Deck Permit in Broward County, Florida
By Mario Bailey Last checked 2026-06-18 · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources Confirmed on official pagePermit required
Quick answer
A building permit is required for decks in unincorporated Broward County. Decks are explicitly listed among permit types requiring a building permit for residential properties in the BMSD. Applications are submitted electronically through the ePermits OneStop system. Incorporated cities in Broward have their own building departments.
Who is pulling this permit?
Apply yourself
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Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
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When a permit is usually needed
Before constructing any residential deck
What your deck permit must meet in Florida
In Florida a residential deck is built to the Florida Building Code, Residential (8th Edition, 2023), which is based on the 2021 IRC with statewide wind amendments. The governing concern is wind rather than frost: the deck and its attachment to the house must be designed for the local ultimate design wind speed, and it must meet the guard, stair, and connection requirements.
- Guards are required on any deck walking surface more than 30 inches above the grade or floor below, with a minimum guard height of 36 inches (FBC-R R312).
- Guard infill and balusters must be spaced so a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through; on the open side of stairs a 4 3/8 inch sphere limit applies (FBC-R R312).
- The deck must be constructed for the local ultimate design wind speed (Vult) taken from Figure R301.2(4), not a fixed minimum (FBC-R R301.2.1).
- Decks must be positively anchored to the primary structure for both vertical and lateral loads; the prescriptive lateral connection uses hold-down tension devices at not less than 2 locations within 24 inches of each end, each rated at least 1,500 lb, and joists framed to a ledger require approved joist hangers (FBC-R R507.8).
- Stairs when present allow a maximum riser height of 7 3/4 inches, a minimum tread depth of 10 inches, and a minimum stair width of 36 inches (FBC-R R311.7).
- Stair handrails are required on any flight with 4 or more risers, mounted 34 to 38 inches above the tread nosing (FBC-R R311.7).
- There is no frost-depth footing requirement in Florida; deck footings and piers are governed by wind uplift and lateral connection detailing. In the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (Miami-Dade and Broward counties), additional wind-design and product-approval requirements apply.
Based on Florida Building Code, Residential (8th Edition, 2023): R312 guards, R311.7 stairs, R301.2.1 wind speed, R507.8 deck attachment. Read the code. Local amendments can be stricter; confirm the current requirement with your office before you build.
What deck permit costs in Broward County
No separate deck fee line; decks fall under the Structural permit schedule, the greater of a $125 minimum base fee or 3.0% of job value, per Section 40.29 of the Building Permits Fee Schedule (Ord. 2025-038, eff. 5-1-25).
How Broward County compares in Florida
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Broward Countythis page | Permit required | Not specified |
| Hillsborough County | Permit required | Not specified |
| Lee County | Permit required | Not specified |
| Miami-Dade County | It depends | wood deck 18 inches or less above ground is exempt; decks higher than 18 inches require a building permit |
| Orange County | Permit required | Not specified |
| Palm Beach County | Permit required | Not specified |
| Pasco County | Permit required | No exemption threshold applies because decks are absent from the county exemptions list and structural work is excluded from the state exemption for work valued at less than $7,500. |
How to apply in Broward County
A residential deck permit application is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the IRC deck provisions. In practice that means a scaled site plan locating the deck and its setbacks, plus deck plans and structural details covering the footings, posts, beams, joists, ledger, guards, and stairs.
What most deck permit applications include:
- A permit application identifying the work, the deck's size (square footage), and whether electrical work such as lights or receptacles is included, submitted for plan review before construction begins (IRC R106).
- A scaled site plan (for example 1/4 inch to 1 foot) showing the new deck's location relative to the house, its overall length and width, and dimensioned distances from the deck to all property lines and other structures so required setbacks can be verified (IRC R106.1.1).
- A deck plan drawn to scale showing overall dimensions and the framing layout: joist size, spacing, span, and species; beam size and span; post size and height; and footing or pier size and depth (IRC R507.4 posts, R507.5 beams, R507.6 joists, R507.3 footings).
- A section or side elevation with connection details showing the ledger attachment to the house band joist with flashing, the fastener or bolt schedule, joist hangers, post-to-beam and post-to-footing connections, and the required lateral load connection (IRC R507.9 ledger connection, R507.9.2 lateral connection, R507.2.4 flashing).
- Footing sizing derived from tributary area, the soil bearing value, and design loads per IRC Table R507.3.1, with footings shown bearing on undisturbed soil at the frost depth required by the jurisdiction (IRC R507.3).
- Details for the guards required where the walking surface is more than 30 inches above grade, and for the stairs and handrails, showing guard height and opening limits, stair riser and tread dimensions, and handrail location (IRC R312 guards, R311.7 stairs and handrails).
- For designs that fall outside the prescriptive R507 tables (for example multi-story or stacked decks, or a ledger attached to a cantilever), engineered and stamped structural plans are submitted in place of the prescriptive details (IRC R507.1 and R301).
General submittal guidance from IRC R106.1.1 (construction documents) and IRC R507 (exterior decks), 2021 IRC. Source. Broward County Building Code Division sets the exact checklist for Broward County.
