One & Two Family Dwelling Deck Guide
This guide was prepared to assist you in planning you deck. By submitting the necessary information, this office will be better able to process your application and evaluate your structure in terms of quality and safety. NOTE: Decks that are less than 30” above grade, do not have a roof and are not used for hot tubs, are not required to have a building permit.
The following items are required to be submitted with the original application for building permit:
- Submit a copy of local municipality zoning approval
- Two (2) complete sets of building plans drawn to scale
- Plans must be in ink -- no pencil.
- Copies are acceptable. If copies are submitted, they must be legible.
The following items are to be indicated on the building plan
- Building setback dimensions
- Top, front, and side views of deck
- Size, thickness, and depth (below grade) of footings
- Size, type, and spacing of columns
- Type of wood used. (specs & grade) (e.g. southern yellow pine (syp) pressure treated)
- Size of floor joist, span, and distance of repetitive member
- Size, type and span of all girders (beams)
- Height of wood joist, girders, and floor above exposed earth
- Type and thickness of floor sheathing (deck)
- Height of stair risers and depth/width of tread
- Height of handrail and balustrade spacing
- Height of guardrail and balustrade spacing
- Ledger that joist are to be fastened to, bolt spacing and flashing (if applicable)
- Type of fasteners (nails, bolts, screws, etc) (hot dip galvanized or stainless), if other type provided specification from manufacturer for approval for use in pressure treated wood.
Reminder: The zoning approval and plans may be copies, but the Building Permit Application must be an original.