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HomeBuildDo You Need A Permit To Build A Covered Patio

Do You Need A Permit To Build A Covered Patio

How Much Does A Building Permit Cost In California

How to build a patio cover

The typical cost of a building permit in California is $1,200, which was determined by national standards.

The typical cost of a building permit for an average-size home is $1,200, though it can go up or down depending on the location and type of construction.

At this point, you should check with your local building authority to determine what kind of work falls under the umbrella of construction.

For instance, if you plan to build an addition onto your existing residence for extra storage space, then that would be considered alteration.


On the other hand, if you want to convert your basement into an apartment where someone could live full-time or part-timeyoud need a building permit for that.

When you are approved for your building permit, your local government will order an inspection of the work being done on your house or property. This will happen during various stages of the project.

A small fee is charged for this check-up process, but its well worth it because it ensures that all codes are being followed and the quality of the work is up to par.

For example, if you had hired a carpenter to build an addition onto your home but he cut cornersthe inspector would notice things like electrical work that didnt meet code requirements or drywall screws not being countersunk so they wouldnt stick out on the surface of the wallboard surfaces!

If you have permits pulled before they are due to expire, you will be charged a re-inspection fee.


Reputation Is On The Line

If you have a structure on your property and attempt to sell your home, a building inspector will most likely find the structure if it is deemed unsafe. This discovery could damage any offers you have received your home or even hold up the sale altogether.

Any of the above situations could damage your reputation as a homeowner. The last thing you want is to have someone hurt on your property by a structure you build without obtaining a permit. This may result in your friends or family being afraid to come over and enjoy your patio cover or deck in the future.

The International Residential Code The Irc

Most cities and towns recognize or have adopted the IRC as the governing building code. The IRC is rather silent about patios and decks at or near grade level with the home. Specifically, the IRC mentions patios in only two or three places. The one that concerns most homeowners is the regulations on slope and drainage. The IRC states:

All hardscapes within 10 feet of a building must slope away from the building with a minimum slope of 2 percent. That means that the patio must slope away from your house at least 1/4 inch per foot, for at least the first 10 feet from the house exterior.

The IRC also specifies that any opening leading outside to a patio or deck cannot exceed 7 ¾ inches. On most homes built on a slab foundation, this is no problem. However, this code may affect patios on a slope or houses with a pier and beam foundation. Patios under these circumstances may require a permit for the steps to get up or down to the patio.


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State Vs County Vs City Requirements

One of the most common areas of confusion when it comes to patio cover permits relates to managing multiple jurisdictions. There are state codes, county codes and city codeswhich one do you follow? The short answer: the most local requirement. State building codes are usually the most general. They set the standard for minimum safety requirements. Cities and counties often establish their own permitting rules, but those requirements can only be more stringent than state code local municipalities are never allowed to loosen the rules. If youre within a city that has its own permit standard, you must follow your city-specific rules. If your city has no specific code, then you must adhere to county permitting requirements.

A good rule of thumb is to look for city requirements. If you find none, then review your countys rules. If again you come up with nothing, default to the state requirements.

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Do I Need A Permit To Build A Patio Cover / Sunroom ...

a. No detached accessory building shall be located with walls closer than 3 feet or eaves closer than 2 feet from interior side or rear property lines. No detached accessory building authorized by Section 6156. g exceeding 1,000 square feet in area shall be located within a required setback pursuant to Section 4810.

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What Design Elements Do You Want To Incorporate

If you envision an outdoor entertainment area on your patio, an outdoor kitchen may be part of the plan. Cooking spaces outdoors requires an extra degree of planning since you will need to run utility services to the outdoor kitchen area.

Adding extra electrical service, gas service, water service, and drain service to an outdoor kitchen area all involve added planning and preparation. In most areas, any utility additions or expansions to your home require you to have a permit. Your sub-contractors can give you better advice about your local building codes. Consult with your sub-contractors before any work commences.

Why You Need Permits

  • Its the law. State Building Code requires that permits be obtained for certain types of work. Permits provide a legal record of work performed.
  • Permits protect you, your family, your business and your investment.
  • Inspections ensure that work is done safely and that it meets the minimum code requirements.
  • Minor problems that could lead to costly repairs, liability and life/safety issues can be detected during permit inspections and brought to your attention before the situation worsens.
  • When selling a property, the buyer, realtor and/or lender may require that unpermitted work be corrected, properly permitted and inspected before closing.
  • Lack of permits and inspection approvals may void insurance.

