can I demolish a internal house stairs legally?

[abc]

where i can i verify if it's legal to do this...

a house has a staircase going from 2nd floor down to 1st floor.... it's not the main stair case, just some auxilary lookin staircase in between a bedroom and a kitchen. if I demolish it I can then make either room bigger, and remove the door on the 2nd floor that used to lead to the stairs...


the legal concern is 2nd floor if it's being rented to tenants... they lose 1 supposed 'exit' in case of fire etc...

 

[iwearnosox]

Can a staircase be load bearing? Sounds tricky to me.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Call it an accident.

 

[Ness]

Umm... from the sound of it you have no clue what you are doing, so you should probably contact a contractor about it anyway... usually estimates are free and they could probably explain the legalities of it to you, too.

As far as having a tennant up there, as long as they have clear access through another staircase, then there shouldn't be a problem. If it's a house and you are renting a room, then it really wouldn't be much different than if you were living up there instead. If you are renting the whole upstairs as an apartment type situation, then you should probably check local laws of being a landlord. If you go to your city building they can either tell you where to obtain them, which is usually the library (or they may be able to give a copy right there.)

You would probably need a building permit for something like this anyhow, and if there was a problem with it legally, they could tell you then.

 

[Shawn]

pics?

 

[DrPizza]

In most places, you can do whatever the heck you want to your house, as long as it stays within code. There are some areas where the trades unions have enough pull with legislators that you need a permit and licensed plumber if the act of wiping your butt is going to cause your toilet to move 1/16th of an inch to the side because a bolt is loose.

Building permits aren't required here for most home projects, exceptions I know are when doing an addition (obviously), and changing the size of window/door openings, and, I think, changing load bearing walls. Rewiring, plumbing, etc. don't require a permit, nor do they require you to hire a licensed contractor/plumber/electrician here. I can almost see a reason for them, but honestly don't think it's fair to require everyone to use them because of a select few morons who'll do wiring with no clue what they're doing.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: Sifl
Can a staircase be load bearing? Sounds tricky to me.

Not afaik. I suppose it's possible, but I can't think of a design where it actually is. I don't think any good designs would incorporate a load bearing staircase.

 

[waggy]

i had a old farmhouse that had a staircase in the kitchen to the 2nd floor (back bedrooms, farmhand rooms). Well it had a nicer staircase in the front. We also needed storage room for both the 2nd floor and kitchen. So we were able to take the stairs out and make it into a big closet!

we could have taken the wall out in the kitchen. well parts of it.

 

[MacBaine]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: Sifl
Can a staircase be load bearing? Sounds tricky to me.

Not afaik. I suppose it's possible, but I can't think of a design where it actually is. I don't think any good designs would incorporate a load bearing staircase.

I only walk on load bearing staircases.

 

[JediJeb]

It is really going to depend on the zoning and premitting regulations in your community. Where my dad lives there are no zoning laws for things like that you all you really have to do is get and electrical and plumbing inspection when you build something new. Where I live you have to have a permit anytime you build anything attached to your house . So just go to your local courthouse and check on what the permitting requirements are.

 

[IamElectro]

You may need a building permit depending on your area.

Around here if you live in the city limits and are doing more that $500 in construction you have to have a building
permit, and inspectors come in to check things out.

I would check with your local building and zoning office. Tearing out a set of steps will create quite a bit of debris and require a special pickup for trash.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: MacBaine

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: Sifl
Can a staircase be load bearing? Sounds tricky to me.

Not afaik. I suppose it's possible, but I can't think of a design where it actually is. I don't think any good designs would incorporate a load bearing staircase.

I only walk on load bearing staircases.

:roll:

 

[CPA]

What the inspectors and permit issuers don't know, won't hurt them.

 

[DrPizza]

there you go!
I tried to talk my dad into just having me replace his hot water tank (NJ) but he wouldn't hear of it - it's against code. (GASP!) So, I suggested that I send my 14 year old son to do it instead... Like they'd fine him (to give him an idea how simple a job it was)

 

[DuffmanOhYeah]

Depends...I know here in Boston, law mandates a second avenue of egress.