The rule in 7 cities, with their permit counts
Rules from each city's own page, read 23 October 2026. Counts are demolition permits in the city's file over three years to September 2026; "usual days" is the typical time from issue to final inspection.
| City | What the page says | Demolition permits | Usual days to final | Reached a final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | "a pre-demolition inspection and notification to adjacent residential structures for all total demolitions" and partial ones removing over half the exterior walls | 1,925 | 133 | 83.6% |
| Arlington County, VA | "Demolition of an existing structure or building is a separate process from the building permit"; an asbestos inspection form is required | 404 | — | 91.8% |
| Cary, NC | Permit for "Interior and/or exterior wall demolition"; disconnecting power "from a structure or pool that is being removed" | 154 | 73 | 92.7% |
| Columbus, OH | "Demolish an entire structure to grade": permit, no plan review | 283 | 104 | 83.5% |
| Sacramento County (unincorporated) | A permit for anyone who intends to "construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish" a building | 147 | 115 | 89.7% |
| Saint Paul, MN | A general building permit "to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish" residences, garages, carports and decks | 96 | — | 59.4% |
| San Diego County (unincorporated) | No one may "remove, convert or demolish a building or structure" without a permit | 108 | 50 | 93.7% |
Three more, without demolition counts in our file: Naperville and Seattle list "Demolition of a building" (Seattle adds "or structures") as permit work, and Elk Grove requires a permit before "most construction, renovation, repair, or demolition work".
What Austin's process looks like
Austin's page is the most detailed of the ten and shows what a demolition permit can involve:
- Historic review for residential structures 45 years or older, by the Historic Preservation Office and possibly the Historic Landmark Commission.
- A tree review if the work will remove or harm a protected tree of 19 inches or more in diameter, and an inspection of erosion controls and tree protection before work.
- Sewer tap and final plumbing inspections with the pre-construction inspection, "the last inspection conducted prior to demolition".
- Notice to adjacent properties, delivered by the contractor, then a minimum five-day "notification window" before demolition may begin.
What happens if you skip it
- Seattle: a stop work order and fines of "up to $500 per day".
- Arlington County: "Failure to obtain the required permit is a violation of the law."
More in permit vs no permit.
Who pulls it
The demolition or general contractor. In Austin the building inspector hands the "Demolition Notification Packet" to the general contractor, and the contractor must deliver the notices. If a new house follows, Austin recommends confirming with its land-use staff "that new construction will be permitted at the site" before applying to demolish. See remodel vs rebuild if you are still deciding.
How long it takes
The usual demolition permit took 50 days in San Diego County and 73 in Cary, against 104 in Columbus, 115 in Sacramento County and 133 in Austin. Most reach a final: 92.7% in Cary and 91.8% in Arlington County, against 59.4% in Saint Paul.
Check it in five minutes
- Look up the house's year built on the county property record; in Austin, 45 years triggers historic review.
- Plan the utility disconnects; Cary permits the power disconnect, and Austin inspects the sewer tap before demolition.
- Ask the contractor for an asbestos survey; Arlington County requires its Asbestos Inspection and Awareness Form.
See every Austin demolition contractor by permits filed →
What this does not tell you
We read 10 departments' rules; air-quality rules on asbestos and lead, and utility disconnect steps, are separate. Our counts are permits filed as demolitions; a teardown covered by a new-home permit may not be in them.
How we know this
Rules are quoted from the pages under Sources, read 23 October 2026. Permit counts, usual days to final and finished shares come from each city's permit file over the three years ending September 2026. "Usual days" is the median from issue to final inspection; "reached a final" counts permits a year or more old.
Numbers come from City of Austin issued construction permits; Arlington County, VA building and trade permits; Town of Cary building permit applications (issued permits only); City of Columbus Building & Zoning Services permits on 1-, 2- and 3-family homes (the city's Accela permit layer); Sacramento County building permits on single-family, duplex and townhouse homes in the unincorporated county (the County's Accela permit layer); City of Saint Paul building and trade permits (the City's old approved-permits file up to June 2025, and the City's PAULIE permit system since September 2025), with the contractor named on each permit; San Diego County Planning & Development Services building permits on homes in the unincorporated county (the County's open-data permit, contractor and status-history files), data through October 17, 2026. Nobody paid to be on this page and nobody can.
Questions
- Do I need a permit to tear down a shed or detached garage?
For a garage, yes: Saint Paul's general permit covers anyone who will 'demolish' residences, garages, carports and decks, and Seattle and Naperville require one for the 'Demolition of a building'. None of the exempt lists we read covers removing a building, so ask before taking down even a small shed.
- Do I need a permit for interior demolition?
Often, if walls come out. Cary lists 'Interior and/or exterior wall demolition or addition' as permit work, and Austin treats a partial demolition that removes 'more than half of the exterior walls' like a total demolition. Replacing cabinets or flooring is finish work, exempt in Austin, Saint Paul and Elk Grove.
- Do I need to disconnect utilities first?
Yes, and it can be its own step. Cary lists 'disconnect electrical power from a structure or pool that is being removed' as permit work, and Austin runs its sewer tap and final plumbing inspections together with the pre-construction inspection before demolition begins.
- How long does a demolition permit take?
The usual demolition permit reached its final inspection in 50 days in San Diego County, 73 in Cary and 104 in Columbus, against 133 in Austin. Austin adds a minimum five-day notification window before work can start.
- Does an old house need historic review before demolition?
In Austin, at 45 years: 'Residential structures 45 years or older require review by the Historic Preservation Office' and possibly the Historic Landmark Commission. Saint Paul requires Heritage Preservation Commission approval for exterior work needing a building permit in a Heritage Preservation District or Site; check your city's preservation office before applying.
Build your own list
Every firm with that kind of permit on record. Pick what you value. The list moves.
Related guides
- Do I need a permit for an electrical panel upgrade? Yes: the rule in 13 cities, and how long it takes
- Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom? The rule in 14 cities, and what is exempt
- Do I need a permit to remodel a kitchen? The rule in 18 cities, and what is exempt
- Do I need a permit to replace my furnace or AC? The rule in 14 cities, and how many get filed
- Do I need a demolition permit in Miami? Yes, and only a licensed contractor can apply: survey, DERM, trees and the sewer cap
- Do I need a demolition permit in Nashville? Yes, for any structure or part of one
For one city
- Demolition Permit — City of Austin Development Services (accessed 2026-10-23)
- Residential permits — Arlington County, VA (accessed 2026-10-23)
- Residential Permits FAQ — Town of Cary, NC (accessed 2026-10-23)
- Typical Residential Projects (BA 3/26) — City of Columbus, OH (accessed 2026-10-23)
- Frequently Asked Questions — Sacramento County Building Permits and Inspection (accessed 2026-10-23)
- When is a permit required? — City of Saint Paul DSI (accessed 2026-10-23)
- PDS 110 Building Permit Requirements per Adoptive Ordinance (rev. 01/01/2026) — County of San Diego (accessed 2026-10-23)
- Guide to Building Permits (rev. 10/31/2022) — City of Naperville, IL (accessed 2026-10-23)
- Construction Without a Permit — Seattle SDCI (accessed 2026-10-23)
- Do I need a building permit? — City of Elk Grove, CA (accessed 2026-10-23)