Regulation on the Demolition of Buildings

The Regulation on the Demolition of Buildings was published by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization on 13 October 2021 with the aim of ensuring that demolition activities are carried out in a manner that does not endanger the environment, public health, or public safety. The Regulation introduces detailed provisions regarding the preparation of demolition plans, the issuance of demolition permits, demolition activities, and construction and demolition waste management. The provisions of the Regulation entered into force on 1 July 2022.

Demolition of Buildings

Under the Regulation, for buildings with a height of 21.50 metres or more, technical supervision must be undertaken by persons holding the professional title of civil engineer. For buildings below the 21.50-metre threshold, the appointment of a technical supervisor is not mandatory. However, technical supervision is compulsory for demolitions carried out by means of explosives and for the demolition of any building containing more than two basement floors.

Buildings may only be demolished under the responsibility of a contractor, whether a natural or legal person, who has obtained an authorization certificate number and possesses the appropriate classification pursuant to the Regulation on the Classification and Registration of Building Contractors.

Furthermore, the Regulation requires that the site manager employed by the contractor be present throughout the demolition process.

Demolition Plan

The demolition plan is prepared by the project author. However, where the contractor possesses the qualifications required of a project author, the contractor is also authorized to prepare the demolition plan.

The demolition plan must be prepared in accordance with TS 13633 – Standard for Full and Partial Demolition of Structures and must include the following:

• the demolition method to be used prior to commencement of the demolition;

• the buildings, infrastructure, and utility installations that may be affected within and around the site;

• the measures to be taken to ensure traffic safety and public safety;

• the characteristics of the building, including its structural system, load-bearing capacity, and all relevant risk factors;

• the waste management plan and the measures to be taken for dust emission control; and

• the architectural and/or structural projects of the building to be demolished, where available.

For demolitions involving explosives, the demolition plan must additionally include:

• an acoustic report prepared to control noise and vibration generated during demolition; and

• a report containing the blasting method or blasting plan.

The Regulation also introduces an exception by removing the obligation to prepare a demolition plan for detached buildings consisting of no more than one storey above the basement level, with a building height not exceeding 6 metres and a total construction area not exceeding 250 m². The same exemption applies to partial demolitions within a building, provided that the demolished area does not exceed 250 m² and 10% of the floor construction area.

In order to carry out demolition works, an application for a demolition permit must be submitted to the relevant administrative authority together with the demolition plan prepared in accordance with the Regulation.

In addition, where the demolition concerns a structure located within the interaction or protection zone of a cultural or natural heritage asset, a favourable opinion must be obtained from the relevant Conservation Board before demolition activities commence.