Emergency Demolition

When does a building get demolished?

Emergency Demolitions will be prioritized when an official from the Building Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED) issues an Emergency Order to Demolish because the building is in imminent danger of collapse with an occupied structure on one or more sides or onto a Right of Way.

When are Demolition orders issued?

Emergency Demolition Orders are issued when, in the opinion of the Building Official, conditions of a building, structure, or any part of a structure are found to be structurally unsound, unsafe, dangerous, imminent danger, and/or poses an actual and immediate threat to the health, safety and welfare of the public. Only Building officials from BSEED have the ability to determine if a property qualifies for an emergency demolition.

Examples include (but are not limited to):

• Leaning, bowing, and/or missing walls
• Building collapsed into the basement leaving a void

Do you know a building in the emergency category for demolition?

Contact the Building Department to report an Emergency Demolition

Call (313) 224-3215 or email us at [email protected]