Removal of existing balcony - building consent?

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Carpenter88

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#261413 26-Nov-2019 14:42

We have an existing balcony that is on the first storey level (second floor) and is less than 10sqm. It is supported by two wooden joists. It has become unstable and we would like to remove it completely. Would we need building consent for this?

billgates

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#2360968 26-Nov-2019 14:49

You need to check this with your local council.

Do whatever you want to do man.

Carpenter88

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2360972 26-Nov-2019 14:55

The only building consent advisor is away for two weeks apparently so they are unable to answer my question. It's something I want to address immediately as it's become a hazard

wellygary

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#2360974 26-Nov-2019 14:59

Decisions on consents are determined by each local council, so there is unlikely to be a nation-wide rule for it,

...but 2 things make me think you will need one,

1/ depending on what you have to remove the external waterproofing may be at risk,

2/ You will have to replace the door out on to the balcony with a window or some other non opening version....

Zeon

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#2360975 26-Nov-2019 14:59

Can you just not use it if its a hazard? Classic, rules designed to make things "safer" now make us scared to remove something that is potentially hazardous :)

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xpd

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#2360978 26-Nov-2019 15:12

Remove it permanently or look to replace it ?

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PolicyGuy

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#2361029 26-Nov-2019 17:52

xpd:
Remove it permanently or look to replace it ?

You could probably get away with that
"No, I haven't removed it, I'm just replacing it like-for-like as the old one was unsafe"
"Well yes, now you mention it, I am perhaps a little slow on the rebuilding aspect. My wife has actually mentioned it. Once or twice"
;-)

MadEngineer

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#2361133 26-Nov-2019 20:37

Check if the council have it in their plans. It may already be a structure that was put up without consent so could be freely removed.

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Bung

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#2361187 26-Nov-2019 21:53

wellygary:
Decisions on consents are determined by each local council, so there is unlikely to be a nation-wide rule for it,

...but 2 things make me think you will need one,

1/ depending on what you have to remove the external waterproofing may be at risk,

2/ You will have to replace the door out on to the balcony with a window or some other non opening version....

MBIE do have a nationwide schedule in the Building Act for building work not requiring Building Consent.

I think it would come under Clause 31 Removal of a building element under 3 storeys that doesn't affect the rest of the structure. There are other Clauses that would cover the repair work required for example to change a door into a window.

That's assuming that the OP is freehold and doesn't have any other parties involved in the footprint of his building.