Where to apply in Broward County:
Broward County Building Code Division
- 2307 W Broward Blvd Suite 300, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
- Phone: (954) 765-4400
- Email: building@broward.org
Inspections and closing out your permit
Deck work is inspected in sequence as it is built: the footings before concrete is placed, the framing before the decking boards go down, and a final inspection once the deck is complete. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if missed.
- Footing or pier inspection: after the holes are dug and any forms or reinforcing are set but before concrete is placed, the inspector checks footing depth and diameter, a flat undisturbed bearing surface, and that the holes are free of water (IRC R109.1.1 foundation inspection; R507.3 footings).
- Framing inspection: after the deck is framed but before the decking conceals it, the inspector verifies the ledger attachment and its flashing, the fastener and bolt schedule, joist hangers and metal connectors, post-to-beam and post-to-footing connections, and the lateral load connection; call it before decking is installed (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R507.9 ledger and flashing).
- Final inspection: after the deck is complete and before it is used, the inspector confirms guard height and opening limits (a 4 inch sphere must not pass, 4 3/8 inch at stairs), stair riser and tread dimensions, handrail height and graspability where there are 4 or more risers, stair landings, and required stair lighting (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R312 guards, R311.7 stairs and handrails).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Broward County permit portal or by phone at (954) 765-4400.
Inspection sequence from IRC R109 (inspections: R109.1.1 footing before concrete, R109.1.4 frame, R109.1.6 final), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Deck Permit checklist for Broward County
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before constructing any residential deck.
- Budget the fee. No separate deck fee line; decks fall under the Structural permit schedule, the greater of a $125 minimum base fee or 3.0% of job value, per Section 40.29 of the Building Permits Fee Schedule (Ord. 2025-038, eff. 5-1-25). Official fee schedule.
- Apply. A residential deck permit application is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the IRC deck provisions. In practice that means a scaled site plan locating the deck and its setbacks, plus deck plans and structural details covering the footings, posts, beams, joists, ledger, guards, and stairs. Start at the Broward County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Broward County Building Code Division. Phone: (954) 765-4400. Address: 2307 W Broward Blvd Suite 300, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312.
- Plan for inspections. Deck work is inspected in sequence as it is built: the footings before concrete is placed, the framing before the decking boards go down, and a final inspection once the deck is complete. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if missed.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked 2026-06-18.
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Permitting activity in Broward County
In 2024, Broward County authorized permits for 1,655 new residential housing units (697 single-family, 958 in multi-family buildings), valued at $409M, down from3,047 the year before. That works out to about 0.8 permits per 1,000 residents.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual data · population 2,037,472.
About Broward County
Broward County has about 863,128 housing units. The median home is valued at $380,400, against a median household income of $74,534. About 63% of homes are owner-occupied, and the typical home was built around 1980.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a deck permit in Broward County?
- A building permit is required for decks in unincorporated Broward County. Decks are explicitly listed among permit types requiring a building permit for residential properties in the BMSD. Applications are submitted electronically through the ePermits OneStop system. Incorporated cities in Broward have their own building departments. Always confirm with the Broward County Building Code Division before starting.
- How much does a deck permit cost in Broward County?
- No separate deck fee line; decks fall under the Structural permit schedule, the greater of a $125 minimum base fee or 3.0% of job value, per Section 40.29 of the Building Permits Fee Schedule (Ord. 2025-038, eff. 5-1-25). See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a deck permit in Broward County?
- You can apply through the Broward County permit portal or contact the Broward County Building Code Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Broward County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Electrical permit is the greater of a $125 minimum base fee or 3.0% of job value, per S... |
| Fence Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No separate fence fee line; |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Mechanical (air conditioning and ventilation) permit is the greater of a $125 minimum b... |
| Patio Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No separate patio fee line; |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Plumbing permit is the greater of a $125 minimum base fee or 3.0% of job value, per Sec... |
| Pool Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Pool work needs separate Structural, Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical permit applica... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | under F.S. 553.79(1)(g) (HB 803, ch. 2026-63, effective 2026-07-01), work valued at less than $7,500 on a single-family dwelling qualifies for exemption upon a written exemption request with documentation of the nature and value of the work; the exemption excludes electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, and gas work and any property in a flood hazard area; the statute does not name roofing, so a non-structural reroof under that value can qualify; confirm with Broward County Building Code Division. | Structural permit with a roofing-specific minimum: the greater of a $250 minimum base r... |
| Shed Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No separate shed fee line; |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Not published |
Deck Permit in other Florida localities
Official sources
- https://www.broward.org/Building/BuildingPermits/Pages/BuildingPermits.aspx
- https://www.broward.org/Building/Forms/Pages/Building-Code-and-Permits.aspx
- https://www.grafton-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17797/2021-IRC-Residential-Deck-Guide
- https://www.spearfish.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5233/Residential-Deck-handout-PDF
- https://up.codes/viewer/florida/fl-residential-code-2023/chapter/3/building-planning
Verified by a person against the sources above on 2026-06-18, not confirmed with Broward County Building Code Division. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: 2026-06-18Report an error on this page
Florida rule changes
- Broward County, FL updates building permit fee schedule (Ordinance 2025-038)
Ord. 2025-038 · 2026-07-25
- Florida waives permits for small single-family jobs under $7,500 (HB 803)
ch. 2026-63 (HB 803), F.S. 553.79 · 2026-07-25
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Deck Permit across Florida