Deck Permit in Arlington, Texas
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
Before building a deck that is more than 30 inches above grade at any point, and before building any covered or roofed deck structure, which the city treats as a permanent accessory structure.
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Arlington exempts an uncovered deck that is 30 inches or less above grade at any point on one- and two-family properties regulated by the International Residential Code. A deck above that height needs a permit, and so does any covered deck or patio cover, which the city classes as a permanent accessory structure requiring a permit regardless of area. Two placement rules apply even to exempt decks: uncovered decks over 12 inches above the average level of the adjoining ground cannot intrude into any building setback or zero lot line maintenance easement, and no deck may re-divert surface water onto adjoining property or impede use of an easement for maintenance.
Typical threshold: height of an uncovered deck above grade at any point.
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 that is more than 30 inches above grade at any point, and before building any covered or roofed deck structure, which the city treats as a permanent accessory structure.
What a deck permit costs in Arlington
How Arlington compares in Texas
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Arlingtonthis page | It depends | height of an uncovered deck above grade at any point |
| Austin | It depends | 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 |
| Corpus Christi | It depends | 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. |
| Dallas | It depends | decks platforms walks or driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over any basement or story on single-family or duplex premises are exempt |
| Fort Worth | It depends | height of the platform, walk or deck above grade, and whether it sits over a basement or story below |
| Houston | It depends | deck not exceeding 200 sq ft and not more than 30 in above grade and not attached to dwelling and not serving required exit door is exempt from permit |
| Lubbock | It depends | A structure attached to an existing residence is an addition and is permitted regardless of square footage. |
Closest deck permit thresholds outside Texas
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Arlington's 30 inches above grade.
- 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
- Los Angeles County, California, height of the deck surface above grade; the exemption also requires the deck not to be over any basement or story below and not to be part of an accessible route
How to apply in Arlington
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 Arlington Planning and Development Services Department, Building Inspections Division sets the exact checklist for Arlington.
Where to apply in Arlington:
City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Department, Building Inspections Division
- City Hall, 101 W. Abram St., 2nd Floor, Arlington, TX 76010
- Phone: 817-459-6502
- Email: planningdevelopment@arlingtontx.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 Arlington permit portal or by phone at 817-459-6502.
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 Arlington
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: height of an uncovered deck above grade at any point. Usually needed: Before building a deck that is more than 30 inches above grade at any point, and before building any covered or roofed deck structure, which the city treats as a permanent accessory structure.
- Budget the fee. Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule, Effective June 1, 2026, Resolution No. 26 - 151, Residential Construction: "Patio Cover, Screened Porch, Gazebo & Decks* $300.00". The asterisk marks permits that also carry the non-refundable plan review fee, which the schedule sets at 35% of the building permit fee and requires to be paid at submittal. 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 Arlington permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Department, Building Inspections Division. Phone: 817-459-6502. Address: City Hall, 101 W. Abram St., 2nd Floor, Arlington, TX 76010.
- 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 Arlington?
- Arlington exempts an uncovered deck that is 30 inches or less above grade at any point on one- and two-family properties regulated by the International Residential Code. A deck above that height needs a permit, and so does any covered deck or patio cover, which the city classes as a permanent accessory structure requiring a permit regardless of area. Two placement rules apply even to exempt decks: uncovered decks over 12 inches above the average level of the adjoining ground cannot intrude into any building setback or zero lot line maintenance easement, and no deck may re-divert surface water onto adjoining property or impede use of an easement for maintenance. Height of an uncovered deck above grade at any point. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a deck permit cost in Arlington?
- Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule, Effective June 1, 2026, Resolution No. 26 - 151, Residential Construction: "Patio Cover, Screened Porch, Gazebo & Decks* $300.00". The asterisk marks permits that also carry the non-refundable plan review fee, which the schedule sets at 35% of the building permit fee and requires to be paid at submittal. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- How long does a deck permit take in Arlington?
- Standard application reviews are conducted within 5 business days, provided the submission is complete. If additional reviews are required, they may take up to 2 additional business days. Times can vary by workload and project scope, so confirm with the office.
- Where do you apply for a deck permit in Arlington?
- You can apply through the Arlington permit portal or contact the City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Department, Building Inspections Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a deck permit themselves in Arlington?
- Under Texas law (Tex. Occupations Code 1305.003(a)(6), 1301.051; Tex. Local Government Code 233.157(c)): Texas licenses individual construction trades rather than general contractors, so no state statute requires a license to act as your own general contractor on your own house. For electrical work, the state licensing law does not apply to work performed in or on a dwelling by a person who owns and resides in it, but only where no municipal ordinance specifically regulates that work, so city electrical licensing and permit rules still control inside city limits (Occupations Code 1305.003(a)(6)). For plumbing, a property owner does not need a state license to perform plumbing in the owner's homestead (Occupations Code 1301.051). In opt-in counties' unincorporated areas, an individual who builds their own house or acts as their own contractor is exempt from the Class C misdemeanor penalty for inspection notice failures if they intend to use the home as their primary residence (Local Government Code 233.157(c)). None of these exemptions waive local permit or inspection requirements where they apply. Confirm how Arlington applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Arlington
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule, Effective June 1, 2026, Resolution No, for every permit type below. The fee column shows what differs by project.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | 26 - 151, Building Permit for Electrical: "Per Trade - Commercial and Residential New... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | share of one side of an existing fence being repaired or replaced | 26 - 151, Residential Construction: "Fence, Residential Lot $50.00 each" |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | 26 - 151, Mechanical: "Per Trade - Commercial and Residential New Construction Permits... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | height of an uncovered patio above grade at any point | 26 - 151, Residential Construction: "Patio Cover, Screened Porch, Gazebo & Decks*... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | 26 - 151, Plumbing Permits: "Per Trade - Commercial and Residential New Construction... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | depth of a prefabricated inflatable swimming pool | 26 - 151, Residential Construction: "Swimming Pool - In-ground (1 & 2 Family) (Spa... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | area of roof covering material being replaced | 26 - 151, Residential Construction: "Reroof* $325.00". |
| Shed Permit | It depends | floor area of a one-story detached tool or storage shed | 26 - 151, Residential Construction: "Portable Storage/Accessory Building 320 sq.ft. |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | 26 - 151, Residential Construction: "Solar Panel* $325.00" and "Home Backup Power... |
Deck Permit in other Texas localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Arlington documents; the office above sets the local rules.
Verified by a person against the sources above on , not confirmed with City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Department, Building Inspections Division. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Permit office
City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Department, Building Inspections Division
817-459-6502Permit portalCompare
Deck Permit across Texas