- Home
- Departments
- Development Services
- Building Safety
- Building Permit Guides
- Residential Building Permit Guides
- Residential: Building or Replacing a Deck
Residential: Building or Replacing a Deck
Select a link below to learn more about building a new deck or porch or replacing an existing deck or porch.
- Do I Need A Permit?
- Who Should Apply?
- Documents
- Resources
- Process
- Payment and Fees
- Typical Inspections
Do I Need A Permit?
If you are doing any of the following you will need a Residential Building Permit …
(This is not an all-inclusive list. If you have a question as to whether you need a permit please call 540-772-2065)
- Replacing Deck Boards and Handrails
- Replacing the Existing Deck
- Adding a New Deck or Porch (anything 30” above ground level will count into setback, or distances to property lines)
- Adding a Roof to an Existing Deck
- Adding a Screen-Porch on the Existing Deck
- Adding a Sun-Porch on the Existing Deck
- Adding Stairs
Who Applies for the Permit?
- Applying for a permit as a homeowner is an important decision because the permit holder(s) bears the ultimate responsibility that the work will comply with the code.
- The homeowner is highly encouraged to have a licensed contractor apply for the permits, however, the homeowner may do so.
Documents
- Residential Application
- Owner Affidavit - Complete if you are an owner, doing work to your primary residence. This must be notarized or signed in front of a Permit Tech in the Building Department
- Sub-Contractor List - Complete if adding electrical work
- Plot Plan Template - Shows the proposed distances from the deck or porch to all property lines. It is required to show compliance with the Planning Department’s setback requirements. Setbacks may be verified on GIS MAPS or by calling 540-772-2065. A survey plat with the deck location or a hand sketch showing the deck location with respect to the property lines and the house is acceptable.
- Certification of Setback Compliance
Resources
- Acceptable Deck Design Guide - A guide to building a deck
- Roanoke County GIS - This will help in drawing your plot plan if you do not have a survey
Process
- Fill out the documents.
- Email documents to permit@roanokecountyva.gov or bring to the Roanoke County Administration Building, 2nd floor. (Approximate turnaround time is 8 working hours when emailed).
- A Permit Tech will verify all paperwork for completeness.
- Zoning will review and must approve the Plot Plan. Show all existing buildings on the plot plan then the location of the deck. Distances to property lines must be designated. Verify all items on the checklist are drawn on the plot plan.
- A Permit Tech will work up the permit after Zoning approval while you are waiting or call you when it is ready for payment.
- Permit, Receipt and the Inspection Card to post, will be returned to the applicant.
- Post the Inspection Card at the site. This should be visible for the inspector and available for inspectors approval/denial signatures.
- Call for Inspections.
- Verify Permit Inspections are complete and Permit is closed.
Payment and Fees
Accepted payment methods:
- Cash
- Check (made out to the County of Roanoke)
- Credit card (MasterCard, Visa)
For an estimate on your Permit cost use our FEE ESTIMATOR for New Residential Structures or Alterations to Existing Structures.
All Building Permits are also subject to a State Levy Fee of 2% and a Technology Fee of 5% also shown on the last field on the FEE ESTIMATOR.
Typical Inspections
Call 540-772-2065 when ready for inspections.
Information needed to request for an Inspection …
- Application Number (Found on the Issued Permit)
- Address of the job
Typical Inspections for Deck/Porch Permits …
Building
- Pier Footing
- Framing (necessary only if deck is less than 48 inches from ground level or includes a roof structure.)
- Final Building
Electrical (fans, outlets, lighting, wall heating)
- Rough-In Electrical
- Final Electrical
**Inspections may vary due to type of project.
**Always call before covering work.