CITY OF ROCKFORD

 

DECK

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR A BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION

 

1.         Complete Building Permit application form with signature

 

2.         Submit two (2) copies of a Certificate of Survey, drawn to scale indicating the lot dimensions, the location and ground coverage area of existing structure(s), and the location and area of the proposed structure.  Indicate the setbacks from the property lines.  A Certificate of Survey for the property may be on file at City Hall.

 

3.         Submit two (2) copies of plans showing proposed designs and materials.  Plans shall be drawn to scale and shall include the following information:

a.         A floor plan indicating the proposed deck size, type of lumber used, size of decking and headers, size and spacing of floor joists, size, location and spacing of posts.

b.         Elevation of either a rear or side view indicating the height of structure from established grade, diameter and depth of footings, guardrail height (if any), spacing of intermediate rails (if any).

 

GENERAL BUILDING REQUIREMENTS

 

1.         Frost footings are required for any deck attached to any structure that has frost footings.  The minimum depth to the base of the footings is 42 inches.

 

2.         Decks shall be capable of supporting a fifty (50) pound per square foot load.

 

3.         Floor joist spacing at twenty-four (24) inches on center requires two (2) inch minimum decking and floor joist spacing at sixteen (16) inches on center requires one (1) inch minimum decking.

 

4.         Guardrails are required on all decks more than 30 inches above grade or floor below.  Rail must be thirty-six (36) inches minimum in height.  Open guardrails and stair railings must have intermediate rails or an ornamental pattern that a four (4) inch sphere cannot pass through.  EXCEPTION: The triangular opening formed by the riser, tread and bottom element of a guardrail may be sized so that a six (6) inch sphere cannot pass through.

 

5.         Cantilevers (overhanging joists and beams) – joists should not overhang by more than two (2) feet, nor should beams overhang posts by more than one (1) foot unless a special design is approved.

 

6.         All connections between deck and dwelling shall be weatherproof.  Any cuts in exterior finish shall be flashed.

 

7.         Header beams and joists that frame into ledgers or beams shall be supported by approved framing anchors such as joist hangers and fastened with hanger nails, not screws.

 

8.         Nails and Screws – use only stainless, high strength aluminum or hot-dipped galvanized.

 

9.         All exposed wood used in the construction of decks is required to be of approved wood of natural resistance to decay (redwood, cedar, etc.) or approved treated wood.  This includes post, beams, joists, decking and railings.

 

10.       Stairs minimum width is thirty-six (36) inches.  Maximum rise is 8 inches; minimum rise is 4 inches.  Minimum run is 9 inches.  Largest tread width or riser height shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch. Stairways with four (4) risers or more requires a handrail.  Open risers are permitted, provided that the opening between treads does not permit the passage of a four (4) inch sphere.

 

11.       Decks shall not be hung from the cantilever of a house unless joists/trusses are engineered to carry additional deck load.

 

12.       Exterior stairways shall be provided with a means to illuminate the stairway and shall have a light source in the immediate vicinity of the top landing of the stairway.

 

13.       The top of the handrail shall be placed not less than thirty-four (34) or more than thirty-eight (38) inches above the nosing of the treads.  The handgrip shall have a smooth surface with no sharp corners.  Handrails shall be continuous the full length of stairs and returned at ends.  The handgrip portion of handrails shall not be less than 1-1/4 inches nor more than 2-5/8 inches and shall provide a grippable surface.

 

Note:  The aforementioned criterion represents general code requirements relative to decks.  For

 specific code requirements, please contact the Building Inspection Department at 763-479-1720

 

SETBACKS

 

Require a building permit if more than thirty (30) inches off the ground.  The deck cannot be placed closer than twenty-nine (29) feet from the front property line, or nine (9) feet from the side property line or nineteen (19) feet from the rear property line.

 

REQUIRED INSPECTIONS

 

1.         Footing

2.         Final

 

GENERAL NOTES

 

1.         Some deck designs may not be appropriate for future screen porch or 3-season porches. Setbacks for porches may not be the same as setbacks for decks.

 

2.         The approved Plan and Survey shall be kept on the job site until the final inspection has been made.

 

3.         The Inspection Record Card shall be posted until the final inspection has been made.

 

4.         Post Address on construction site visible from the street.

 

·         The State of Minnesota requires that all residential building contractors, remodelers, and roofers obtain a state license unless they qualify for a specific exemption from the licensing requirements.  Any person claiming an exemption must provide a copy of Certificate of Exemption from the Department of Commerce to the City before a permit can be issued.

 

·         To determine whether a particular contractor is required to be licensed or to check on the licensing status of individual contractors, please call the Minnesota Department of Commerce at 651-296-2594 or toll free 1-800-657-3602.

 

If you should have any questions, please call the Building Official.

 

For inspections, call the Building Official at (763) 479-1720 between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday

 

 

Revised 12-7-05