Can the municipality demolish my apartment addition even if I bought it legally?

Yes. The municipality's enforcement powers under the Planning and Building Law 5725-1965 are not extinguished by a change of ownership. Under Section 212 of the Law, a demolition order (tzav haris) issued against unauthorized construction runs with the property — not with the person who built it. If an enclosed balcony, an unauthorized rooftop room, or an unregistered basement exists without a valid building permit, the local planning and building committee can issue a demolition order against you as the current owner.

The criminal statute of limitations — 7 years from the date of the violation — does not limit the committee's power to order demolition of an existing illegal structure. Criminal liability may be time-barred, but the power to compel demolition of the structure itself is not. A demolition order typically allows 30–90 days for voluntary compliance. If the structure is not removed within that period, the municipality (Iriyah) may appoint a contractor and charge the cost — typically NIS 15,000–80,000 for a residential addition — to the property owner, registering a debt lien at the Land Registry to secure repayment. For more detail, see Unauthorized Building in Israel: A Complete Guide for Foreign Buyers and Property Owners.