Demolition in Ontario: what comes first
The order is set by law: hazardous materials first, then the permit, then the machines.
Updated
Short answer
Before an Ontario building comes down, the owner identifies the designated substances on the site and gives the list to bidders, asbestos that the work may disturb is removed under Ontario Regulation 278/05, the utilities are disconnected, and the municipality issues a demolition permit. A professional engineer reviews the demolition of buildings over 3 storeys or 600 m² in building area, and of buildings with pre-tensioned or post-tensioned members.
The order of a demolition
Most of a demolition is decided before a machine arrives. The first three steps are paperwork and protection.
Requirement by requirement
| Requirement | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Designated substances | The owner determines which designated substances are on the site and lists them for every bidder before a contract is made. | Occupational Health and Safety Act, section 30 |
| Asbestos | Asbestos-containing material that the work may disturb is removed first, by the procedure for its type and the work. | O. Reg. 278/05 |
| Utilities | Gas, hydro, water and telecom are disconnected before the permit is issued. | Municipal permit requirements |
| Demolition permit | Issued by the municipality’s chief building official. | Building Code Act, section 8 |
| Engineer’s review | Required for a building over 3 storeys or over 600 m² in building area, or with pre-tensioned or post-tensioned members. | Building Code, Division C, 1.2.2.3. |
| Notice of Project | Where labour and materials are expected to exceed $50,000. | O. Reg. 213/91 |
| Locates | Before foundations or slabs are dug out. | Ontario One Call |
| Hours | Set by each municipality’s noise by-law. | Municipal by-laws |
Where the material goes
A building comes down as a few large streams of material. Keeping them apart on site is what makes them recyclable.
- Concrete, block and brick: crushed for reuse as aggregate and fill
- Steel, copper and aluminum: sent to scrap recyclers
- Clean wood: separated from painted and treated wood
- Drywall, roofing and mixed debris: to a licensed transfer station
- Hazardous materials: packaged and sent to licensed disposal, with the paperwork kept for the owner
Questions
How long does a demolition permit take in Ontario?
Once the application is complete the review is short, and several municipalities publish 10 business days for a demolition permit. The utility disconnections have to be confirmed before it is issued, so they are requested first.
Do I need an asbestos survey before demolition?
The owner has to determine whether designated substances, including asbestos, are present before the work is tendered. For any building that might contain them, that means a survey by a qualified consultant.
Can a house come down before the new house is approved?
It depends on the municipality. Some hold a residential demolition permit until the building permit for the replacement is ready, so we check before the schedule is set.
Sources
- Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1, section 30
- Ontario Regulation 278/05, Designated Substance: Asbestos on Construction Projects
- Building Code Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 23
- Ontario Building Code, Division C, 1.2.2.3. (demolition review by an engineer)
- Government of Ontario, File a Notice of Project
- City of Orillia, Permit application time frames
Checked against these sources on . This page is general information about building in Ontario. It is not legal advice, and the rules change, so confirm the current requirement for your project.
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