You may own your Renton residence, but you certainly can’t make significant changes to it on your own accord. The government must approve any major functional modification, such as installing a new bathroom or upgrading the kitchen. That said, do you need a permit to build a deck? The short answer is that this depends on the design of your deck.
When Do You Need a Permit to Build a Deck in Renton?
You need a permit to build a deck in Renton if it stands higher than 30 inches above grade. Decks under that height are exempt from permitting. The same applies if your deck attaches to your house or includes electrical or plumbing work.
Can you build a deck without a permit in Washington State?
Homeowners in Washington may build a deck without a permit. The city of Renton, in particular, states explicitly that this is not necessary as long as the deck stands lower than 30 inches above grade—that is, the ground level within a 5-foot perimeter around the structure. If your deck hovers above this 30-inch cap, you may need to get the city’s approval before you proceed with the construction.
This is consistent with Renton’s general rules on building permits. These guidelines state that a homeowner will need to get a permit to do any alterations, constructions, or demolitions that may involve work on utilities, including electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems, among others.
What is the largest deck without a permit?
The International Residential Code (IRC) specifically states that the largest deck that you can build without a permit should have no more than 200 square feet in walkable surface area. This only applies to decks that are not attached to a house, do not serve as the exit door, and—again—do not stand over 30 inches above the ground.
Renton’s building codes do not specifically mention any maximum allowable area for a deck that can be built without a permit. However, the previously mentioned rule still applies, as the city has adopted the IRC along with the national and Washington building codes. In any case, as long as your deck does not stand higher than 30 inches above the ground, you can legally build your deck without a permit.
How much is a building permit for a deck?
The national average range for the expenses incurred by obtaining a deck construction permit is between $50 and $600. The exact cost depends on the project’s estimated valuation, as assessed by Renton’s Permit Services Center.
The permit fee is a percentage of this estimate and covers all project costs. Note that this is not a fixed portion of your deck’s estimated value. Instead, it is a tiered structure where the fee increases with the deck’s value. The factors that determine this value include the materials used, the size of the deck, the labor costs, and the structures you intend to add to your deck.
To explain further, the fee needed to get a permit for the construction of your deck is calculated by Permit Services based on a certain rate per $1,000 of value. The result is added to a base amount, which, like the aforementioned rate, changes depending on the total value of your deck.
While it is possible to do the estimates on your own, your best option to get a more accurate assessment is to contact Permit Services. The city will conduct thorough inspections anyway, ensuring that nothing is amiss and the estimate is accurate to the letter. Doing the assessment yourself could result in discrepancies that may cost you time in revisions and, possibly, money in fee adjustments that you were not expecting.
What happens if you build a deck without a permit?
Now, what if you’re building or have built a deck without securing a permit? There are three scenarios to consider in this case:
- Your deck design falls under building code exemptions. If you’re building a deck that’s no higher than 30 inches above the ground, you can carry on and face no legal consequences. The same is true if your deck is within the permit-free height limit and is a standalone structure with less than 200 square feet of walkable surface area.
- You are building a deck with an elevation above the permit-exempt height. The city will issue a Stop Work Order and require you to apply for a permit. Additionally, you will probably need to pay the fines and penalties for building without proper authorization.
- You’ve already built a non-exempt deck without a permit. You will have to pay substantial fines for violating the local building regulations. If your work is not built up to code, you will be ordered to tear it down and start from scratch. Expect higher permit fees—usually about twice or thrice that of regular permit fees—and intrusive home inspections until your case has been resolved.
Building a deck without a permit also comes with a few hidden costs. This includes the following:
- Safety risks. Building a deck without a permit means sidestepping the necessary inspections and other mechanisms meant to ensure building code compliance. This may result in faulty construction that could cause injuries or loss of life to the builder or user.
- Insurance issues. Your insurance company will not pay for any damage to your deck or any injury incurred on the structure. After all, this is an unpermitted addition to your home that should not exist in the first place.
- Difficulties selling your home. An unpermitted deck could result in a lower property value, as real estate agents will not account for the structure in their assessments. Additionally, buyers will be hesitant to purchase a house with a deck that may not comply with local building codes. Even if there is a willing buyer, they may likely ask for a hefty discount in anticipation of the risks and future costs of resolving the issue with your deck’s permit.
Fortunately, the city of Renton allows you to get a permit after the fact. Stop Work Orders issued by the city come with the contact information of the Code Compliance Inspector. It also includes instructions on how you can contact a permit specialist who can help you obtain the permits needed to resume the work on your deck. As soon as the building inspector finalizes your permit, your Code Case is closed, and you may resume your deck construction or start over.
Planning a deck installation in Renton comes with more than just permit rules. You also need to follow setback requirements, structural codes, and inspection steps to avoid costly mistakes. Working with an experienced local contractor helps you handle the paperwork and build a deck that meets code from the start.
To Conclude
You don’t need to get a permit to build a deck in Renton, WA, if it stands lower than 30 inches above the ground. Otherwise, you will need a permit, and it’s important to obtain it before construction begins. An unauthorized deck could incur costs beyond fines and fees that will affect you for years to come.
