When a Deck Needs a Permit: Height and Size Rules by City

Quick Facts

From our city pages and each city's open permit data (refreshed October 30, 2026).

Height and Size Thresholds Compared

City-By-City Deck Permit Rules

These summaries come from the same official sources as our city pages and were last checked October 30, 2026. Permit counts are the city's own open-data records for the last 12 months.

Chicago: Usually Yes

A permit is needed for most porch and deck work. The exceptions are in-kind replacement of non-structural parts (deck boards, treads, pickets) and in-kind repair or replacement of a whole porch, deck or stair system no more than 6 feet above ground with a landing of 50 sq ft or less.

• Exempt: in-kind replacement of deck boards, stair treads or railing pickets (if no violation has been issued).
• Exempt: in-kind rebuild of a porch or deck up to 6 ft high with a landing of 50 sq ft or less.
• New decks, size or layout changes and enclosed porches need a plan-based permit.
• Chicago issued 1,350 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 13 days from application to issue.

Source: Chicago DOB: Porches, Decks and Balconies (work not requiring a permit) · Full details: Chicago Deck Permits

Austin: Usually Yes

A deck is exempt only if it is 200 sq ft or less, no more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to the house, not used for egress and not in a flood hazard area. Other decks need a building permit; repairs limited to existing deck boards are exempt.

• Exempt: detached decks up to 200 sq ft and 30 in above grade.
• Exempt: non-structural repairs limited to deck boards.
• Attached decks need a building permit.
• Austin issued 385 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 104 days from application to issue.

Source: Austin DSD: Work Exempt from Building Permits · Full details: Austin Deck Permits

Seattle: Sometimes

You need a construction permit for a deck more than 18 inches above the ground or any roof deck. Most decks on neighborhood residential lots get a same-day Subject-to-Field-Inspection (STFI) permit.

• Permit if more than 18 in above ground or a roof deck (SRC R105.2).
• Most decks qualify for an over-the-counter STFI permit.
• Decks over 36 in count toward lot coverage.
• Seattle issued 88 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 7 days from application to issue.

Source: Seattle SDCI Tip 312: Decks, Fences and Arbors

Philadelphia: Usually Yes

Decks less than 12 inches above ground need no permit. Higher decks need a building permit, and a zoning permit too if they exceed 216 sq ft, sit above the first floor or are in a front or side yard. Decks up to 216 sq ft can use an EZ permit.

• Under 12 in above ground: no permit.
• Over 12 in: building permit; EZ permit for decks up to 216 sq ft.
• Zoning permit if over 216 sq ft, above the first floor, or in a front/side yard.
• Philadelphia issued 397 matching permits in the last 12 months.

Source: Philadelphia L&I: Start Right guide (June 2026)

Baltimore: Yes

Decks are not on Baltimore's list of work exempt from permit, so building one needs a building permit. The City requires a footing inspection and a final inspection for decks.

• Decks are not on the exempt list.
• Required inspections: footing and final.
• Zoning setbacks apply.
• Baltimore issued 773 matching permits in the last 12 months.

Source: Baltimore DHCD: Work Exempt from Permit · Full details: Baltimore Deck Permits

Nashville: Yes

Building a new deck or replacing a deck requires a permit in Nashville, as does replacing more than 100 sq ft of deck boards or any footings or framing. Removing a deck without replacing it does not.

• Permit: new or replacement decks.
• Permit: deck board replacement over 100 sq ft, or any footing/framing work.
• Owner-occupants can self-permit; LLC/trust owners only for work under $25,000.
• Nashville issued 222 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 13 days from application to issue.

Source: Metro Nashville Codes: Add a Deck or Patio to a Residence · Full details: Nashville Deck Permits

Raleigh: Yes

New decks need a building permit in Raleigh. Under state law, replacing only deck boards, railings, pickets or stair treads is exempt when it costs $40,000 or less.

