Are you going to (partially) demolish a building? Then you will soon come across the terms demolition notification and demolition permit. Concepts that are often used interchangeably, but have a clear difference from a legal point of view. And most importantly, if you do not arrange the appropriate notification or permit, you risk delay, suspension of work or even a fine.
In this blog we explain what the difference is between a demolition notification and a demolition permit, when you need one, and how it is arranged. This way you know exactly where you stand if you want to have a house, barn, extension or interior wall demolished.
What is a demolition notice?
A demolition notice is a mandatory notification to the municipality indicating that you intend to carry out construction work that will release demolition waste or remove asbestos. It is not a permit, but it is a mandatory part of the preparation for demolition work.
When is a demolition notification mandatory?
You are required to submit a demolition notification in the following situations:
- 10 m3 or more of demolition waste is released during your work
- You are going to remove asbestos, regardless of the amount
- The work is carried out on a building from before 1994 (which often contains asbestos)
- You want to (partially) demolish a building that may contain asbestos material
When is no demolition notification necessary?
- When demolishing small elements (e.g. interior walls, kitchens or bathrooms) that release less than 10 m3 of waste
- If no asbestos is guaranteed
- When the work takes place entirely within the building and does not pose a risk to the environment
Please note: even if no demolition notification is required, different rules may apply. Always Check this with your municipality or have it arranged by a demolition company such as WijSlopenNu.
What is a demolition permit?
One demolition permit is an official permission from the municipality that you need in special situations. In contrast to a report, this is a review in which the municipality actively assesses whether you are allowed to demolish.
When is a demolition permit mandatory?
A demolition permit (official: demolition of the environmental permit for the activity) is mandatory when:
- The building has a monument status (national monument or municipal monument)
- The property is part of a protected city or village view
- The demolition plans are contrary to the zoning plan
- Other activities covered by the Environmental Act (e.g. building, felling, extension) are also carried out and jointly applied for
In these cases, you should only start demolishing after the permit has been granted — and that can take several weeks.
What is the difference between demolition notification and demolition permit?
| Part | Demolition notification | Demolition permit |
| What is it? | A mandatory notification prior to demolition | Official permission from the municipality |
| When needed? | From 10 m3 of waste or asbestos | In the case of monuments, protected areas, conflicts with zoning |
| Submission via? | Environment counter (4 weeks in advance) | Environmental counter (lead time: 6-14 weeks) |
| Testing? | Administrative only | Active assessment by the municipality |
| Who to arrange with? | Can be done privately or via demolition company | Usually arranged by a consultant / demolition company |
How do you arrange a demolition notification?
A demolition notification is made via the Ambient locket. This must be done at least four weeks before the start of demolition work. You will need the following data for this:
- Details of the property and the owner
- Description of the demolition work
- Indication of the amount of demolition waste
- Asbestos inventory report (mandatory for buildings before 1994)
After submission, you will receive a confirmation. Without objection or additional requirements, you can start demolition after 4 weeks. It is wise to outsource this process to a demolition company so that everything happens correctly and in a timely manner.
What if you do not arrange a demolition notice or permit?
Many people think that small demolition jobs can be carried out without notification. Nevertheless, there are risks here:
- The municipality can stop the work
- You risk a fine in case of violation of the Environmental Law
- Insurance may not pay out in the event of damage or incidents
- When selling, it may turn out that you acted incorrectly, which has legal consequences
In short: even for relatively small jobs such as demolishing a shed or removing an asbestos-containing corrugated board, it is important to have clarity about the obligations in advance.
How does WijSlopenNu help with demolition notifications and permits?
At WijSlopenNu, we understand that applying for a demolition notice or permit can be complex. That is why we inform our customers in good time when a notification or permit is required for their project.
Although we do not submit the application ourselves, we can help you on your way by:
- To signal when a demolition notification or permit is required
- Explain what you can expect in terms of process and lead time
- Indicate which documents you need to provide (such as an asbestos inventory)
- Align our work with the required planning regarding approval of the notification or permit
This way you are well prepared, you avoid delays and you can be sure that the demolition work can start at the right time.
In summary: what should you remember?
- A demolition notification is mandatory for ≥10 m3 of waste or for asbestos
- A demolition permit is required for monuments, protected areas or conflicts with the zoning plan
- Both are controlled via the ambient counter
- No notification or permit = risk of fines and shutdown
- WijSlopenNu arranges all this for you as part of our Demolition Services
Do you want to start carefree with your demolition loop? Request a free quote today near WijSlopenNu. We inform about the correct notification or permit, and carry out the work safely and professionally.