Planned Demolishing a building is a major undertaking, which requires appropriate formal and legal preparation. Before the team arrives on site, the property owner must fulfil a number of administrative obligations – and failing to do so may result in serious legal consequences. Not everyone knows where and how to correctly notify the authorities of planned demolition work, which is why we have put together a practical guide. Find out what you need to do, step by step!
In this article, you will learn:
- Demolition of a building – when is it worth carrying out?
- When should you notify the authorities of a building’s demolition, and when should you apply for a permit?
- Where should you report the demolition of a building? Special cases and requirements
- Demolition of the building carried out by a professional firm
- FAQ
- Summary
Demolition of a building – when is it worth carrying out?
Demolition of a building usually becomes necessary when the structure is in a poor state of repair and incurs increasing maintenance costs. A house falling into disrepair, a dilapidated industrial hall or an unused barn – Each of these situations eventually presents the owner with a difficult decision. Very often, the reason is also a planned new development: when a new building is to be erected on the plot, the existing structure must be demolished in a lawful and safe manner. Acting without authorisation carries the risk of severe financial penalties and an order from the building control authority to restore the site to its previous condition.
Professional demolition This is always preceded by a detailed technical analysis of the structure. Every structure – whether it is a residential building, an industrial facility or a chimney – requires a bespoke approach. Selecting the appropriate method, assessing the condition of the materials and securing the site appropriately These are the factors that ensure work is carried out safely. It is worth consulting an experienced contractor at this stage.
When should you notify the authorities of a building’s demolition, and when should you apply for a permit?
Building law distinguishes between three levels of formal requirements: no formalities, notification, and a full demolition permit. The question of where to notify the authorities of a building’s demolition arises particularly in the case of smaller structures. A notification is sufficient if the building is less than 8 metres high and its distance from the plot boundary is at least half that height. The document is submitted to the district office or the town hall with the status of a county. The authority has 21 days in which to raise any objections – if it does not do so, work may commence.
A full demolition permit is required when:
- the building is over 8 metres high or is situated too close to the boundary of the plot,
- the property is listed in the register of historic monuments or is subject to conservation protection,
- the works may affect water resources, sanitary conditions or the state of the environment,
- The project concerns a closed or specially protected area.
As an example, let’s look at the demolition of a chimney. Whether a planning permission or a notification is required depends on its height and location. Industrial chimneys exceeding 8 metres in height require the full planning permission procedure. Smaller structures may be eligible for a simplified notification procedure, provided they are not subject to conservation protection and meet the distance requirements. It is worth checking this before submitting any documents to the authorities.
Where should you report the demolition of a building? Special cases and requirements
In the vast majority of cases, the answer to the question of where to apply for a building demolition permit is clear: the district office or a town with district rights. In the case of special structures – such as those located alongside national roads, on restricted sites or within railway or port infrastructure – the competent authority is the provincial office. Since 2021, it has also been possible to submit an application online via the e-Budownictwo portal. It is always worth checking in advance which authority is responsible for a particular case.
When planning work on a listed building, controlled demolitions should be entrusted to organisations with experience in this type of procedure. Before you submit an application for a demolition permit for a building listed in the register of historic monuments, a decision by the Chief Conservator of Monuments is required on the removal of a property from the register. For buildings listed only in the local authority’s register of historic monuments, the district administrator consults with the provincial conservation officer – and it is this stage that most often causes delays to the overall project schedule.
An exceptional situation is demolition of a building in danger of collapsing. In the event of an immediate threat to life or property, building regulations permit safety works to be carried out before the formalities have been completed. However, this does not exempt the owner from the obligation to submit a notification or an application for a planning permission as soon as possible once the site has been secured. Building control authorities interpret this exception strictly and expect the developer to act without delay.
Demolition of the building carried out by a professional firm
Demolishing a building in an industrial setting requires not only specialist equipment, but also careful project planning and full control over every stage of the demolition process. HOPE Group offers demolition services for a wide range of structures – from residential and farm buildings to industrial chimneys, silos, steelworks furnaces and towers. We carry out a detailed technical analysis before every project, selecting the optimal demolition method and preparing comprehensive documentation. This ensures that the investor can be confident that the entire process is carried out in accordance with the regulations and the agreed timetable.
If you’re wondering whether you need a planning permission or simply need to submit a notification when demolishing a chimney, our team of engineers will help you determine the correct course of action and guide you through every stage of the procedure. Please note that The demolition of a building at risk of collapse is one of the most difficult operations – Every hour counts here, but so does precision. HOPE Group has been carrying out such projects for years with a zero accident rate, whilst ensuring compliance with health and safety and environmental regulations at every stage of the work.
FAQ
Where should I report the demolition of a building?
A notification of the intention to demolish a building must be submitted to the district office or to a town with district rights – and, from 2021, this can also be done electronically via the e-Budownictwo portal. In the case of special structures, such as buildings on restricted sites or alongside national roads, the competent authority is the provincial office.
Does the demolition of a chimney require a planning permission or a notification?
In the case of chimney demolition, whether a permit or a notification is required depends primarily on the height of the structure and its distance from the plot boundary: chimneys less than 8 metres high, which are not subject to conservation protection and comply with the distance requirements, are subject to a notification procedure, whilst taller industrial chimneys require a full demolition permit.
Is it possible to start demolishing a building at risk of collapse before a permit has been granted?
Demolition of a building at risk of collapse may commence before the formalities have been completed only in the event of an immediate threat to life or property – however, the property owner is strictly obliged to submit the relevant notification or application for a permit immediately after securing the site.
Summary
Carrying out demolition work correctly requires a good understanding of the regulations, efficient organisation and the right choice of contractor. The extent of the paperwork depends on the type and size of the property, its legal status and location – which is why each case must be assessed on its own merits. If you are planning to demolish a building or industrial structure and want to ensure that everything runs smoothly, safely and in accordance with the regulations – please contact HOPE Group. Our team will guide you through every stage of the process, from the paperwork to the final site clearance.
