Do you need strata or council approval to remove a load bearing wall?

Question

Do you need strata or council approval to remove a load bearing wall?

Answer 1

Not if it is internal... only if you are changing the floor plan or the roof of the building. It needs to be recorded as an alteration in council records, so that who ever gets the house after you knows what has been done.

But you certainly need an engineer to come and have a look, or you could damage the building beyond repair or incur a hefty repair bill that is not covered by insurance.

A beam needs to be inserted where the wall was, or the roof structure needs to be changed as well, so that the weight is distributed over different weight bearing places.

So get proper professional advice before you start.

Answer 2

If you remove a load bearing wall without replacing it with a beam of some kind to hold up the ceiling and whatever is above it, it might very well come down to join you.  Get a structural engineer to do calculations.  They can advise if you need to get a permit.

Dave

http://www.single-family-home-remodeling...

Answer 3

Look at your by-laws.  I'm pretty certain the answer is yes. Removing a load bearing wall without having the replacement beam engineered and without having  council approval, could place you in a situation you really don't want or need. If there are suites above you and you remove the wall and it causes problems in those suites, you are responsible. And because you did not do it through the proper channels, your insurance will not cover you. If you are top floor and problems occur with the roof...the same thing applies. Most condos have bylaws stating any interior structure changes require council approval. The council may very well approve the change as long as it is signed off by a structural engineer and the work is done by qualified and insured contractors. You, of course, will also have to sign a liability form assuming all liability in the case of damage to the common property or the property of others.