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What Will Happen If I Dont Get A Permit For My Deck

Unpermitted decks can incur a fine that often costs more than the permit itself. It can also result in you partially or fully undoing work or changing the project scope. However, about 70% of projects that call for a permit do not have one.

If you dont get a permit, there are four common ways you may run into trouble:


  • A third -party complaint
  • Insurance claims
  • Future renovations or repairs
  • Many people feel that, as long as your work is compliant to zoning and bylaws, the risk is negligible. After all, its not an inspectors job to drive around looking for unpermitted work. A neighbour must file a complaint or there must be signs of deficiencies upon inspection to raise red flags about a lack of permit.

    If you do not get a permit for your deck project when a permit is required, there are some inherent risks that you face. People often choose not to get a permit because they feel the cost and the time required to get a permit is worth the risk of not having one.

    In most municipalities, risks of not getting a permit for your deck project include:

    • A fine of often double the original permit fee.
    • A delay in any work while your permit application is processed.
    • A potential to remove work that was already commenced prior to obtaining a permit
    • Unexpected increases in scope and budget to meet requirements.
    • Potential future legal and/or financial issues when selling your property or filing an insurance claim

    Youll Still Need To Get A Permit

    How to Build a Grey Freestanding Elitewood Patio Cover

    In additional to the fines, youll have to pay for the cost of the permit. In most cases, your contractor wont have a set of proper plans as required by your county, so youll have to pay for those and wait until they are put together. If its a rush job, it will cost more, and in most cases, it will set you back around two weeks.

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    Do You Need A Permit For Your Project

    The City of Portland welcomes the opportunity to work with you on your building project. Learn more about what’s required for your project and find out if you need permits. You can also schedule an appointment to discuss your project.

    Get information about the types of work that require a permit in Portland. The City of Portland also issues building permits for the City of Maywood Park.

    Front Decks Within The Developed Area

    Due to the more immediate aesthetic impacts on the neighborhood, decks built in the front yard in developed areas are subject to different rules than those built in side and rear yards. At the minimum, decks must be 3.0 m from the front property line. This minimum setback may increase depending on the contextual front setback. See the example below on calculating your contextual front setback.

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    What Is Required To Get A Deck Permit

    In most cities, to get a permit you need to supply one or two copies of a to-scale drawings of the deck plan. Usually the overhead view is required, but sometimes theyll need a drawing of the elevation from the side or front of the structure.


    When you hire a deck builder, theyll have computer software that can create these drawings for you. Not only is this handy for obtaining a permit, it will also give you a great idea of how your new deck will look in your yard in relation to your house and other structures.

    The plan you submit will have to include locations, sizes of your frost footings, spacing, beams, joists and so on. The inspectors, or the people going over your plans to provide the permit, will have to make sure the deck plan will meet local structural building code requirements. Sometimes theyll need information regarding the railings, stairs, ledger board and other structural components of the deck so they can ensure its safe. The materials used, including decking, rails and hardware will also be submitted in your plan.

    Do Aluminum Alumawood Products Require Building Permits

    Do I Need a Permit to Build a Patio Cover?

    Aluminum is significantly different than wood. Alumawood patio covers are engineered for multiple different configurations and applications. As a result, the company has already produced standards for their products installation for just about any situation or condition. Not to mention, that the Alumawood standards meet or exceed local Santa Clarita building standards. So obtaining patio cover permits for aluminum pergolas is extremely easy because most of the paper work is already done for you.

    Patiocovered.com works closely with the city of Santa Clarita and obtains wood patio cover, wood decks and aluminum pergola permits weekly.

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    Do I Need A Building Permit To Build A Patio

    Whether you are looking for a place to read a book and enjoy warm spring days or an entertainers delight to host a barbeque, a patio can be built to suit your lifestyle. With a large range of options when it comes to colour, size, and design, a patio makes the ideal addition to any dwelling.

    A common question asked by home owners when building a patio is will they require a building permit. Here is some important information to consider:

    What Can Be Built

    The Size of the Patio

    Timeframes

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    Do You Need A Building Permit For Outdoor Concrete Work

    Planning to have some concrete work done around your property? Great. Will you need to pull a permit? Its complicated. Building permit requirements vary according to where you live, so its essential to check out the laws that apply to your geographical location. To make things more complicated, your HOA is likely to have rules of its own. Yikes!

