A deck makes an attractive feature and brings a new dimension to your garden. You can use it for innumerable reasons such as relaxation, entertaining friends or dining amidst nature. 

Homeowners often ask: Is a Permit Needed For The Deck Construction? While this seemingly simple question has complex answers. It depends on your location, the size of your home, and even zoning laws in place near you. However, most of the time you require a permit to build a deck. 

 In this article, we will outline when you need a permit to build your deck and explain why they are so important; included in that is the specifics as it relates to whether or not you should get one depending on certain factors around where you live.

Why is a Building Permit Important? 

Many decks often exceed their size limits, that’s why you are required to have a permit for establishing a deck. Taking a permit ensures that you are abiding with the local building codes and your deck pattern and design is safe and protective. It also ensures the safety of the current and future homeowners as well as any visitor. 

In case of an accident, permits are helpful when home insurance asks for the proof of fulfillment. 

In future, if you want to sell your house, you are responsible for any unpermitted work done in your house. You have to verify all the permitted work done in your house.

If you have already done any unpermitted work and do not verify it, this will make it difficult for the resale of your home at its full price.

What are the Consequences of not Getting a Building Permit?

Do not take it easy if you don’t  get a permit to build a deck.  Owner person can get fined for not having a proper permit. In some cases you have to even destroy the newly designed deck. 

City authorities check for any unpermitted work in the house from annual  property tax assessments, any neighbor’s complaint, or any property inspector visit.If any unpermitted work was done, the homeowner’s insurance will not increase to cover the home cost. 

If unpermitted work was unchecked for many years, and now you want to sell the house either owner has to destroy all the unpermitted work from the house and sell the house. Otherwise, the owner has to get analytical permits to sell the house.

Method to Get a Permit for Building a Deck

It depends on your country or city. The application process can vary depending on your site location and project. 

Step 1: Contact Local Authorities

The homeowner is always answerable for pulling a permit, so if you want to design a deck, visit your building department along with the following documents.

• Permit application
• Construction plan
• Fee for permit
• Copies of license
• Site plan

Step 2: Submit Plans

The building department can also ask for a project design drawing for better understanding the scope of your project.Owner or contractor can submit handmade drawings or computer software edited drawings.

The deck plan must have following three things:

• Project scope
• Installation notes
• Materials required

Step 3: Review of Application

The building department will review your application and then they will decide if you are eligible for the permit or not. This procedure usually takes 15 days.

Smaller projects don’t require a long description of work , material requirements or additional information in the site plan,but the longer projects like decks do require additional information about the project.

Type of Decks Which Do not Require a Permit

It is necessary to check your area rules and regulations. However, some decks do not require building permits like decks with an area of less than 200 square feet, decks below 30 inches, or a deck not connected to your home.These values can vary in accordance with the city or country, or site plan.             

Instructions to Calculate Deck Footage     

You can calculate your deck  footage by multiplying its length with its width. A deck smaller than 200 square feet could have dimensions like 14 feet by 14 feet, 12 feet by 15 feet or 9 feet by 20 feet as far as the size is 199 feet.

Here is list of other decks which do not require building permit:

• Low-Rise Decks
• Freestanding Decks
• Simple Ground-Level Platforms
• Temporary or Movable Decks
• Private property setback decks
• Decorative decks Non-structural

Role of Contractors in Getting a Permit 

Building contractors have a key role in getting building permits for construction projects that involve the installation of any deck. 

Obtaining a building permit involves submitting detailed plans, paying fees, and sometimes making adjustments to meet code requirements.Contractors are adept at handling these tasks efficiently. They can prepare and submit the necessary paperwork, communicate with local authorities, and address any issues that arise, saving homeowners significant time and stress.

In addition to handling permits, contractors can offer valuable advice on deck design and construction. For instance, Smart Remodeling LLC, a well-regarded contractor based in Houston, excels in both areas. With 14 years of experience and recognition as a “Best of Houzz” award winner for 2024, our team is well-equipped to guide homeowners through the permit process and deliver high-quality deck construction as part of a broader home addition project.

So Contact Us today. 

Final Words 

It is important to know what laws apply and whether you need a permit to build a deck. Whether or not a permit is required varies from area to area and often depends on factors like the size, height, distance of your deck from property lines, whether it attaches to other structures as well as specific local building codes and zoning regulations.

While getting the permit itself is important, a deck must be built in compliance with structural standards and include other factors related to safety as well. Failure to secure a permit could result in fines, legal troubles and perhaps most importantly potential safety hazards which can sour the excitement of your new deck as well as reduce future resale possibilities.