• New decks and porches: building permit.
• Exempt: replacing decking, railings, pickets or treads up to $40,000.
• Load-bearing work always needs a permit.
• Raleigh issued 529 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 24 days from application to issue.

Source: Raleigh: How to Get a Residential Permit · Full details: Raleigh Deck Permits

San Francisco: Usually Yes

Decks need a building permit in San Francisco. In-kind repair of less than 50% of a deck or stairs is an over-the-counter permit without plans; larger repairs and new decks under 20 feet above grade that meet Planning setbacks need plans. Platforms no more than 30 inches above grade that aren't part of an exit are exempt.

• Exempt: platforms up to 30 in above grade, not over a story below and not part of an exit.
• Repairing under 50% of a deck or stairs: OTC permit without plans.
• Repairing over 50%, or a new deck under 20 ft above grade: OTC permit with plans.
• San Francisco issued 518 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 5 days from application to issue.

Source: SF.gov: Where to apply for your permit · Full details: San Francisco Deck Permits

New Orleans: Usually Yes

Only small freestanding decks are exempt in New Orleans: uncovered residential decks no larger than 200 sq ft, no higher than 30 inches above grade, not attached to the house and not serving an exit door. Replacing deteriorated unenclosed, uncovered porches and steps 5 feet or less above grade is also exempt.

• Exempt: uncovered, detached decks up to 200 sq ft and 30 in high that don't serve an exit.
• Exempt: replacing deteriorated uncovered porches and steps up to 5 ft high.
• Roofs over porches and their framing are not exempt.
• New Orleans issued 92 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 39 days from application to issue.

Source: New Orleans: Work Exempt from Permit (Section 105.2) · Full details: New Orleans Deck Permits

Pittsburgh: Usually Yes

Uncovered decks with a floor 30 inches or less above grade need zoning approval only. All other decks need a building permit and occupancy permit; a prescriptive deck guide can replace stamped drawings for single-story wood decks 8 feet or less high.

• Uncovered decks up to 30 in above grade: zoning approval only.
• Other decks: building permit and occupancy permit.
• Decks other than single-story wood decks up to 8 ft high need construction drawings.
• Pittsburgh issued 125 matching permits in the last 12 months.

Source: Pittsburgh PLI: Deck Information · Full details: Pittsburgh Deck Permits

Kansas City: Sometimes

Platforms and decks no higher than 30 inches above grade at any point, and not over a basement or story below, don't need a building permit in Kansas City. Higher decks do, and all work must still meet the zoning and building codes.

• Exempt: decks up to 30 in above grade, not over a basement or story below.
• Higher decks need a building permit.
• Exempt work must still meet the Zoning and Development Code.
• Kansas City issued 314 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 10 days from application to issue.

Source: KCMO: Building Permit Exempt Work · Full details: Kansas City Deck Permits

Step-by-Step: What to Do

1. Measure the deck's area and its highest point above grade.
2. Decide whether it will be attached to the house or serve an exit door.
3. Compare those numbers with your city in the table.
4. If a permit is needed, prepare a site plan and framing details, or use your city's prescriptive deck guide.
5. Book the footing inspection before pouring and the final inspection when done.

Attached Decks and Ledger Boards

An attached deck is fastened to the house, usually through a ledger board, and the model code exemption only covers decks that are not attached. Even a small, low deck needs a permit in the cities that use that exemption once it is attached. Pittsburgh offers a prescriptive deck guide that can replace stamped drawings for single-story wood decks 8 feet or less high.

Repairs and Board Replacement

Replacing deck boards only is exempt in Austin (no guardrails or handrails) and in Raleigh when the project costs $40,000 or less. Nashville requires a permit once more than 100 sq ft of boards, or any footing or framing, is replaced. San Francisco treats in-kind repair of less than half a deck as an over-the-counter permit without plans.

Permit Pages and Related Guides

See Seattle Deck Permits and Philadelphia Deck Permits, compare all cities on Deck Permits by City, and read Seattle STFI Permits for Decks for a same-day option.

Frequently Asked Questions