter and depth, and say what's included. A torn liner or rusted wall isn't worth passing on.

4. Have it taken down and hauled

Roa Solution Junk Removal removes above-ground pools. We take apart the frame, wall and liner, along with any steps or decking around it, haul it all away and clean up the spot. The pump, filter, ladder and cover can go in the same load. Tell us whether the pool is drained when you send photos.

Pool chemicals stay out of the load, since we don't take chemicals or other hazardous waste. Pricing starts at $190. Text photos to (562) 219-9266.

More on this: our above-ground pool removal service

What it usually costs

Taking it down yourself and using bulky pickups costs time. Dumps charge by weight, often with a one-ton minimum. A hauled load is priced by truck space, material, weight, access and labor, starting at $190.

More on this: how our pricing works

Sources: California Waste Services: Los Angeles; City of Huntington Beach: Trash & Recycling, checked Nov 2026

Sources

1. WM: Carson Residential Service Guide 2026
2. WM: Gardena Residential Service Guide 2026
3. City of Torrance: Large Item Pick Up
4. City of Huntington Park: Street Sweeping & Trash
5. City of Long Beach: Special Collection 101
6. City of Laguna Woods: Residential Waste Services
7. Costa Mesa Sanitary District: Large Item Collection
8. City of Mission Viejo: Recycling for Residents
9. OC Waste & Recycling: Waste Haulers for Unincorporated Areas
10. City of Commerce: Residential Trash & Recycling Collection
11. Athens Services: Whittier Residential Services
12. Athens Services: Norwalk Residential Services
13. Athens Services: Bell Gardens Residential Services
14. City of Redondo Beach: Bulky Item and E-Waste Collection
15. LA Sanitation & Environment: LA-Glendale S.A.F.E. Center
16. OC Waste & Recycling: Household Hazardous Waste
17. Athens Services: Crown Recycling Services
18. California Waste Services: Los Angeles
19. LA County Sanitation Districts: Puente Hills MRF
20. Athens Services: Irwindale MRF
21. City of Huntington Beach: Trash & Recycling

Rules change. Check the city or county page before you rely on a limit, fee or date.