Do I need a permit for a deck in Houston, TX?
Last verified: · Confidence: high · Status: Verified from official source
Not legal advice. Always confirm with your local building department. Rules change, and your parcel's zoning, HOA, historic district, floodplain or utility work can change the answer. We show the official source and the date we last checked it so you can verify for yourself.
Depends on your project Confidence: high
No permit for a small freestanding deck: 200 sq ft or less, 30 in or less above grade, not attached to the house, and not serving a required exit door. Other decks need a permit.
What changes the answer
- Over 200 sq ft: permit required
- More than 30 in above grade: permit required
- Attached to the house or serving the exit door: permit required
Cost
See the City of Houston fee schedule. Unverified, confirm locally
Where to apply
Official sources
“Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4.”
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Other projects in Houston
- Fence permit
- Interior / bathroom remodel permit
- Roof replacement permit
- Shed permit
- Water heater replacement permit
Deck permits in other cities
- Austin, TX
- Boston, MA
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- El Paso, TX
- Fort Worth, TX
- Indianapolis, IN
- Jacksonville, FL
- Las Vegas, NV
- Los Angeles, CA
- Nashville, TN
- New York City, NY
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Washington, DC