Categories Decks

Building Code For Decks

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Building Code For Decks

Upon issuance of your deck permit you will be provided a Building Permit Placard for you. Construction must conform to the County building code, currently the .
The IRC requires guardrails to be at least 36" in height, measured from the deck surface to the top of the rail. Commercial decks attached to multi-family buildings, such as apartment buildings or businesses, are regulated under the International Building Code (IBC). The IBC requires 42" high guardrails.
Based on the 2012 Virginia Residential Code. information if you are not building this deck yourself.. Bearing conditions must be verified by the building.
The deck we build in this article is approximately 20 inches off the ground and as a result is not required by code to have a railing system on the steps or deck. The owner preferred an open, no-railing look. If your deck is more than 30 inches off the ground it requires guardrails or handrails.
Although there isn't one specific deck building code, here is a helpful summary of what you need to know for deck railings, stairs, stringers, treads, footings, .
Required guardrails cannot be less than 36 inches in height. The guards are to be constructed with infill rails or balusters no more than 4 inches apart. A bench can be installed against a guard, but if the deck is more than 30 inches above grade, a flat bench cannot be the guard (Figure 7).
In order to prevent potentially hazardous building practices, local building codes usually lay out a set of standards for deck construction. Although codes vary .
All information in this handout pertains to 1 and 2 family residential decks.. Plot plan (building department can supply) with proposed deck drawn to scale.



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