Can I enclose my condo balcony with glass?
Generally not. URA's guidelines say balconies shall not be enclosed with walls or glass panels. Screens are allowed only if they can be fully opened or retracted and still allow natural ventilation when closed, and owners must follow the MCST's design guidelines. Although glass enclosure of a residential balcony is listed as an insignificant work for BCA purposes, that exemption does not override URA's rule or the MCST's authority over the building's appearance.
From the RRD Field Guide, checked against the sources cited in Condo Renovation in Singapore: MCST Approval, By-Laws, Deposits and Prohibited Works. General information, not advice for your project.
The fuller picture
Condo renovations need MCST approval under the development's by-laws, and MCST authorisation under section 37 of the Building (Strata Management) Act for anything that affects the building's appearance or structure. Works adding floor area need a 90% resolution and URA permission. Structural works need a PE and BCA approval; household shelters, façades and balconies are tightly restricted.
More questions on this topic
- Is there a prescribed by-law on renovation in Singapore condos?
- Can my MCST stop me from installing window grilles?
- Can I hack a wall in my condo unit?
- How much is a typical condo renovation deposit?
- Who is responsible for waterproofing in my condo bathroom?
- What can I do if the MCST unreasonably rejects my renovation?
- Does a condo renovation need SCDF approval?