What's Required in Portland
- A building permit is required for any deck whose walking surface is more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, measured 36 inches from the deck edge, and for exterior stairs over 30 inches.
- Guardrails on decks over 30 inches must be at least 36 inches high, block a 4 inch sphere, and resist a 200 pound horizontal load.
- Attached decks over 30 inches need concrete footings 12 inches below ground; free-standing decks may bear on firm undisturbed native soil.
- All wood must be pressure-treated or naturally decay-resistant, with ground-contact posts stamped as such.
- Attached decks over 30 inches must meet zoning setbacks and building coverage; low decks in environmental, greenway or river overlays may need a zoning permit.
- The application needs a site plan, elevation drawing and structural plans submitted through DevHub.
- Fees are valuation-based: building permit plus 65 percent plan review, a Development Services fee, a 12 percent state surcharge and a $125 zoning inspection fee.
- Contractors must hold an Oregon CCB license; a homeowner may do the deck's electrical work only if they own and occupy the home.
Do you need a permit for a deck in Portland?
It depends on height. Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D) requires a building permit for a deck whose walking surface is more than 30 inches above the adjacent grade, measured 36 inches out from the edge of the deck. A deck, patio or stairs at 30 inches or lower needs no building permit as long as no part of it is closer than 3 feet to a property line, though zoning still applies, and a low deck in an environmental, greenway or river overlay zone may need a zoning permit. A covered deck is a different project: the roof brings in accessory-structure zoning standards, so consult staff first. Exterior stairs more than 30 inches above grade also need a permit.
How much does a deck permit cost in Portland?
The fee is valuation-based. PP&D values a new deck at 50 percent of the ICC Building Valuation Data figure for Utility occupancy, Type VB construction, and uses the greater of that or the value you state. The ICC table is a paid publication, so these examples use stated values. A 12 by 16 foot attached deck (192 square feet) declared at $9,000 pays: building permit $220.85 for the first $2,000 plus 7 x $13.91 = $318.22; plan review at 65 percent = $206.84; Development Services fee $35.74 plus 7 x $3.74 = $61.92; Oregon 12 percent surcharge on the permit fee = $38.19; zoning inspection $125. Total about $750. A 400 square foot composite deck declared at $25,000 pays $540.78 + $351.51 + $121.76 + $64.89 + $125 = about $1,204. The minimum building permit fee is $167. A deck light or outlet adds an electrical permit: first branch circuit $174 plus 12 percent, $194.88.
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Ground-level deck, walking surface 24 in above grade, 3 ft from lot lines | No building permit | Exempt at 30 in or lower; zoning permit optional unless in an environmental, greenway or river overlay |
| 12 x 16 attached deck, 4 ft above grade | Building permit | Over 30 in; about $750 at a $9,000 valuation including plan review, Development Services fee, surcharge and zoning inspection |
| 400 sq ft composite deck with stairs, 6 ft above grade | Building permit | About $1,204 at a $25,000 valuation; guardrails 36 in high with openings that block a 4 in sphere |
| Replacing decking boards on an existing permitted deck | Confirm with PP&D | PP&D publishes no repair exemption for decks; 'build or replace an exterior stairway more than 30 inches' is a listed permit trigger |
| Low deck in an environmental overlay zone | Zoning permit | Development that needs no building permit but needs zoning compliance in an overlay zone requires a zoning permit |
| Covered deck or roof over a deck | Building permit and consultation | Covered decks are treated as accessory structures; a patio cover over 200 sq ft needs a building permit |
| Hot tub on a deck more than 30 in above grade | Building permit review | The deck must be shown to carry the hot tub's weight; the hot tub itself needs electrical or mechanical permits for heating |
What does a permitted deck have to include?
Brochure 3 sets the baseline. A deck taller than 30 inches needs guardrails at least 36 inches above the walking surface, patterned so a 4 inch sphere cannot pass through, and designed for a 200 pound horizontal load at the top rail. A deck attached to the house needs concrete footings 12 inches below ground; free-standing decks may bear on firm, undisturbed native soil. All wood must be pressure-treated or naturally decay-resistant, and posts touching soil or concrete must be stamped for ground contact. Where guardrail walls are less than 50 percent open, zoning measures height to the top of the rail. Attached decks over 30 inches are subject to zoning setbacks and building coverage, and guardrails, benches or planters taller than 3-1/2 feet may not sit in the front setback.
Who can build it and how do you apply?
You can build your own deck or hire a contractor licensed by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). The application needs a site plan, an elevation drawing and structural plans showing beams, joists, posts, footings and the ledger connection to the house. Submit everything through Development Hub PDX (DevHub); reviewers send a checksheet if they need corrections, and fees are due before issuance. Request inspections through the 503-823-7000 line, typically footings before concrete, framing, and a final; a permit expires if more than 180 days pass between inspections. Starting work before the permit is issued adds an investigation fee of at least $167. A deck at the front of the lot or on a corner lot with no setback is checked for encroachment into the public right-of-way.
How to Get a Deck Permit in Portland
Measure the height and check zoning
Measure from grade to the walking surface 36 inches from the deck edge. Look up your zone, overlays and setbacks on PortlandMaps under Permits & Zoning, or call 503-823-7300.
Prepare site, elevation and structural plans
Show property lines and distances, deck dimensions, post and footing layout, beam and joist sizes and spans, the ledger connection, stairs and guardrails.
Apply on DevHub
Submit the building permit application and plans through Development Hub PDX. Add an electrical permit application if the deck will have lights or outlets.
Respond to checksheets and pay fees
Reviewers send a checksheet for any corrections. Permit, plan review, Development Services, surcharge and zoning inspection fees are due before the permit is issued.
Build and get inspected
Call 503-823-7000 with your IVR number for footing, framing and final inspections. Do not cover work before approval; keep inspections within 180 days of each other.