I recently bought a house that has a second story deck that's in need of some serious improvements. I'm planning to remove the existing deck so we can pour a new patio underneath it, along with installing new footers. Once that's done, I plan to rebuild the deck in the same spot and to the same size with mostly new materials. I'm curious if I need a permit for this work, or since I'm just moving an existing structure around, can I skip that step?
3 Answers
If it’s attached to your home, you probably need a permit. Also, if your neighbors can see it, they might report it if you don’t get the necessary approvals. Not worth the risk! I'd definitely check with your local city or county for the specifics.
In most cases, you'll likely need a permit for this kind of project. Since you’re replacing an existing deck, most towns that require permits for new decks will expect one for a replacement too. Better safe than sorry!
Whether you need a permit really depends on where you live. Regulations can vary quite a bit from one place to another, so it's important to check your local laws.