SitePlanWorks

Decks & patios

The cleanest category to permit: most decks fall inside the prescriptive tables (IRC R507 and the AWC span tables), so no engineer has to stamp anything. What the counter wants is a site plan and a framing plan.

8 styles on the same deck demo lot · 8 of them add no lot coverage at all

What sends these back: setbacks measured to the house instead of the deck.

Put one of these on your lot

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DECK 01Attached deckadds noneLevel with the back door, one step down to the yard. The default.DECK 02Wrap-around L deckadds noneTurns the corner of the house and joins the side yard to the back.DECK 03Deck with pergolaadds noneSlatted overhead, so about half the sun. Watch the height limit.DECK 04Tiered deckadds noneFor a yard that slopes — it steps down instead of standing on posts.DECK 05Detached platformadds noneSet away from the house with a path to it. Easiest setbacks to clear.DECK 06Raised deck with railadds noneWhen the floor sits well above grade. Stairs come off the side.DECK 07Ground-level patioadds nonePoured on grade, nothing framed. The cheapest way to get the same room.DECK 08Enclosed courtyardadds noneWalled on three sides — blocks the wind and the neighbours at once.