Demolition submittal requirements

This section describes the minimum submittal requirements for the demolition of a structure on-site. In certain situations, additional materials may be required. All work must meet the minimum requirements of the municipal code.

A demolition permit does not include the grading or excavation of the site, or the commencement of construction activities associated with the proposed improvements to the site. Separate Building permits are required for those construction activities. Before the issuance of a permit for any subsequent construction activities, the demolition permit shall have received an approved final inspection.

If the application for a Demolition permit is not associated with a project submitted to the Building Division for a Building permit, a site inspection may be required to verify the location of heritage trees on the property or adjoining properties. If there are heritage trees near the proposed demolition, an arborist report recommending tree protection measure may be required for review by the Building Division. After approval of the arborist report by the Building Division, a letter from the arborist who prepared the report will be required to verify the mandated tree protection measures are in place. 

If the application for a demolition permit is associated with a project that has received a use permit or variance from the Planning Division, the applicant is strongly encouraged to provide written documentation demonstrating compliance with all of the conditions associated with the project. 

For proposed demolition projects that are required to comply with municipal code Chapter 12.48, Recycling and Salvaging of Construction and Demolition Debris, there is a required 7-day waiting period from the date of permit application to the date of permit issuance to allow for salvaging. For more information, please see the construction and demolition frequently asked questions.  

Plans are required for submittal and shall be formatted per the city file specifications to be compatible with the review process.

A complete submittal includes the following: 

  1. PDF copy of a lot plan showing the location of the structure to be demolished (including its square footage), all buildings on the site, and all heritage trees on the site. 
  2. Erosion control plan if the proposed demolition is to take place during the months of October through April or if the lot is to be left vacant during the months of October through April. This is to control water runoff/erosion during proposed demolition activity, e.g., sandbags or other control measures. Engineering office in Public Works reviews in addition to Building Division.
  3. Dust control plan that considers the following: hose bibb on-site, truck hauling, watering exposed soil, parking/staging areas, daily street cleaning, exposed stockpiles, traffic speeds, temporary vegetative cover, wheel washers, windbreaks, excessive wind protocol and limitation to one dust-generation activity at a time like excavation or grading. 
  4. PCB screening form, Attachment B, Parts 1 and 2
  5. Best Management Practices sheet for preventing stormwater pollution. 
  6. A disconnect letter from PG&E stating the gas meter has been removed, the gas line has been capped at the property line and the electric service drop has been disconnected.
  7. J-number from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. https://www.baaqmd.gov/permits/asbestos 
  8. Plans shall also include the following information: 
    • Disposition for all utilities (water, sewer, electrical and gas): capped or removed.
    • Details for a 6-ft tall chain link construction fence around the site. Existing wood fences can be used in lieu of the chain link fence.
    • As needed, specifications for a stabilized construction entrance consistent with the Engineering Division Standard Detail CG-16, or rocks and cobbles in the driveway.
    • The following note: “Issuance of this permit does not provide approval of the removal of any give tree defined as a heritage tree in municipal code Chapter 13.4. A heritage tree removal permit shall be applied for and approved before the removal of any heritage tree.” 
    • City standard tree protection measures, if required. 
  9. A PDF copy of an arborist report will be required if there are heritage trees in the vicinity of the proposed demolition. 
  10. Written acknowledgment from the arborist who prepared the arborist report verifying that the mandated tree protection measures are in place. 

Swimming pool demolition

A pool is considered a structure, albeit below grade, and its demolition shall meet the typical requirements from above, as well as comply/note the following specific submittal information:

  1. Puncture holes in the bottom of the pool or removal of the entire shell. Testing and observation by the geotechnical engineer of record (GEOR) is required.
  2. Notation that all pool equipment, electrical conduit, and gas lines shall be removed. 
  3. Demolition of the bond beam and typically the top 3-feet of the pool walls. Testing and observation by the GEOR is also required.
  4. Provide a geotechnical report prepared by a licensed geotechnical engineer specifying the amount of the structure that is to be removed, the excavation backfill material, the compaction requirements, the compaction testing procedures with the associated ASTM D1557 standard to which it is to be tested, and any drainage requirements.
  5. All backfill compaction and grading is to be performed under the observation of the responsible GEOR. At the completion of the work and before final inspection, the GEOR shall submit a letter the building inspector verifying that the work was performed under their observation and consistently with the recommendations contained in the soils report. 
  6. Specifications showing pool shell back filled with clean, engineered fill that is not more expansive the existing soil on the site in lifts not to exceed typically 8 inches and compacted to 90% at a moisture content of 2-5% per ASTM D1557-91. 
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