Can demolition begin before Building Approval is issued?
Generally, no. If demolition requires BA, you must obtain the Building Approval and commencement notice before starting. Some demolition may be exempt from BA if it satisfies the applicable exemptions under Schedule 1 of the Building (General) Regulation 2008.
Generally, no. If the demolition requires Building Approval (BA), the BA must be issued before the demolition work can start. ACT Planning states that most building projects involving demolition require BA.
After the BA is issued, the builder must also obtain a commencement notice from the building certifier. Building work can start once that notice has been issued.
However, some demolition work can be exempt from BA. ACT Planning states that demolition is BA-exempt where the building would be exempt from BA if it were built today and the work satisfies the other applicable general exemption rules.
Reference: ACT: Building Approvals - https://www.planning.act.gov.au/applications-and-assessments/building-approvals
Link on the answer: https://www.planning.act.gov.au/applications-and-assessments/building-approvals
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| Dual Occupancy Q&A | #419 | agrees | 14/08/2026 |