Can You Renovate Your Bathroom Without Strata Approval?

So, you're dreaming of a bathroom makeover—fresh tiles, a fancy new vanity, maybe even one of those rain showerheads that make you feel like you're in a luxury spa. But before you start picking out grout colors, there's one big question you need to ask: Do I need strata approval?

Short answer? Probably.

Longer answer? Well, let's dive in.

Check Your Strata By-Laws (But Don't Get Your Hopes Up)

Before you do anything, grab a copy of your strata by-laws and give them a read. If there's a magical clause that says, "Go forth and renovate freely, no approval needed!"—great! But, spoiler alert: we've never seen that clause exist.

In our experience, any renovation in a strata property requires approval. So, if your dream bathroom includes more than just a new coat of paint, it's time to get strata on board.

The Strata By-Law Approval Process

To get strata’s blessing, you'll need a lawyer-drafted by-law that outlines your planned works. If you’re thinking, “Great, I’ll just call a lawyer and tell them I want a new bathroom,” hold up! The lawyer will need to know exactly what you're planning before they can draft anything useful.

That’s where architectural plans (or at the very least, a detailed scope of works document) come in. These show exactly what’s changing—whether you’re moving plumbing, altering walls, or just swapping out fixtures. If you need help sourcing a by-law or sorting out your plans, we've got you covered.

You Got Strata Approval! Time to Start? Not So Fast.

Hooray! Your strata committee voted yes, and you have your shiny new by-law. Time to start swinging hammers? Not quite.

One of the commitments you've made in your by-law is to provide strata with a number of documents, for instance, your builder's license and insurance details—usually at least 14 days before work begins. That means you need to sort this before your builder sets foot on-site.

Any builder familiar with strata work will ask for strata approval before they start. If yours doesn’t? That’s a red flag.

Oh, and About That Legal Fine Print…

Buried in that lawyer-drafted by-law is a line that says you agree to comply with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Easy to miss, but super important. Translation? If your renovation requires council approval, you’ve just legally agreed to get it.

Do You Need Council Approval for a Bathroom Reno?

Here’s where I wish I had a simple answer, but instead, I have to say: It depends. (And trust me, I get tired of saying that too.)

If you want to avoid council approval, your renovation must qualify as Exempt Development under NSW government rules. The big one for bathrooms? The “arrangement” of the room must remain the same.

For us at TightKnit, that means:

• No new floor penetrations (e.g., relocating a bath drain)
• No removal of walls

If your plans involve either of these, you might need council approval.

Need Help? Let's Chat.

If all this feels like a lot to navigate (because, well, it is), we’re here to help. Book a Project Discovery Call with us, and we’ll empower you to navigate the process—so you can get back to the fun stuff, like choosing tapware that actually matches your tiles.

Happy renovating!