Demolition

Demolition is the removal of the existing home from the lot where a new home will be
built.   Lots such as these are referred to as a brown field sites because they have
previously been built on. If a home is being built on a lot that has not previously had a
home built on it, the lot is referred to as a greenfield site. Typically during the
demolition phase of a project, an excavator removes the old home and the debris is
sorted and either recycled or sent to the landfill. Drywall, metal and wood products can
be recycled.

Metro Vancouver created a resource titled the DCL Waste Management Toolkit, which is
a guide for contractors.  This resource can be used to reduce the amount of waste sent to
the landfill during the demolition, land clearing and construction phases of a
construction project.
Underground oil storage tanks should be properly decommissioned and removed prior
to demolition. Municipalities have different ways of addressing underground oil storage
tanks.  The City of North Vancouver does not currently provide direction to homeowners
or contractors with respect to how to decommission underground storage tanks.

District of West Vancouver Underground Oil Tanks

 

Site Clearing
After the existing home has been removed, site clearing can take place. Site clearing
typically involves the removal of non-protected trees as well as other vegetation and
structures such as sheds, decks, carports and other detached structures located on the
building lot.

Mitigation ideas for these phases.