Deck Permit in Detroit, Michigan
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
Before building a deck larger than 200 square feet on a single-family dwelling.
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
BSEED's permit guide lists decks not exceeding 200 square feet among the exemptions from the building permit requirement, so a larger deck needs a permit. The department publishes a Residential Deck Requirements handout that tells applicants to file the #2 Application for Building Permit for Additions, Alterations or Repairs and to show plot plan, foundation depth of at least 42 inches below grade, joist and beam sizes and spans, column sizes, deck height above grade, guardrail height and baluster spacing, and stair rise, run and handrail. Guardrails are required at the perimeter where the deck surface is more than 30 inches above grade.
Typical threshold: deck area.
Who is pulling this permit?
Apply yourself
Hire it out
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?
When a permit is usually needed
Before building a deck larger than 200 square feet on a single-family dwelling.
What a deck permit costs in Detroit
How Detroit compares in Michigan
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | Permit required | Not specified |
| Detroitthis page | It depends | deck area |
| Grand Rapids | It depends | floor area at which a freestanding deck with supporting beams, joists or posts requires a building permit; a deck attached to or adjacent to a house requires one at any size |
| Sterling Heights | Permit required | Not specified |
Closest deck permit thresholds outside Michigan
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Detroit'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
- Boston, Massachusetts, detached decks not more than 30 inches above grade and under 200 sq ft that do not serve an exit door may be exempt
- 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
How to apply in Detroit
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. City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED) sets the exact checklist for Detroit.
Where to apply in Detroit:
City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED)
- Development Resource Center, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Room 434, Detroit, MI 48226
- Phone: (313) 224-2372
- Email: DRC@detroitmi.gov
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 Detroit permit portal or by phone at (313) 224-2372.
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 Detroit
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: deck area. Usually needed: Before building a deck larger than 200 square feet on a single-family dwelling.
- Budget the fee. Building permit fees are based on project cost under the BSEED Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2024, modified 7/18/2025: $2,000 or less, Flat $271.43; Over $2,000 but not over $25,000, First $2,000 Base $271.43 plus $34.09 Per $1,000 or fraction thereof over $2,000. 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 Detroit permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED). Phone: (313) 224-2372. Address: Development Resource Center, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Room 434, Detroit, MI 48226.
- 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 .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a deck permit in Detroit?
- BSEED's permit guide lists decks not exceeding 200 square feet among the exemptions from the building permit requirement, so a larger deck needs a permit. The department publishes a Residential Deck Requirements handout that tells applicants to file the #2 Application for Building Permit for Additions, Alterations or Repairs and to show plot plan, foundation depth of at least 42 inches below grade, joist and beam sizes and spans, column sizes, deck height above grade, guardrail height and baluster spacing, and stair rise, run and handrail. Guardrails are required at the perimeter where the deck surface is more than 30 inches above grade. Deck area. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a deck permit cost in Detroit?
- Building permit fees are based on project cost under the BSEED Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2024, modified 7/18/2025: $2,000 or less, Flat $271.43; Over $2,000 but not over $25,000, First $2,000 Base $271.43 plus $34.09 Per $1,000 or fraction thereof over $2,000. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- How long does a deck permit take in Detroit?
- In Detroit, a deck permit typically takes about 5 days for a residential building permit after the application is submitted. Times can vary by workload and project scope, so confirm with the office.
- Where do you apply for a deck permit in Detroit?
- You can apply through the Detroit permit portal or contact the City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED) directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a deck permit themselves in Detroit?
- Under Michigan law (MCL 339.2403(b), (c); MCL 339.2401(a)(iii), (b)(ii)(A); MCL 339.5737(3)(g); MCL 339.6107(2)(d); MCL 339.5819): Yes. A Michigan homeowner may pull the building permit and do the work on their own home without a residential builder license, because the licensing article both defines the trade to exclude them and exempts them outright. MCL 339.2401(a)(iii) says a residential builder is a person that erects a residential structure except for the person's own use and occupancy on the person's property, and MCL 339.2403(b) exempts an owner of property with reference to a structure on the property for the owner's own use and occupancy. Own use and occupancy is the condition, so the exemption does not cover building to sell, and MCL 339.2403(c) limits owners of rental property to maintenance and alteration of that property. The statute sets no cap on how many times a homeowner may use the exemption; the only frequency rule in the article catches purchase, substantial rehabilitation, and resale of the same structure more than twice in 1 calendar year, and MCL 339.2401(b)(ii)(A) exempts work for the person's own use and occupancy from even that. Homeowners can also pull their own trade permits: electrical work in a single family home and accompanying outbuildings owned and occupied or to be occupied by the person doing the work (MCL 339.5737(3)(g)), their own plumbing, building sewer, or private sewer in their single-family dwelling if a permit is secured (MCL 339.6107(2)(d)), and a heating or refrigerating system if the owner affirms in the permit application that they are or will become the owner and occupant (MCL 339.5819). Confirm how Detroit applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Detroit
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit | It depends | electrical alterations beyond replacing switches or receptacles | BSEED Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2024, modified 7/18/2025, ELECTRICAL PART A:... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | fence height, for a fence outside a Special Review District | Fence work is priced as a building permit on project cost under the BSEED Fee Schedule... |
| HVAC Permit | It depends | Not specified | BSEED Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2024, modified 7/18/2025, GAS FIRED EQUIPMENT:... |
| Plumbing Permit | It depends | plumbing alterations beyond the working parts of a faucet or valve or clearance of stoppages | BSEED Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2024, modified 7/18/2025, PLUMBING INSTALLATION... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | prefabricated above-ground pool accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy holding not more than 5,000 gallons | Building permit fees are based on project cost under the BSEED Fee Schedule effective... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | roof-work beyond replacing a few shingles | Building permit fees are based on project cost under the BSEED Fee Schedule effective... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | floor area of a one-story detached accessory structure in residential construction | Building permit fees are based on project cost under the BSEED Fee Schedule effective... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | BSEED Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2024, modified 7/18/2025, PART E, RENEWABLE... |
Deck Permit in other Michigan localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Detroit documents; the office above sets the local rules.
Verified by a person against the sources above on , not confirmed with City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED). Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Permit office
City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED)
(313) 224-2372Permit portalCompare
Deck Permit across Michigan