Demolition permit: Who takes care of the formalities?

Hello,

After I already asked for your opinion regarding two existing properties, we now actually have a plot of land (with a demolition object) in the west of Frankfurt, almost secured.
So, in the first step, the existing building would have to be demolished, after that we would obtain offers from construction companies or possibly architects.

I have now found out that demolitions larger than 300 cubic meters (which would definitely be the case here) require approval in Hesse and have also read the exact requirements (documents) from the city of Frankfurt. That is already relatively complicated and extensive...
Therefore, my question now is: Who generally compiles these documents and submits the application for demolition approval? Can the contracted demolition company do that? Do I have to do it myself? Or is it possibly necessary to already have (as later for the building permit) an architect here too?

Best regards
Laura

I think it is best if you take care of that yourself. You don’t need an architect for that, but in some cities you do need proof that the suitability for humane living no longer exists, in order to officially change the use of the living space.

So, the existing building would need to be demolished first, then we would get quotes from construction companies or possibly architects.

My first step would be to clarify the usability, for example of the existing basement, for the planned building.

"It is not nice and it belongs to me, so I alone decide that it has to go and is allowed to go" is a naive calculation and often also unwise.

In our region (Bayern), the architect submitted a demolition application. The building authority wanted a plan that precisely indicated what was to be demolished and a few more forms and calculations.

The building is not a residential house, but a one-story approximately 200 square meter "hall" (without basement) aka retail space in a residential area. I believe it cannot be reasonably recycled as a residential house. At most, the paving of the driveway or something like that, if it survives the construction work...

The building is not a residential house, but a one-story approximately 200 square meter "hall" (without basement) aka retail space in a residential area.

Then a demolition is therefore also not a "misuse of residential space," and should basically be a formality: 1. earning a small fee for the decision issued to you, 2. including conditions or instructions in the decision that construction debris does not belong in the yellow sack ;-) and 3. updating the cadastral map to show which outlines of construction are being removed. I don't see any questions coming your way that would overwhelm a layperson when filling out the application. They will probably just want to put it back on file, waiting to know when they can expect proof of proper debris disposal from you in their mailbox. The caseworkers will only need minutes to calmly determine that no high-rise building has to be demolished here.

I think it cannot be reasonably recycled as a residential house.

I was also thinking more of a residential house, in whose basement all the connections are already installed and which is usually good enough as a storage room, which a new one could only slightly surpass.