EXTERIOR PATIO AND DECK INFORMATION

Concrete piers. Patio decks that are attached to single-family dwellings are required to have 42” frost footings at bearing posts or foundations.

Decay resistant wood.  Approved naturally durable woods such as cedar or redwood or pressure-preservative-treated wood shall be used for those portions of wood members, which are exposed to the weather. Posts, poles and columns supporting permanent structures that are embedded in direct contact with the ground or embedded in concrete exposed to the weather shall be approved pressure preservative treated wood suitable for ground contact use.

Fasteners. Fasteners for pressure-preservative-treated wood shall be of hot-dipped galvanized steel, stainless steel, silicon bronze or copper the exception to this is fasteners that are one-half inch in diameter or greater.
 
Stairway illumination. All exterior stairways shall be provided with a means to illuminate the stairs; For more information on stairway illumination, use the link in the left menu section. 

Residential deck joist span table; [Click Here]

Stairways and landings. Stairs shall comply with the following: [Click Here]

Deck Attachment. Where supported by attachment to an exterior wall, decks shall be positively anchored to the primary structure and designed for both vertical and lateral loads as applicable. Such attachment shall not be accomplished by the use of toenails or nails subject to withdrawal.

• (Note) The shear capability of lag screws cannot be exceeded, as a general rule of thumb two one-half inch lag screws at 16” on center is acceptable, remember these need to be lagged through the ban box into the structural framing.

Where positive connection to the primary building structure cannot be verified during inspection, decks shall be self-supporting.