Office-tels Also Install Balcony Windows... "Balcony Expansion Not Allowed"

Seoul City announced on the 19th that it will implement regulatory easing, including fully allowing the installation of windows on officetel balconies.

Earlier, on the 25th of last month, the city announced Regulatory Abolition No. 42 and abolished the "Seoul City Officetel Balcony Installation Standards." With the abolition of these standards, it has become possible to install windows on the exterior side of officetel balconies.

The allowable range for balcony installation in existing officetels (floors 3 to 20 above ground) has also been relaxed, and standards such as a minimum effective balcony width of 0.8m have been removed. However, since officetels are classified as office facilities under the Building Act, structural changes (expansion) unlike residential balconies are not permitted. Additionally, balconies must be installed for their original purposes such as views and relaxation.

The city expects that this measure will expand autonomy in private officetel construction plans, enabling freer and more diverse floor plan designs. It plans to encourage various private balcony plans to expand the supply of small-scale residential officetels.

Since May of last year, the city had established and enforced the "Seoul City Officetel Balcony Installation Standards," which required officetel balconies to have an effective width of at least 0.8m and restricted window installation on the exterior side of balconies. However, on-site feedback indicated that these regulations limited design flexibility and hindered free balcony planning. Accordingly, the city decided to abolish the standards.

Choi Jin-seok, Director of the Seoul City Housing Office, said, "We will continue to pursue reasonable regulatory improvements to enhance residential convenience for actual users and to supply various types of residential facilities."