    The good news is that many concrete installations at or just above grade will not need a permit. Dont give in to the temptation to just skip the permitting process entirely, though — you could end up with a citation retroactive permit costs fines and perhaps difficulty in financing, insuring, or selling your home.

    DISCLAIMER: This article is for general informational purposes only. Check with your local building authority for the rules that apply to your specific project.

    Patio

    Is your planned concrete patio less than 30 inches above grade? If so, youre in luck you most likely will not need a building permit, although your concrete contractor might have to pull an excavation permit. The situation may change if you’re going to add walls or a roof to your patio.

    Driveway or walkway

    Parking pad

    Retaining wall or fence

    Tool sheds and other outbuildings

    For professional planning and installation of outdoor concrete structures, find a reliable concrete contractor.

    Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.

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    Residential Stock Plans Design Submittals#

    What is a stock plan submittal?

    A stock plan is a building design or master plan that can be submitted for review. The approved design is then “stocked” for future or concurrent permit submittals.

    How is a stock plan used? A common example is a building design that will be replicated across a development. A stock plan should not be used to create custom houses.

    Are variations or options allowed? Yes, limited variations/options are allowed that do not change the foundation footprint of the building .

    What do I need to submit now for my stock plan design submittal?

    • Do not submit a site plan,

    Is a stock plan a building permit?

    No, a stock plan is only a review of a building design. When you are ready to build that design, submit for a building permit and reference the approved stock plan #. You can submit for building permit concurrently or at a later time.

    How much is the plan check fees for stock plan designs?

  • Take the valuation most expensive house you could build with this stock plan design using all options that could be built at one time.
  • Enter that value into the permit fee calculator
  • Note: staff will check that valuations provided meet or exceed minimum valuations per the International Code Council Building Valuation Data.

    If I submit the stock plan design now, how do a get a permit to build that design for a specific address ?

    Submit a building permit application including:

  • Site Plan
  • Do I Need A Permit To Build A Roof Over My Deck

    How to build a patio cover. pt 2 (Must see edition)

    Do I needbuilding permit to put a roof over my deckrequire a permitroofbuilding

    . Also to know is, can I put a roof over my deck?

    Installing a porch roof over an existing is usually not recommended unless the was originally designed to support a future porch. Typical are designed to support 55 PSF . Porch require 25 additional PSF for roof loads for a total of 80 PSF.

    how much does it cost to put a roof over a patio? The average cost for a patio roof addition using low-maintenance wood-patterned aluminum runs for about $6,000 to $10,000 for an area of 20 by 20 feet, as of 2011. A screen can be added for an additional cost of $3,000 to $4,000.

    Then, do I need a permit to build a patio cover?

    Answer: A one-story detached accessory building not exceeding 120 square feet in roof area is exempt from the need to obtain a building permit. However, a building permit is required to install an attached patio cover.

    Why do I need a permit to build a deck?

    State, City, LocalAs complex as the process can be, permits are in place for a reason, to ensure your hardwood leads a long and most importantly, safe, life. Permits are issued by governments to ensure that any outdoor building project adheres to building codes, which are in place to ensure structures are safe.

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    Using The Wrong Tools

    Strong, heavy-duty tools are absolutely a must when working with concrete. Using the wrong tools results in a shoddy-looking concrete slab.

    Before mixing the concrete, have these tools ready: a pressure washer, safety goggles, a large wheelbarrow, an electric concrete mixer, a bull float to flatten the surface, a magnesium float for bumps, tools to create the concrete form, a broom, a brush, an edger, a finishing trowel, gloves and buckets.

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    You Have The Plan Now How Do You Apply For The Deck Permit

    Again, if you hire professional deck builders, they can take care of all this for you. If youre doing it yourself, or your deck builder doesnt offer this service, applying for the deck permit is not difficult. First you must find out who issues permits. Usually its the city or county office. Most places will have their own building code or inspection department. If youre not sure, start researching permits in your city and something will come up online.

    Once youve reached the right department or website, you should be able to find a list of what is required and general instructions on how to apply for the permit. Some might have a downloadable form on their website for the application itself that is to be submitted with the required drawings.

    These instructions will include specific zoning requirements. For example, your deck must not be within a certain distance from property lines or utility lines. You should get your local utility providers to come and mark their lines in your yard. This way you can be sure on where your deck will have to go, and you wont have to worry about hitting any power, water, cable or gas lines. This will all be included in your deck building plan.

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