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Survey-grade documentation required before teardown begins.
A demolition plan is a survey-based document that maps existing structures and site features scheduled for removal before a building can be torn down. Local building departments across Georgia require a demolition plan before issuing permits because it identifies what stays, what goes, and how to prevent damage and ensure safety during teardown operations.
Without a proper demolition plan, contractors risk encroaching on neighboring properties or disturbing protected environmental features. A professional demolition plan eliminates these risks by providing a clear, survey-accurate map of all structures and features on the site.
At S&S Land Surveying, we produce demolition plans that satisfy building department requirements across all of Georgia. Our plans include accurate measurements of all structures to be demolished, their relationship to property boundaries and easements, and documentation of adjacent properties and features that must be protected. We verify everything with our own field measurements.
Demolition plans are commonly needed before redevelopment projects, when replacing an old structure with new construction, or when clearing a site for a change of use. Many of our clients in Cedartown, Rome, Cartersville, and surrounding areas combine the demolition plan with a topographic survey or site plan for the new construction, saving time and money by using one surveyor for the entire project.
A demolition plan is a survey-based record of a site as it exists before any structures come down. Its job is to show clearly what is on the property, where each structure sits in relation to boundaries and neighbors, and what needs to be protected, so a teardown can be permitted and carried out safely.
Existing structures and site features. At its core, a demolition plan documents the structures slated for removal, including their footprints, locations, and relationship to one another. It also records the surrounding conditions a demolition can affect, such as driveways, walls, utilities, large trees, and drainage features. Capturing these details creates an accurate before picture of the site that everyone involved can rely on. Because the plan is based on measured field data rather than assumptions, it gives the demolition contractor a dependable reference for planning access, staging, and the sequence of removal.
Boundaries, setbacks, and neighbors. Because demolition often happens close to property lines, a demolition plan ties the work to verified boundaries. It identifies the property lines, setbacks, and easements near the structures being removed and documents adjacent properties that sit close to the work. This information helps crews avoid encroaching on neighboring land or disturbing features that are meant to stay in place.
Utilities and protected features. A thorough demolition plan also flags the things that must be handled with care. Utility connections generally need to be located and disconnected before a structure is removed, and sensitive features such as streams, buffers, or protected trees may need to be shown and preserved. Documenting these items up front reduces the risk of accidental damage, service interruptions, or code violations during the teardown. Identifying these items early also lets the owner arrange any required utility disconnections or environmental approvals before crews mobilize.
Part of the permit package. Local building departments across Georgia commonly require a demolition plan as part of the application for a demolition permit. Reviewed alongside the permit application and any related documents, the plan gives officials what they need to confirm the teardown can be done safely and in line with local rules. Requirements vary from one jurisdiction to the next, and a demolition plan is frequently paired with the survey work for whatever is being built next. Getting the plan right the first time helps keep the permit review moving and avoids the delays that come from resubmitting incomplete paperwork. For the documents your project and jurisdiction require, contact us for details.
Founder William "Bart" Sims brings over 40 years of surveying experience to every project.
Our demolition plans meet county and city requirements the first time.
We handle demolition plans and new construction surveys under one roof.
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Yes, most Georgia counties and municipalities require a demolition plan or demolition survey before issuing a demolition permit. The plan documents existing structures and adjacent properties to ensure safe and compliant teardown.
Demolition plan costs vary based on the size and complexity of the site and number of structures involved. Contact S&S Land Surveying for a free estimate tailored to your project.
A demolition plan includes the location of all structures to be demolished, property boundary verification, setback and easement identification, adjacent property documentation, and any environmental features that must be protected during demolition.
Fieldwork for a demolition plan survey typically takes one day. Office work to prepare the final plan follows the fieldwork.
Absolutely. We frequently handle both the pre-demolition survey and the subsequent site plan or topographic survey for new construction. Combining these services with one surveyor saves time and money since we already have the site data.
Demolition plans are often part of a larger redevelopment project. Consider these related services: