Wednesday, April 17, 2024
HomeBuildDo You Need A Permit To Build A Patio Cover

Do You Need A Permit To Build A Patio Cover

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.

Installation Of A Swimming Pool Or Hot Tub

Do i need a permit to build a patio cover in sacramento county. When do i apply for a building and safety permit? Patio covers shall be designed and constructed to sustain, within the stress limits of this code, all dead loads plus a minimum vertical live load of 10 pounds per square foot except that snow loads shall be used where such snow loads exceed this minimum. Permits and inspections are required for the following:

To make a payment in person: Sacramento county has a single permit system, so separate plumbing, etc., permits are not required. They must serve exclusively for recreational purposes, never used as carports, garages, storage rooms or habitable spaces.

The international building code requires that all patio covers be detachable from dwellings. Mechanical, electrical, or plumbing permits. Livability through design of the built environment.


Permits and inspections are required for the following: Fire department plan review fee. Sacramento county regional sanitation fee.

The answers are yes, you need a permit for a water heater or patio cover Permit services is the main resource for customers seeking a building permit. The city of sacramento’s citizen portal is a tool that allows the general public to view record details and record statuses for community development department planning applications , building permit applications, and permits.

Yes, a permit is required for patio covers.

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Do I Need A Permit To Build A Patio Cover

Patio covers or pergolas can be both an aesthetically pleasing and practical addition to your backyard, but you may have questions about building or installing one in your home. Are permits required for patio covers? Do I need to obtain a permit to build my patio cover?

A permit is required for building patio covers. Building a patio cover can be done without a permit, in theory. However, homeowners can incur fees if cited by the city during the build. Homeowners can often run into issues when reselling their home, or worse, if a structure fails.

Read on for a list of situations where permits are required, when more than one is necessary, why you should always build your structures to code, and what may happen if you dont.

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Do You Need A Permit For A Patio Cover

You may or may not need a building permit to erect a patio cover yourself or have one built for you. It all depends on where you live.


Building permit requirements vary not just by state, but often by county, and even more typically by each municipality within a county. If two properties are on opposite corners of an intersection, and municipal boundaries run right through that intersection, its entirely possible that a property owner on one corner will need a permit while a property owner on another corner will not.

Theres no hard and fast rule on permits, but generally speaking, the more urban a setting is, the more likely it is to require a permit. Cities almost always require a permit. Nearly as likely to require a permit are incorporated boroughs, towns, villages, and townships. Dont think, however, that rural areas dont require permits they often do in an effort to control growth and maintain their rural character.

And it goes deeper in that. Where a municipality has a building code and zoning regulations, certain types of patio covers might be permitted in one neighborhood and barred in another. It all depends on whether the neighborhoods are in different land use zones.

Occasionally, and especially in planned communities or communities with homeowners associations, a deed carries restrictions on what can be done to the exterior of a house. In those cases, you may have to apply to an association board in addition to obtaining a municipal permit.

Financial Security May Be In Jeopardy

Do I Need A Permit To Build A Patio Cover

If your structure is built without a permit, there may be no consequence in the short term, but there are several instances that can affect your financial security by not obtaining a permit.


  • If your structure is, in fact, unstable, and its failure hurts someone, you can be held personally responsible for damages and medical bills.
  • Suppose you file an insurance claim for damages due to a faulty structure, and it is discovered that there was no permit obtained when it was built. In that case, your insurance company can choose not to cover any damages, holding you financially responsible.
  • If your city finds your structure built without a permit, you can be ordered to tear it down or even pay back property taxes on the structure.

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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.

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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How Do You Protect Yourself

The state of Florida offers a free resource to verify a contractors license. Verifying a contractors license can be done by visiting the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations website at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/ . Consumers can also check previous complaints against contractors. This is an excellent resource that the state of Florida provides at no charge. We highly encourage everyone to take the time and research their sunroom contractor before making the important decision to hire.

Lifestyle Remodeling is fully licensed, bonded and insured by the state of Florida. Were members of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ Rating, National Kitchen & Bath Association , and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist . We take pride in our high level of customer satisfaction from the highest quality of materials that we use to the most experienced professional installers. For more information or to schedule a FREE Consultation please call us or contact us online today!

Do I Need A Permit To Build A Patio In My Backyard

How to build a patio cover

With the weather warming up and a return to pre-pandemic norms and schedules, the idea of getting out of the house and spending time with friends and family has many of us looking at our backyard spaces with an eye towards sprucing them up accordingly for the upcoming festivities.


While some might be satisfied with an extensive landscaping project, other homeowners might be looking for a more permanent addition in the form of a new backyard patio. When I say patio, Im referring to a concrete slab that is poured to be a patio floor, which is considered a permanent structure unlike patio pavers.

Any decision to build a patio is undoubtedly preceded by a detailed perusal of available options, styles, and building plans. The more ambitions might contemplate pairing their new patio with a gazebo option based on their research.

Typically speaking, looming large in these considerations is whether you will need a building permit to complete your backyard Shangri-La.

