complianceApr 3, 20266 min read

7 Major Cities Where ALL Decks Need a Permit — No Exceptions (2026)

PermitDeck Team

Data-Driven Home Improvement Intelligence

Think your small ground-level deck is exempt? Not in these cities. We found 7 major US cities that require permits for every single deck.

Cities With No Deck Permit Exemption

Most US cities follow the International Residential Code, which exempts small, low, freestanding decks from permit requirements. But not every city plays by those rules.

After researching deck permit requirements for 100 US cities, we identified several major cities that require a building permit for every deck — regardless of size, height, or whether it's attached to the house.

If you live in one of these cities, don't waste time looking for an exemption. There isn't one.

1. Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach requires a permit for any deck, no matter the size or height, and for any structural alterations or repairs to existing decks.

Four required inspections: Setback/Footing, Slab/Foundation, Framing/Insulation, Final

Construction plans must be signed and sealed by a licensed architect or engineer

Permit fees range from $225-$500

2. Norfolk, VA

Norfolk takes it a step further — you need both zoning approval AND a building permit for every deck. Only minor repairs (deck board replacement, tread repair) are exempt.

Survey or aerial photo showing distances to all property lines required

Typical setbacks: 25 ft front, 5-10 ft side, 25 ft rear

Small decks (up to 100 sq ft): $50

3. Chesapeake, VA

Chesapeake has no size or height exemption. ALL decks require a permit. They even have a dedicated "Build a Deck" page on their website.

Detailed fee breakdown: $50 base + $10 per 100 sq ft + plan review ($50) + state levy + tech fee

A 200 sq ft deck costs about $127.40 in permits

Three inspections required: footing, framing, final

4. St. Louis, MO

St. Louis requires permits for all decks and porches — no height or size exemption. The fee structure is transparent:

$25 application fee + $10 per $1,000 of estimated cost (over $3,000)

All application fees are non-refundable

Historic properties need additional approval for exterior work

5. Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati requires permits for all decks with no published exemption. The city even has a dedicated deck permit application form.

Premium/walk-through review options available for faster processing

11% in various surcharges added to base permit fee

Must comply with Ohio Residential Code

6. Boston, MA

Boston requires a building permit for all new decks. You can use a short-form permit for minor non-structural deck repairs, but any new construction needs the full process.

$20 base fee + $10 per $1,000 of construction cost

Frost line: 48 inches (deepest of any major city along with Madison)

Historic districts require Landmarks Commission approval

7. Birmingham, AL

Birmingham takes the broadest approach: any work on a single-family residence except painting and roof shingle replacement requires a building permit. That includes all decks.

$9.50 per $1,000 of construction valuation

Alabama has no statewide building code — Birmingham adopts its own Technical Code

Requires 2 sets of drawings on 18x24 inch paper minimum

Why These Cities Require Universal Permits

The common thread: safety and liability. Cities that eliminate the small-deck exemption argue that:

1. Even small decks can collapse if improperly built

2. Exemptions create confusion about what qualifies

3. Universal requirements are easier to enforce

4. Deck collapses cause serious injuries — the city wants oversight on all structures

What This Means for You

If you live in one of these cities:

Budget for the permit from the start — it's a project cost, not optional

Don't assume a small deck is exempt just because your neighbor says so

Start the process early — permit review adds 1-3 weeks to your timeline

Use the city's resources — several of these cities provide deck construction guides and checklists

Check our complete deck permit guides for your specific city, with direct links to permit applications and fee schedules.

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*Requirements verified from official city sources in April 2026. Always confirm current rules with your local building department.*