DEMOLITION REGULATIONS
A permit application and construction documents shall be submitted for each structure to be demolished. These regulations shall govern all matters concerning the demolition or removal of buildings and structures in order to protect public safety, health, welfare, adjoining properties, utilities, and public rights-of-way from hazards associated with demolition activities.
The application for a demolition permit shall be accompanied by a site plan drawn to scale showing the size and location of all existing structures and improvements to remain, distances from lot lines, established street grades, proposed finished grades, and any other information required by the Town. Site plans shall be based upon an accurate boundary line survey where required.
All measures required by the Town of Galena for the enclosure of the site and protection of the public shall be completed prior to the commencement of demolition work. The contractor shall erect and maintain all barriers, fencing, sidewalk protection, sheds, underpinning, silt fencing, and other temporary safeguards required by the Town, County, State, or applicable building codes. All temporary protections and barriers shall be removed upon completion of the work.
Prior to demolition, the contractor shall notify all public utilities, including but not limited to gas, electric, water, sewer, telephone, cable, and other utility providers, and shall arrange for the proper disconnection of all utility services. No demolition permit shall be issued until confirmation has been received that all required utility disconnections have been completed to the satisfaction of the applicable utility providers. Water, sewer, and gas lines shall be removed and capped at the property line or as otherwise required by the utility provider. The contractor shall coordinate all water and sewer disconnections with Kent County Public Works.
A competent foreman or supervisor shall remain in charge of the work at all times during demolition operations.
The applicant shall obtain permission from adjoining property owners whenever demolition activities require access to or entry upon neighboring property. Any person performing demolition work shall, at their own expense, preserve and protect adjoining lots, buildings, structures, sidewalks, streets, utilities, and public property from damage or injury. In the event damage occurs to adjoining property or unsafe conditions arise, all work shall cease until appropriate corrective and preventative measures have been implemented.
All work shall be conducted in compliance with applicable Town, County, State, and Federal laws, ordinances, regulations, and generally accepted safety standards.
Demolition work may not occur between the hours of 9:00 PM and 8:00 AM Monday through Friday, nor between 9:00 PM and 9:00 AM on Saturdays, Sundays, or Federal holidays. Failure to comply with the Town of Galena Noise Ordinance may result in enforcement action or citation.
Every excavation associated with demolition located within five (5) feet of a street lot line or sidewalk shall be enclosed with a barrier not less than six (6) feet in height to prevent unauthorized access. Where excavations are located more than five (5) feet from a street lot line, barriers shall be provided where required by the code official. Wherever the ground is excavated beneath a sidewalk, a sidewalk bridge shall be constructed in accordance with the applicable International Building Code.
All buildings under demolition shall be provided with at least one (1) portable fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2-A:20-B:C at each exit on all floor levels where combustible materials have accumulated. Additional extinguishers shall be provided in construction sheds, storage areas, and wherever special hazards such as flammable or combustible liquids are present.
All waste materials shall be promptly removed from the site and stored in a manner that does not create a fire hazard or constitute a nuisance to adjacent properties or public rights-of-way. Materials shall not be dropped or thrown outside the exterior walls of a building during demolition. Approved chutes or other controlled methods shall be used where necessary. Dust shall be controlled by wetting materials or by other approved means to prevent the creation of a nuisance.
Construction materials and equipment shall not be stored within any street, sidewalk, or public right-of-way without approval from the appropriate authority. Materials and equipment shall be arranged so as not to interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic, intersections, transit loading areas, or visibility.
Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) regulations regarding asbestos inspection and hazardous materials shall be complied with prior to permit issuance. Residential property owners may provide a written statement indicating no asbestos is present; however, if asbestos or hazardous materials are discovered during demolition, all work shall cease immediately and MDE shall be contacted. Commercial structures shall provide documentation demonstrating that no hazardous materials exist within the structure, or proof of satisfactory removal and required MDE forms prior to permit issuance.
Where a structure has been demolished and no new building permit has been issued, the vacant lot shall be filled, graded, stabilized, and maintained in conformity with established street grades and in a manner that prevents standing water, erosion, or damage to adjoining properties.
Upon completion of the work, the site shall be cleared of all debris, trash, and demolition materials, and shall be left in a neat, clean, safe, and orderly condition. Any damage to sidewalks, streets, utilities, or adjoining property shall be repaired. All cellars, foundations, and excavations shall be properly barricaded or backfilled to grade, stabilized, and seeded where necessary. Interior sidewalks or walkways not maintained by the Town shall be removed and backfilled with topsoil, graded, and seeded. The demolition contractor shall contact the Town of Galena at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance to schedule a final inspection.