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TextDecks in Fairfax County
Building Permits
The construction of a deck and alteration of an existing deck in Fairfax County requires the following permits:
- Building Permit.
- Electrical permits for hot tub, spa or similar installations.
To apply for a permit, go to the Permit Application Center at the Herrity Building in Fairfax. To learn more about the permit application process, please refer to our Decks publication.
Building Plans and Typical Details
You must submit the following during the permit application process.
- One completed building permit application and possibly one completed electrical permit application.
- Two copies of the house location plat.
- Two sets of drawings. The Fairfax County Typical Deck Details may be used in lieu of drawings. This publication offers residents and customers with a consistent, structurally sound and code compliant avenue for the construction of a residential deck. They can be used to supplement or substitute a plan submission to the county.
- Evaluation report for approved deck and railing products composed of structural plastics, composite materials and foreign lumber.
- Deck Attachement Certification for all decks that attach to your house.
Deck Safety and Deck Maintenance
Industry reports that 2.5 million decks are constructed in the United States annually, prompting experts to warn that with such large numbers comes the probability of an increase in deck failures. Most decks fail at the connection to the house or where the guard posts attach to the deck.
If you're building a deck, it is essential that you carefully follow one of the guidelines above to ensure strong connections and a safe deck. If you have an existing deck, you will need to perform regular inspections and maintenance; learn more about Deck Safety in Fairfax County.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please refer to our FAQs page, e-mail us or call 703-222-0801, TTY 711 during our hours of operation. The permit, plan review and inspection processes can also be accessed through the Fairfax Inspections Database Online (FIDO).
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