Load-Bearing Wall Removal Permit Guide

Removing a load-bearing wall is one of the most common structural modifications in Georgia homes. It requires a building permit and PE-stamped engineering plans.

Is the Wall Load-Bearing?

Signs a wall may be load-bearing:

It runs perpendicular to floor joists
It supports a ceiling joist or roof structure
It's located above another wall or beam below
It's an exterior wall

Never remove a wall without confirming whether it's load-bearing. A licensed engineer can determine this through inspection.

Permit Requirements

To get a permit for wall removal, you'll need:

Existing condition drawings — Showing the current layout
Proposed condition drawings — Showing the new layout
PE-stamped engineering — Beam design, post/pier design, connections
Load calculations — Demonstrating the new structure can carry the load

Engineering Process

Site inspection — Engineer visits to measure and assess the existing structure
Load calculation — Determine loads from roof, floors, and walls above
Beam design — Size the replacement beam (steel, LVL, or flitch plate)
Support design — Design posts, piers, and footings to carry the load down
Connection details — How the beam connects to posts and existing structure
PE stamp — Plans are stamped and ready for permit submission

Common Beam Types

LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) — Common for residential, cost-effective
Steel W-beam — For longer spans or heavier loads
Flitch plate — Steel plate sandwiched between wood members
Glulam — Engineered wood beam, aesthetic appeal

Risks of Removing a Wall Without Engineering

Sagging floors or ceilings
Cracked drywall
Door and window misalignment
Roof structural failure
Insurance and liability issues — Unpermitted work can void homeowners insurance

Cost Considerations

The engineering cost is typically a fraction of the total project cost, but skipping it can lead to catastrophic structural failures.

Call (833) 205-7710 for load-bearing wall engineering.

Load-Bearing Wall Removal Permit Guide