Deck Permit in Boston, Massachusetts
It depends
We could not confirm this
For all attached decks and detached decks over 200 sq ft or more than 30 inches above grade
Issued byInspectional Services Department
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
- Typical job value
- $8,700
- declared valuation
Quick answer
Under Massachusetts 780 CMR a freestanding deck not attached to the dwelling that is not more than 30 inches above grade and does not exceed 200 square feet may be exempt from the building permit requirement. Any deck attached to the house or above 30 inches above grade requires a building permit from Boston ISD.
Typical threshold: detached decks not more than 30 inches above grade and under 200 sq ft that do not serve an exit door may be exempt.
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When a permit is usually needed
For all attached decks and detached decks over 200 sq ft or more than 30 inches above grade
What a deck permit costs in Boston
How Boston compares in Massachusetts
Closest deck permit thresholds outside Massachusetts
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Boston's 200 sq ft.
- Austin, Texas, uncovered decks with area no greater than 200 sq ft and no more than 30 inches above grade and not attached to the dwelling and not providing required egress and not in floodplain are exempt
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana, deck floor area; the exemption also requires the deck to be less than 30 inches off the ground and located in a buildable area of the lot
- Contra Costa County, California, area of a deck that is also no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, is not attached to a dwelling, and does not serve a code-required exit door
- Corpus Christi, Texas, A deck needs a permit if it is larger than 200 square feet, or more than 30 inches above the ground, or attached to a dwelling, or serving the exit door; any one of the four triggers alone requires the permit.
How to apply in Boston
In Boston, 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:
- For Boston, 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).
- For Boston, 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).
- For Boston, 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).
- For Boston, 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. Inspectional Services Department sets the exact checklist for Boston.
Where to apply in Boston:
Inspectional Services Department
- 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02118
- Phone: (617) 635-5300
- Email: isd@boston.gov
Deck Permit in Boston compared with nearby Massachusetts localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Massachusetts schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | It depends | detached decks not more than 30 inches above grade and under 200 sq ft that do not serve an exit door may be exempt | Billed as building work: Short-Form at $20 primary plus $10 per $1,000 of estimated cost... | |
| Worcester | It depends | deck area, where the deck is also no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, is not attached to the dwelling, and does not serve a required exit door | No deck line item. |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Boston, 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 in Boston: 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 in Boston: 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 in Boston: 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 Boston permit portal or by phone at (617) 635-5300.
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 Boston
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: detached decks not more than 30 inches above grade and under 200 sq ft that do not serve an exit door may be exempt. Usually needed: For all attached decks and detached decks over 200 sq ft or more than 30 inches above grade.
- Budget the fee. Billed as building work: Short-Form at $20 primary plus $10 per $1,000 of estimated cost for simple 1-2 unit jobs, Long-Form at $50 primary plus $10 per $1,000 for larger or structural work, per the ISD fee schedule effective 5/15/2023. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Boston, 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 Boston permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Inspectional Services Department. Phone: (617) 635-5300. Address: 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02118.
- Plan for inspections. In Boston, 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 .
Permitting activity in Boston
In 2024, Boston authorized permits for 1,789 new residential housing units (72 single-family, 1,717 in multi-family buildings), valued at $812M, down from 2,051 the year before. That works out to about 2.6 permits per 1,000 residents.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual data · population 691,531.
About Boston
Boston has about 307,840 housing units. The median home is valued at $710,400, against a median household income of $94,755. About 35% of homes are owner-occupied, and the typical home was built around 1947.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a deck permit in Boston?
- Under Massachusetts 780 CMR a freestanding deck not attached to the dwelling that is not more than 30 inches above grade and does not exceed 200 square feet may be exempt from the building permit requirement. Any deck attached to the house or above 30 inches above grade requires a building permit from Boston ISD. Detached decks not more than 30 inches above grade and under 200 sq ft that do not serve an exit door may be exempt. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a deck permit cost in Boston?
- Billed as building work: Short-Form at $20 primary plus $10 per $1,000 of estimated cost for simple 1-2 unit jobs, Long-Form at $50 primary plus $10 per $1,000 for larger or structural work, per the ISD fee schedule effective 5/15/2023. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a deck permit in Boston?
- You can apply through the Boston permit portal or contact the Inspectional Services Department directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a deck permit themselves in Boston?
- Under Massachusetts law (780 CMR R105.3; 780 CMR 110.R5.1.3.1 (10th ed.); M.G.L. c. 142, s. 3; M.G.L. c. 141, s. 1A): Yes for the building permit itself: 780 CMR R105.3 says 'the owner or authorized agent shall file a permit application.' The construction supervisor license (CSL) rules contain an explicit homeowner exemption at 780 CMR 110.R5.1.3.1: 'Any homeowner performing work for which a building permit is required shall be exempt from the licensing provisions of 780 CMR 110.R5, provided that if a homeowner engages a person(s) for hire to do such work, then such homeowner shall act as supervisor.' 'Homeowner' is defined as a person who owns a parcel on which he or she resides or intends to reside with a one- or two-family dwelling; a person who constructs more than one home in a two-year period does not qualify. The exemption does not extend to the trades: plumbing and gas work requires licensure under M.G.L. c. 142, s. 3, which contains no homeowner exemption, and the electrician licensing exemptions in M.G.L. c. 141, s. 1A likewise do not include homeowners. Confirm how Boston applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Boston
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Remodel Permit | It depends | Not specified | Non-structural bathroom work uses the Short-Form building permit at $20 primary plus $10... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | $20 application fee plus $0.25 per amp for service upgrades or $1 per fixture for other... |
| EV Charger Permit | Permit required | Not specified | An Electrical Permit is required per Boston's EVSE installation guide, billed under the... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | permit required for fences over 6 feet in height per Massachusetts 780 CMR | Not published |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No single HVAC line |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | $20 application fee plus $5 per fixture such as toilets and sinks |
| Pool Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Pools need a Use of Premises Permit at a $50 primary fee per the ISD fee schedule... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Roof replacement with no structural change uses the Short-Form building permit at $20... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | one-story detached accessory sheds used for tools or storage are exempt if floor area does not exceed 120 sq ft | Sheds need a Use of Premises Permit at a $50 primary fee, named alongside pools on the... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Systems under 20 kWh on 1-2 family homes qualify for Short-Form at $20 primary plus $10... |
| Water Heater Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Water heater or boiler swaps with no other work use a Plumbing Permit at $20 primary... |
Deck Permit in other Massachusetts localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Boston documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this deck permit page for Boston was verified. 1 official source: boston.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Inspectional Services Department. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Deck Permit requirements across Massachusetts localities