To dig or not to dig? (timing query)

[ulvit]

Okay, sneaky question here.

On my father in laws OB project, he is waiting on some final items (and in my opinion not important) to form the building permit. His place has been demolished and completed about 2-3 weeks ago. Basically, the permit has taken over 6 months to get because of changes required to engineering (nothing to do with foundations).

The query is, can he start on the excavation now (legally) or does he have to wait for the building permit to be provided? - Query relates to no building, just digging

 

[jward101]

Would the safest 'bet' be to check with the approving authority?

 

[westminster]

My own FIL did this. FILs are a wily bunch

He started his earthworks for retaining before building permit. Council did get wind and investigated. He was ok as it was retaining work not footings, buildings etc.

Your local council may have different rules however for ours it was ok to do levels, access tracks, retaining etc.

 

[Jake D]

...because of changes required to engineering (nothing to do with foundations)...

While I don't know what your engineering problem is, any sort of change can easily affect the footing design/layout.

(I work for residential structural engineers.)