Procedure for obtaining demolition notification in municipality - step-by-step guide

Procedure for obtaining demolition notification in municipality - step-by-step guide

Introduction

Demolition notification is a simplified administrative procedure that in certain cases replaces demolition permit. According to Art. 29 sec. 1 point 20 of the Construction Law Act, notification can be submitted for objects of limited volume and area. This procedure saves time and costs but requires meeting strict criteria.

When is notification sufficient instead of permit?

✅ Objects qualifying for notification

Single-family residential buildings:

• Built-up area up to 35 m²
• Height up to 8.5 m (to highest roof point)
• Maximum 2 above-ground floors

Utility buildings and garages:

• Built-up area up to 35 m²
• Height up to 5 m
• No underground floors

Structures and temporary objects:

• Garden sheds up to 25 m²
• Shelters and canopies up to 50 m²
• Fences up to 220 cm height

❌ Objects requiring permit

Absolute exceptions:

• Heritage-listed objects
• Buildings in conservation protection zone "A"
• Objects in flood-risk areas
• Buildings containing asbestos (require special procedure)

Step-by-step procedure

STEP 1: Documentation preparation (Time: 7-14 days)

Mandatory documents:

1. Demolition notification form

   • Available on municipality website
   • Completed legibly and signed
   • Can be submitted electronically via ePUAP

2. Object situation sketch

   • Drawn to scale (recommended 1:500)
   • Showing location on plot
   • With dimensions and distances from boundaries

3. Property right confirmation documents

   • Current land register extract
   • Loan/lease agreement (if applicable)
   • Power of attorney (for representatives)

4. Photographic documentation

   • Object photos from different sides
   • Technical condition of structure
   • Surroundings and neighborhood

STEP 2: Local plan compliance verification (Time: 1-2 days)

Municipality office verification:

• Checking development plan provisions
• Confirming no additional restrictions
• Determining any special requirements

Possible limitations:

• Landscape protection
• Sanitary zones
• Public purpose investment areas

STEP 3: Utility network agreements (Time: 7-21 days)

Mandatory agreements:

Electricity:

• Notification to energy company
• Implementation deadline: 7-14 days
• Cost: usually free

Natural gas:

• Disconnection application to gas company
• Site inspection required
• Cost: 150-400 PLN

Water and sewerage:

• Notification to water company
• Water meter removal
• Cost: 80-250 PLN

Telecommunications:

• Operator notification
• Installation removal at owner's cost
• Timeline: 3-7 days

STEP 4: Notification submission (Time: 1 day)

Where to submit:

• Municipality/city hall - architecture department
• Electronically via ePUAP
• In person during office hours

Required fees (as of 2025):

• Notification fee: 92 PLN
• Stamp duty: 17 PLN
• Total fee: 109 PLN

Payment methods:

• Cash at office cashier
• Bank transfer to office account
• Online payment (ePUAP system)

STEP 5: Waiting period (30 days)

Office activities:

• Formal document completeness check
• Substantive regulatory compliance assessment
• Possible supplementation requests
• Development plan compliance verification

Possible office decisions:

1. No objection (administrative silence)

• Work can begin after 30 days
• No additional formalities
• Most common situation (approx. 85% of cases)

2. Objection filing

• Office issues objection decision
• Demolition permit required
• Appeal possible to self-government appeals board

3. Supplementation request

• Term is interrupted
• 7 days for document supplementation
• New 30-day term from supplementation

STEP 6: Work commencement (after 30 days)

Pre-commencement obligations:

• Neighbor notification (recommended in writing)
• Construction site securing
• Responsible person designation

Implementation requirements:

• Working hours compliance (usually 7:00-18:00)
• Minimizing neighborhood nuisance
• Proper waste disposal

Most common reasons for office objection

1. Formal problems (40% of cases)

Incomplete documentation:

• Missing situation sketch
• Incorrect object dimensions
• Outdated ownership documents

Form errors:

• Incorrect plot data
• Missing owner signature
• Inconsistency with land register data

2. Parameter exceedance (35% of cases)

Object dimensions:

• Area exceeding 35 m²
• Height exceeding limits
• Additional floors

Location:

• Too close to plot boundary
• In protected area
• In height restriction zone

3. Special requirements (25% of cases)

Environmental protection:

• Suspected asbestos presence
• Threat to protected species
• Groundwater impact

Safety:

• Threat to adjacent objects
• Unresolved technical issues
• Lack of network manager agreements

Total procedure costs

Office fees: 109 PLN Technical documentation: 300-800 PLN Network agreements: 200-650 PLN Geodetic documents: 200-500 PLN Total: 809-2059 PLN

Comparison with demolition permit:

• Time savings: 35 days
• Cost savings: 2000-4000 PLN
• Less complicated procedure

Implementation timeline in 2025

Document preparation: 7-14 days Network agreements: 7-21 days Notification submission: 1 day Decision waiting: 30 days Total time: 45-66 days

Practical advice

✅ How to increase acceptance chances

1. Thorough preparation:

• Checking all object dimensions
• Current ownership documentation
• Clear and accurate sketch

2. Early consultations:

• Discussion with officer before submission
• Local requirements verification
• Surveyor consultation

3. Document completeness:

• All required attachments
• Proper form completion
• Current agreements

❌ Errors to avoid

1. Imprecise measurements:

• Incorrect area determination
• Improper height measurement
• Missing structural elements

2. Late agreements:

• Last-minute network contact
• No time for possible corrections
• Not considering technical deadlines

3. Procedure negligence:

• Starting work before 30 days
• No neighbor notification
• Non-compliance with notification conditions

Appeals and legal remedies

In case of office objection:

1. Appeal to SOK (Self-government Appeals Board)

• Deadline: 14 days from decision delivery
• Fee: 183 PLN
• Processing time: up to 60 days

2. Administrative court complaint

• After exhausting appeal process
• Deadline: 30 days from SOK decision delivery
• Fee: 200 PLN

3. Alternative solutions

• Re-notification after removing objection causes
• Demolition permit application
• Demolition project modification

Controls and violation consequences

Types of controls:

• Formal document control
• Site inspection before commencement
• Controls during work execution

Violation penalties:

• Starting work before deadline: 500-5000 PLN
• Exceeding declared parameters: 1000-10000 PLN
• Lack of network agreements: 2000-20000 PLN

Bibliography

Legal acts:

• Construction Law Act of July 7, 1994 (consolidated text: Journal of Laws of 2024, item 725, Art. 29 sec. 1 point 20)
• Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of June 26, 2002 on construction diary (consolidated text: Journal of Laws of 2024, item 1120)
• Administrative Procedure Code Act of June 14, 1960 (consolidated text: Journal of Laws of 2024, item 572)

Official sources:

• Ministry of Development and Technology - Construction Procedures Guide 2025
• Portal gov.pl - Building demolition notification, access: 2025
• Association of Polish Cities - Administrative Procedure Standards in Construction, 2025
• General Office of Building Control - Construction Law Interpretations, 2025