The simplistic answer is maybe, but lets look at some of the realities of the permitting process, and those factors of the home improvement task that might impact the need for a building permit.

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Permit Requirements And Building Codes

Building permits and codes required to create an outdoor patio will typically depend on where you live, the size and cost, and the materiality of your patio.

You will most likely require a permit if you are building a sizeable deck or if youre planning on enclosing the patio with a roofed pergola. If you live in a heritage area or if youre creating a freestanding patio, you may need a building permit.

Best to inquire with your local council as to what building permits and codes need to be met before you start any works.

Choosing A Licensed Contractor

Choosing a contractor is an important decision. Before hiring a licensed contractor for your Florida Sunroom ask them to see their DBPR license . Asking if the licensed contractor is a working officer of the company or just a license holding qualifier that is not involved in the day to day operations of the company is also an important question to ask. An experienced sunroom contractor should have several references and be happy to show them to you as well as provide you with samples of all materials used on the sunroom project. The contractor should also disclose the name of the manufacturer, discuss if the room is custom built or stick built, and go over warranty information.

A licensed sunroom contractor will complete the appropriate permit applications to the county or city you reside in. If a licensed contractor says that they cannot do this process then its best to move on and obtain another quote. Permits are extremely important and a quality licensed sunroom contractor should explain the process in detail and answer any questions that you may have.

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Do It Yourself Or Licensed Contractor: Permit Requirements

Most incorporated cities will require that you obtain a permit before building in an attached or detached structure. The permitting process aims to ensure that structures are constructed safely and are stable. Most homeowners take two different paths when building patio covers: Hiring a contractor or doing it yourself. Here is what the permit process looks like for both:

  • If you plan to hire a contractor, they should be licensed. Most cities or counties have a way to check to see if the contractor youve selected has applied for a license. Visit your city Development Services website for further information.
  • Licensed contractors will be familiar with your city and county permitting requirements. They will be able to obtain the permits for building your patio cover and include the cost in their bid.
  • If you plan to take on a project yourself, youll need to contact your city or county for permitting. Most cities offer a guide online or by phone that can lead you to the exact permit youll need based on the details of your project.
  • In Do It Yourself situations, some cities may require that you complete a Homeowners Exam to demonstrate your proficiency in specific trades before a permit is granted.
  • You should be contacting your most local governing body to ensure youre following the correct building codes and obtaining the proper permits. Building codes are more thorough, the more local the governing body is.

What Do All Pro Decks And Patios In San Antonio Offer

Do I Need a Permit to Build a Patio Cover?

All Pro Decks and Patios offer a wide range of services and types of installations. The company focuses on designing perfectly planned outdoor spaces and walks you through your new dream decks design and installation.

All Pro offers clients access to multiple types of deck installations. If you are looking for a wide range of composite materials, All Pro has you covered. Not only are they pro certified with manufacturers like Deckerators, but they also offer options that give a more traditional wood look with a robust and durable material that has an excellent strength to weight ratio.

They also offer the classic look of timber with their all-wood installations. If the allure of real wood is something you are looking for, All Pro Decks and Patios can provide a clean and professional installation that will last you and your home for years to come.

Outside of decks, they also offer clients outdoor kitchens and patio enclosures. Regardless of if you are looking for a deck, a patio, or even a place to grill and chill outdoors, All Pro has some great options to explore.

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Work That Requires A Residential Mechanical Permit

  • Install or change any part of a heating or cooling system which has duct work or must be vented into any kind of chimney or vent
  • Install a wood stove or fireplace insert
  • Install, alter or repair gas piping between the meter and an appliance
  • Install a fuel oil tank

Read more about residential mechanical permits.

How Do I Cover An Old Concrete Patio

An old concrete patio can be the most boring part of an exciting backyard. You dont have to live with that plain concrete patio, though. A little creativity and a liberal helping of elbow grease, and you can breathe new life into that old patio.

Cover an old concrete patio with a wood or composite deck to bring a warm, organic look to the backyard. Build the new deck with wood or composite decking and attach the deck directly to the concrete patio.

There are several considerations regarding the kind of deck you build over your concrete patio, as well as a few other options for patio covering. Keep reading to pick up some tips and ideas.

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Can A Patio Sealer Be Colored

Most clear water- and solvent-based sealers can be tinted, allowing you to add another layer of color to a decorative concrete finish. Some manufacturers offer pre-tinted sealers, while others provide tint concentrates that you can add to the sealer at the jobsite. A tinted sealer can also be used as a stand-alone, low-cost decorative finish if just a hint of color is desired. Get more advice on tinting sealers.

A pressure washer is a great way to clean your decorative concrete patio before sealing. Chutima Chaochaiya / Shutterstock.com.

To Permit Or Not To Permit: That Is The Question

How to Demo and Build a Insulated Elitewood Patio Cover in One Day

With winter behind us, many are thinking about 2019 home projects. We are looking forward to re-designing or making those long overdue maintenance tasks that have been on the list. Before you get started, you will want to answer the question: to permit, or not to permit? Building permits help protect you and your investment and ensure the thoroughness, quality and life/safety provisions are in place.

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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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