Decks
A building permit is required for building a new deck, expanding an existing deck, or replacing an old deck, even if the new deck will be the same size as the old deck.
Proposals to build, expand, or rebuild a deck require:
- A mortgage inspection loan survey at minimum. The survey needs to be at scale.
- A plot plan that you can draw yourself showing existing conditions and proposed new layout. The plan should be understandable and reasonably to scale, and should show proposed distances from property lines as well as where it will be located relative to the house.
- A completed Building Permit Application.
- The estimated cost of the project including labor and materials. The building permit fee will be based on that cost, at a rate of $15 per $1000 estimated cost or part thereof. The minimum fee for all building permits is $25.
- Building permit fee to be paid at time of application.
Criteria for Decks, Balconies, & Stairways:
- Residential single-family and two-family:
minimum 36” high railings for decks 30” off ground or higher and interior balconies.
- Residential multi-family 3 or more units:
Individual unit use only: minimum 36” high railings for decks 30” off ground or higher and interior balconies.
Common use areas: minimum 42” high railings for decks 30” off ground or higher and interior balconies.
- Commercial properties:
minimum 42” high railings for decks 30” off ground or higher and interior balconies.
- All: maximum distance between balusters is less than 4”.
- Stairways, residential single family and two-family:
maximum rise: 7 ¾"
minimum tread: 10”
- Stairways, residential multi-family 3 or more & commercial:
maximum rise: 7"
minimum tread: 11"
- Tread depth is measured from leading edge of tread to leading edge of tread.
- A nosing not less than ¾” but not more than 1 ¼” shall be required on treads where the depth is less than 11”.
- Openings in risers shall not exceed 4”.