Deck Permit in Saint Paul, Minnesota
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
Before building any deck or platform that is attached to a structure with frost footings, acts as a landing outside an exterior door, or sits more than 30 inches above grade. Also before building any deck in a heritage preservation district.
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Decks require a building permit in Saint Paul unless all three parts of DSI's exception are satisfied: the deck or platform is not attached to a structure with frost footings, does not act as a landing outside an exterior door, and is not more than 30 inches above grade. DSI's deck handout states the same exception and adds that an exempt deck must also not be part of an accessible route. Two separate heights matter and it is easy to conflate them: 30 inches is the permit line, while 24 inches is the zoning line, because all decks or platforms greater than 24 inches above grade must meet zoning setbacks and lot coverage even when no permit is required, and a deck under 24 inches is treated as landscaping that may run up to but not over the property line. Frost footings on any deck attached to a frost-footed dwelling or garage must be at least 42 inches deep, guards are required at 30 inches or more above grade, and decks in historic districts need Heritage Preservation Commission approval.
Typical threshold: height of a deck or platform above grade, where it is also not attached to a structure with frost footings and does not act as a landing outside an exterior door.
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 any deck or platform that is attached to a structure with frost footings, acts as a landing outside an exterior door, or sits more than 30 inches above grade. Also before building any deck in a heritage preservation district.
What a deck permit costs in Saint Paul
How Saint Paul compares in Minnesota
Closest deck permit thresholds outside Minnesota
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Saint Paul's 30 inches above grade.
- Arlington, Texas, height of an uncovered deck above grade at any point
- Aurora, Colorado, deck height above grade at which a permit is required regardless of whether the deck is attached to the house
- Clark County, Washington, Exempt only if the deck does not exceed 200 square feet, is not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, is not attached to a dwelling, does not serve a required exit door, and is not used for a hot tub or pool; all other decks require a permit.
- Kansas City, Missouri, height of a platform or deck above grade at any point, where it is also not located over any basement or story below
How to apply in Saint Paul
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 Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) sets the exact checklist for Saint Paul.
Where to apply in Saint Paul:
City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI)
- Department of Safety and Inspections, 375 Jackson Street, Suite 220, Saint Paul, MN 55101-1806
- Phone: 651-266-8989
- Email: DSI-BuildingPlanReview@ci.stpaul.mn.us
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 Saint Paul permit portal or by phone at 651-266-8989.
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 Saint Paul
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: height of a deck or platform above grade, where it is also not attached to a structure with frost footings and does not act as a landing outside an exterior door. Usually needed: Before building any deck or platform that is attached to a structure with frost footings, acts as a landing outside an exterior door, or sits more than 30 inches above grade. Also before building any deck in a heritage preservation district.
- Budget the fee. A deck building permit is priced from the valuation table in Sec. 33.04(a), published by DSI as the Building Permit Fee Schedule (Section 33.04 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code, Effective: 2/25/2023): $36.00 for the first $500.00 plus $5.00 for each additional $100.00 up to $2,000.00, then $106.00 for the first $2,000.00 plus $21.00 for each additional $1,000.00 up to $25,000.00. Plan review is 65 percent of the permit fee for any valuation over $1,000, plus the Minnesota state surcharge. 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 Saint Paul permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). Phone: 651-266-8989. Address: Department of Safety and Inspections, 375 Jackson Street, Suite 220, Saint Paul, MN 55101-1806.
- 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 Saint Paul?
- Decks require a building permit in Saint Paul unless all three parts of DSI's exception are satisfied: the deck or platform is not attached to a structure with frost footings, does not act as a landing outside an exterior door, and is not more than 30 inches above grade. DSI's deck handout states the same exception and adds that an exempt deck must also not be part of an accessible route. Two separate heights matter and it is easy to conflate them: 30 inches is the permit line, while 24 inches is the zoning line, because all decks or platforms greater than 24 inches above grade must meet zoning setbacks and lot coverage even when no permit is required, and a deck under 24 inches is treated as landscaping that may run up to but not over the property line. Frost footings on any deck attached to a frost-footed dwelling or garage must be at least 42 inches deep, guards are required at 30 inches or more above grade, and decks in historic districts need Heritage Preservation Commission approval. Height of a deck or platform above grade, where it is also not attached to a structure with frost footings and does not act as a landing outside an exterior door. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a deck permit cost in Saint Paul?
- A deck building permit is priced from the valuation table in Sec. 33.04(a), published by DSI as the Building Permit Fee Schedule (Section 33.04 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code, Effective: 2/25/2023): $36.00 for the first $500.00 plus $5.00 for each additional $100.00 up to $2,000.00, then $106.00 for the first $2,000.00 plus $21.00 for each additional $1,000.00 up to $25,000.00. Plan review is 65 percent of the permit fee for any valuation over $1,000, plus the Minnesota state surcharge. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a deck permit in Saint Paul?
- You can apply through the Saint Paul permit portal or contact the City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a deck permit themselves in Saint Paul?
- Under Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. 326B.805, subd. 6, clause (3)): Minnesota requires a license to work as a residential building contractor, remodeler, or roofer, but it exempts an owner who builds or improves their own residential real estate if the owner occupies it, or will occupy it, for residential purposes, or keeps it as a rental once the work is done. That exemption lets a homeowner act as their own contractor and pull permits without holding a contractor's license. The exemption does not apply to an owner building or improving property for resale or speculation, and the law presumes speculation if the owner builds or improves more than one property within any 24-month period, unless each property is retained for rental. This is a licensing exemption only; it does not remove the separate requirement to obtain a building permit for the work itself. Confirm how Saint Paul applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Saint Paul
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 | Sec. |
| Fence Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Saint Paul Legislative Code Sec. |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Warm air, Sec. |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Not specified | There is no patio line item in the fee schedule. |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | DSI's Plumbing Application, Inspection and Fees page (last edited March 3, 2026) and Sec. |
| Pool Permit | It depends | water capacity of an in-ground or above ground swimming pool; the prefabricated pool exemption additionally requires the pool to be no more than 24 inches deep and installed entirely above ground | The pool building permit is priced from the valuation table in Sec. |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Not specified | A reroof is a general building permit priced on valuation under Sec. |
| Shed Permit | It depends | floor area of a one-story detached accessory structure used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar use | A shed over 200 square feet is a general building permit priced from the valuation table... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Two fees. |
Deck Permit in other Minnesota localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Saint Paul documents; the office above sets the local rules.
Verified by a person against the sources above on , not confirmed with City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Deck Permit requirements across Minnesota localities
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Deck Permit across Minnesota