Demolition & Relocation

Demolition Permit

New Demolition Process 

Effective October 1, 2021, the demolition permitting process has changed. The new process requires a pre-demolition inspection and notification to adjacent residential structures for all total demolitions and qualifying partial demolitions that remove more than half of exterior walls. The new demolition permitting and notification process is outlined below. 

New required forms and documents:

• Affidavit of Compliance ^(PDF) 
• Refrigerant Disposal Acknowledgement ^(PDF) 
• Demolition Notification Packet (Provided upon successful Pre-Construction Inspection – see Step 5)
• Demolition Notification Acknowledgment (part of the Demolition Notification Packet)

Commercial or Multi-Family: Site Plan

For Commercial or Multi-Family Structures, get approval for your site plan before submitting your demolition project to Commercial Plan Review intake:

• Demolitions greater than 10,000 sq. ft., submit Site Plan Application to Land Use Review.
• Demolitions less than 10,000 sq. ft., submit Site Plan Exemption Application to Land Development Information Services.

If five or more currently occupied residential units will be demolished, tenant notification and a certified form may be required with your demolition application.

Step 1. Demolition Application

Before you apply for a Demolition permit, verify with the Land Development Information Services (Zoning/Site Plan/Change of Use) that new construction will be permitted at the site.

The Demolition Permit Application includes submittal requirements for Residential and Commercial Structures. *Commercial demolitions require an Asbestos Compliance Notification Form ^(PDF). Single private residence or a single apartment building with no more than four dwelling units are excluded.

• For total demolitions submit the Demolition Permit Application ^(PDF) and the Affidavit of Compliance  ^(PDF).
• Additions and/or remodels that involve demolition of greater than 50% of exterior walls must comply with the Demolition Notification Requirements (see Step 6).
• For partial demolitions that involve more than 50% of exterior walls, submit the Demolition Permit Application in addition to:
  1. the required Commercial Building Application ^(PDF) for Commercial and Multi-Family structures, or
  2. the required Interior Remodel ^(PDF), Garage Conversion and Carport/Porch Enclosure ^(PDF), and/or New Construction and Addition ^(PDF) applications for single family Residential structures.

*Helpful Contacts:

• Texas DSHS Asbestos Program
• Asbestos abatement, handling or disposal information 512-834-6787 or AsbestosHelp@dshs.state.tx.us
• Worker safety issues regarding asbestos or lead-based paint 800-321-6742 or visit osha.gov.

Step 2. Plan Review

Residential structures 45 years or older require review by the Historic Preservation Office in the Housing and Planning Department, and possibly the Historic Landmark Commission.

Proposed work that will remove, impact the critical root zone, or prune more than 25% of the canopy of a protected size tree (19 inches or more in diameter) must be reviewed for a tree permit. Inspection of erosion/sedimentation controls and tree protection must be requested by the owner before demolition begins.

Step 3. Permit Activation

For Building Permit Activation:

• A Pre-Demolition Inspection Fee is required for total demolitions and partial demolitions removing more than 50% of exterior walls.
• The 100 Bldg. Pre-Construction Inspection will be included with demolition permits and added to additions and/or remodels with more than 50% of exterior walls demolished

For Trade Permit Activation:

• The Plumbing Permit must be paid and activated before scheduling the 100 Bldg. Pre-Construction Inspection.

Step 4. Environmental & Trade Inspections

Prepare for Inspections:

1. Install tree protection and erosion/sedimentation controls before any work takes place on your work site. See the Tree Protection and Erosion Sedimentation Flowchart ^(PDF) for examples and contact information to schedule related inspections.
2. Request disconnect and removal of services for Austin Energy and Austin Water by calling City of Austin’s Utility Contact Center at 512-494-9400.
3. Upload Refrigerant Disposal Acknowledgement to the building permit folder via the Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) portal before scheduling the 100 Bldg. Pre-Construction Inspection.

