The starting point
Confirm demolition approval before removing a building. Requirements depend on the municipality, building and site; Vancouver also has recycling and deconstruction requirements for relevant houses. A demolition permit does not automatically authorize the replacement development.
Vancouver example: recycling and deconstruction#
Vancouver publishes a demolition process with recycling and deconstruction requirements. Check the house's age and applicable conditions before choosing a contractor or disposal plan. Use the City's current page and by-law rather than a recycling percentage copied from an old permit.
Ask which reuse or recycling plan, fees, deposits and completion evidence apply to the actual building. Keep the demolition pathway separate from the planning and building approvals for the replacement project.
Prepare the site and contractor questions#
Before contracting, organize the proposed demolition scope, available building records, site access, neighbouring conditions and the replacement project's application sequence. Ask the municipality and contractor about disconnections, hazardous-material obligations and documentation.
This checklist identifies questions to resolve; it is not a hazardous-material survey or demolition method. Obtain the required professional and contractor advice for safety, handling and disposal.
Before you apply
- Confirm municipal demolition approval and scope.
- Check heritage, age and recycling/deconstruction conditions.
- Resolve service disconnections and hazardous-material obligations.
- Confirm replacement approvals and required completion evidence.