Sharepoint - Restore-SPSite to the same content database

This is a known issue[citation needed] and unfortunately restoring to a new content database is the only workaround (I refuse to call it a solution since you now have a new problem). Once restored, you can't move the site back either; the error it returns is about how the site used to exist in the content database.

If you can, avoid deleting site collections you intend on restoring again later. Use the -force parameter with Restore-SPSite or the -overwrite parameter with stsadm -o restore

When you delete a Site Collection, it will still remain in the Content database until the "Gradual Site Delete" Timer job is run (by default, it runs once daily). So, once you delete the site collection and run the timer job, then you can again restore the same site collection in the same content database.

Sorry to resurrect such an old thread however I ran into a similar problem today and this http://reality-tech.com/2012/04/04/gradual-site-collection-deletion/ post put me onto the solution. This meant I didn't have to install to a different content database which would have been a big headache for us. Hopefully this might help someone in the future...