A-305.2.2 Demolition Permits

A site safety demolition plan or complete "engineering survey" as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations developed by a competent person shall be submitted. The plan must address the methods used to carry out the demolition, as well as the proposed measures for protecting adjoining structures, property and pedestrians. A schedule of the demolition activities shall be developed as part of demolition planning. At a minimum, the plan shall include the following:

1. Details on the type of construction and condition of the structure(s) to be demolished, including photographs of the structure and the site that accurately depict its present condition.
2. Inspection details on the structural conditions of the adjoining properties.
3. Description of the means and methods for protection of adjacent structures and public right-of-ways.
4. Description of the method of demolition to be used.
5. Details on any potential hazards.
6. Underground utility confirmation number.
7. Description of any safety exposures and environmental issues.
8. In cases where the demolition requires Special Inspections in accordance with the Building Code, the site safety plan shall be approved by a professional engineer licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The plan shall include the name and address of the licensed engineer and shall be signed, sealed and dated by the engineer in accordance with the professional licensing laws. Submission of the plan by the demolition contractor constitutes agreement by the contractor to follow and carry out the plan.

A site plan which includes the following information shall be submitted:

1. Identification of elements listed below with the distance between each element and the structure(s) to be demolished:
   1. Property lines.
   2. Location and widths of adjacent walkways, streets, and easements.
   3. All existing buildings, including height, number of stories, and construction type.
   4. Neighboring structures on adjacent lots, including height, number of stories, and construction type.
   5. Location of utilities within the work area.
   6. Trees, light and other utility poles, street furniture and other items of a height of 8 feet or more not considered structures located on adjacent lots or public right-of-ways potentially impacted by the demolition.
   7. Location of all construction fences and sidewalk sheds around work site.
2. The extent of demolition, including underground removal.
3. Planned pedestrian protections.

The contractor shall submit a schedule of the proposed demolition which shall include the following:

1. The start date that is consistent with code requirements for public notice.
2. Identification of demolition milestones and projected dates of completion.
3. The proposed start and stop times for daily activity.
4. Confirmation that the work will not begin before site safety measures are in place and those measures are inspected and approved by the code official.

As soon as practicable, the contractor is required to submit to the Department a revised demolition schedule if the demolition does not start in the time frame established by the schedule submitted with the permit application. Failure to submit the revised demolition schedule shall be a Class II violation.

The following approvals shall be required before a demolition permit may be issued:

1. Zoning permit for the demolition.
2. Plumbing permit for sealing of the building sewer at the curb trap.
3. Water service discontinuance permit from the Philadelphia Water Department.
4. Philadelphia Historical Commission approval for any buildings listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places.
5. Philadelphia Water Department approval of stormwater management where the area of disturbance exceeds 5,000 square feet.
6. Dust control permit and plan approved by the Department of Public Health for any a structure that exceeds 3 stories, 40 feet in height, or encompasses more than 10,000 square feet.
7. Philadelphia City Planning Commission approval is required per Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code.
8. Authorization of the owner of the property in the form of an affidavit or a signed statement to the effect that the proposed work is authorized by the owner. The Department is authorized to accept electronic confirmation of such authorization.