Project topic
Check height, attachment, structure, and site conditions before building.
Decks, porches, platforms, patios, guards, setbacks, and structural review.
Browse all project topics ↗Atlanta treats decks, porches, patios and similar accessory structures as residential permit work; prescriptive decks can qualify for the current over-the-counter path.
Austin exempts only an uncovered deck no larger than 200 square feet, no more than 30 inches above grade, detached from the dwelling, outside required egress and outside a flood hazard area.
Boston uses a Short-Form permit only for repair of an approved existing roof deck without structural changes; a new or expanded roof deck, structural work or missing approved plans uses a Long-Form permit.
A Charlotte deck requires concurrent Mecklenburg County building review and City zoning review when regulated; replacement or upgrade work can still require a permit.
Chicago exempts an at-grade noncombustible patio and a qualifying porch under 50 square feet with a floor no more than six feet above grade, but structural porch or deck work always requires a permit.
Denver classifies first-story ground-level patios, porches, decks, terraces, pergolas and patio covers as Residential Express projects, while structural and more complex work follows residential plan review.
Fort Worth requires a building permit for every platform, walk or deck more than six inches above grade.
Houston requires building permit review and inspections for structural outdoor improvements such as porches, pergolas, awnings and carports; deck scope must be confirmed from its structure and site conditions.
Jacksonville exempts an on-grade patio slab, but a structural deck, patio cover or other regulated construction requires a building permit.
Los Angeles treats a deck as building work that uses plan check; qualifying residential deck projects can use Counter Plan Check.
Miami requires permits for most structural construction and remodeling; the reviewed exemption list does not establish a blanket exemption for a structural residential deck.
New York City requires a construction work permit before constructing or altering a deck or porch.
Phoenix requires a residential construction permit for a wood deck, while an uncovered patio slab or deck under 30 inches above grade can be exempt from a building permit.
Portland requires a building permit for an uncovered deck more than 30 inches above grade; a deck or patio at or below 30 inches can be exempt when site conditions are satisfied.
Seattle usually requires a construction permit for a deck more than 18 inches above grade, a roof deck or deck in an environmentally critical area; an on-grade patio is usually exempt.
Columbus identifies a residential deck as a project that requires both zoning and building approval.
Dallas requires a Residential Alteration Addition Permit for an attached or roofed deck or porch; a small, low, freestanding open deck is exempt only when every published condition is met.
DC requires plan review, a permit and inspections for deck construction; a one-level deck up to 500 square feet at a one- or two-family dwelling can use the published Deck Guide without a design professional when eligible.
Las Vegas requires permits and plans for a deck more than 30 inches above grade and for building a patio or enclosing an existing patio.
Louisville requires a permit for an attached deck and for a freestanding deck over 200 square feet, more than 30 inches above grade or connected near the required exit door.
Metro Nashville requires a building permit for decks, porches and patio covers that are structural or at least 100 square feet, with site and construction documents.
Minneapolis requires a deck permit when the deck is over 30 inches above grade, attached to a frost-footed structure or part of an accessible route; a qualifying low freestanding deck can be exempt.
Oklahoma City requires a permit when an owner constructs, alters, repairs or enlarges a primary or accessory structure, including a structural deck or patio project.
Philadelphia offers a no-plans EZ permit for qualifying residential decks up to 216 square feet, while an on-grade patio and a deck no more than 12 inches above grade can be exempt from zoning review.
Raleigh requires a residential permit and plans for decks, covered or screened porches, patios, porticos, gazebos and similar projects.
Sacramento requires plan review for a deck or patio cover, subject to limited project-specific exemptions.
San Antonio exempts a deck only when it is no more than 200 square feet, no more than 30 inches above grade, unattached and does not serve the dwelling exit; otherwise a permit is required.
San Diego requires a building permit for a residential deck unless a specific Land Development Code exemption applies; standard deck guidance still requires custom plans.
San Francisco requires a building permit for decks over 30 inches above grade; decks over three feet also require Planning Department review, and site conditions can trigger additional review.
Tucson generally requires a residential permit and inspections for porches and regulated decks or patio structures; only a scope that meets every published exemption can proceed without one.