Quick Links

Demolition is layered process that requires the person or contractor hoping to demolish a structure to work across the City's organization.

A Demolition Permit is not required when the structure:

  • is under 6,000 cubic feet
  • is not in a historic district
  • has no water or sewer service

Before you apply

  1. Call the Department of Public Utilities to request a "Turn Off and Remove."
    1. If the water tap is smaller than 2" call (419) 245-1800
    2. If the water tap is larger than 2" call (419) 936-2273
  2. Get Certificate of Appropriateness if the property is in a designated Historic District or the Downtown Overlay District. Contact Plan Commission. Call (419) 245-1200
  3. Contact the Health Department for rodent inspection. Call (419) 213-4100
  4. Contact Columbia Gas to verify gas service has been abandoned. Call (800) 344-4077
    1. If gas service is still active, request that it is shut off. Then the contractor can request abandonment.
    2. Request Columbia Gas email the information to Toledo Resources.
  5. Contact Toledo Edison to verify electric service has been abandoned. Call (800) 633-4766
  6. Contact Environmental Services to verify asbestos review requirements. Call (419) 936-3015
  7. Contact the Division of Taxation to get your Toledo Tax ID number. Call (419) 245-1662
  8. Contact the Department of Transportation if the demolition will interfere with the public right-of-way. Call (419) 245-1300
  9. You may need to contact the telephone, internet, and/or cable providers.
  10. Alert the neighbors that the structure is scheduled to be demolished.

Apply for Demolition Permit

The easiest way to apply for a demolition permit, pay fees, and monitor its progress is in our online portal. You can also download and print the paper application below, and return it to the Division of Building Inspection at One Government Center, suite 1600 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Download Demolition Permit Application

    You will need to:

    • provide documentation of the legal description and dimensions of the structure including length, width, and height
    • pay the appropopriate demolition application fees:
      • structures under 6,000 cubic feet are $60
      • structures between 6,000 and 50,000 cubic feet are $100
      • structures over 50,001 cubic feet are $100 plus $3 per 1,00 cubic feet
    • Apply for a Water and Sewer Kill and pay the fees
      • $820 for any taps less than 2"
      • $215 for sewer kill

    You will receive your demolition permit after we have received all verifications and all water and sewer taps have been abandoned.

    After the Structure is Demolished

    1. All drive approaches and curb cuts need to be removed. (TMC 911.14) Contact Engineering Services Division with any questions. Call (419) 245-1315
    2. Any concrete or masonry floors below grade need broken up to allow for ground water drainage.
    3. All walks, drives, slabs, fences, and terraces not within the public right-of-way need removed unless the building official determines that not removing them does not create a public nuisance.
    4. All entrance steps and exterior stairways need removed.
    5. Walls or footers need removed 18" below the existing grade. Walls below grade that are organic material need to be completely removed.
    6. Contact the Water Division to arrange the use of fire hydrants in the event that dust or other air-born material will need to be mitigated with water.
    7. Each site needs to be left clean and graded consistent with the grade that was present before the demolition so that the surface drainage from the abutting property is not negatively impacted. If there is no grade change at the demolition site, notify the building official for approvl before the grade change.
    8. Seed the site with sufficient grass seed.
    9. Any remaining cavity must be secured to prevent public access and filled with clean sand or fill dirt to a depth 18" below the finished grade. On-site, inorganic fill can be used below 18".
    10. All demolition material must go to a licensed landfull.
    11. The demolitions site must be secured to prevent unauthorized access to the site and to ward the public of the dangerous condition. All debris and demolition activity must be kept in the secured area.
    12. On-site salvage material must be stored so that it doesn not create a public nuisnace and only for the life of the demolition permit.
    13. Any underground storage tanks must be completley removed. This will require a seperate permit.