Schedule and Pass Inspections:

1. Contact Environmental Inspections Administration at 512-974-2278 or environmental.inspections@austintexas.gov:
   • Pre-Construction Environmental Inspection
   • Pre-Construction Tree Inspection
2. Schedule and pass using AB+C or Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System:
   • 100 Bldg. Pre-Construction Inspection.
     The 510 Sewer Tap & 521 Final Plumbing inspections will also be conducted with the 100 PreCon.

Step 5. Pre-Construction Inspection (NEW PROCESS)

The 100 Bldg. Pre-Construction Inspection is the last inspection conducted prior to demolition

Inspector will verify:

• Tree and environmental protections are in place, utilities are capped or appropriately addressed, trade permits passed; and
• Refrigerant Disposal Acknowledgement ^(PDF) is uploaded to the building permit.

Upon verification, Building Inspector will provide the Demolition Notification Packet to General Contractor. This will include instructions and materials to help you notify adjacent properties:

1. Contractor Instructions – 2 pages
2. Door Hanger – 10 copies
3. Notification Diagram – 1 page
4. Multi-Family Instructions – 1 page
5. Certified Letter & Flyer template – 3 pages
6. Demolition Notification Acknowledgment – 1 page
7. Yard Sign – 1 copy

Step 6. Demolition-Adjacent Notification Requirement

Contractor shall complete the following Demolition Notification Requirements:

• Five to 10 business days prior to demolition activity, General Contractor is responsible for:
  1. Filling out and placing the yard sign and door hangers according to the instructions and providing the appropriate materials to owners of surrounding multi-family properties, where needed. 
  2. Uploading Demolition Notification Acknowledgment to the building permit folder via Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) portal. This step starts the “notification window” of at least five days.
• The minimum five-day ‘notification window’ starts the day the Acknowledgement is uploaded.

Contractors providing demolition notifications have similar rights to access as delivery people, neighbors, or salespeople under Texas trespassing laws. If a clear path to the front door is available, place the notice on the door. If a clear path is blocked or does not exist, place notice on a fence or other highly visible location. 

Step 7. Begin Demolition

Demolition may begin after Demolition Notification Requirements are met and the minimum five-day “notification window” has closed.

After demolition has occurred, prepare for, schedule and pass the required inspections to close the demolition building permit.

Environmental Inspections and revegetation are required if a vacant lot is proposed:

1. 610 AW Temp Utilities & 611 Water Tap
   • Call 512-972-0000, option 3 or email: awtaps@austintexas.gov 
2. 620 Final Tree Inspection & 602 EV Final Inspection
   • Call 512-974-2278 or email: environmental.inspections@austintexas.gov 
3. 112 Final Building

Standard New Construction inspections can begin for other projects once the demolition building permit is closed.

Demolition Permit Notifications Tool

The Demolition Notification Tool is currently experiencing some technical difficulties. DSD is working hard to fix the issues. You may use the Development Tracker or Austin Build + Connect to keep abreast of demolition permits. If you need assistance with these tools, please contact the Neighborhood Assistance Center for guidance.

To track demolition applications in your neighborhood or another defined area, register for an Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) account and sign up to receive Demolition Notifications by email. This DSD online tool will send you notifications following application and approval for demolition permits, based on criteria you select. (See pages 3-9 of the AB+C User Manual for information on how to register.)

Steps to Receive Demolition Permit Notifications

1. Start at Austin Build + Connect.
2. If you have an account, sign in. If not, register for an account (required for all notifications, as well as online permits and payments).
3. Select “My Notifications” on left navigation panel.
4. Select “Sign up for Demolition Notifications.”
5. Follow the prompts to “Name this alert” and “select one notification type.” Notification Types include: Address, Community Registry (neighborhood association, etc.), Council District or Zip Code.
6. Select “Save.”
7. You may set up more than one alert at any time.
8. Please note the expiration date on each Demolition Notification is one year from the date of creation. DSD does not send reminders of subscription expirations.

For more detailed instructions on setting up demolition notifications, view Demolition Notification Instructions ^(PDF).