Building code for single-family home attached decks

Submitted by NoFocus457 t3_yrfal0 in Maine

I am looking to tear down and rebuild the deck attached to my home. Trying to find a copy of the codes that I have to follow has been a bit challenging, most I find are behind a paywall of some sort. I understand that hiring a contractor would be easier but that would be significantly more expensive than we can afford. A little sweat equity to improve the house won't hurt....if I do it right. With that in mind, where can I find the codes specifically for decks?

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Waste-Bobcat9849 t1_ivtepgl wrote

There are often jurisdictional specifics so contact your town or city office. Depending on where you are you may also need a permit to be in compliance

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Majestic-Feedback541 t1_ivtg5ox wrote

You need to check with your town. Each one has different rules and permits needed. Call or go down to you town office and ask them!

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NoFocus457 OP t1_ivtkasb wrote

Found the local Code Enforcement Officer's email on the town site, reached out to them. Thank you!

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eljefino t1_ivvg5lv wrote

It's probably not so much the building code but they want to make sure you have an appropriate setback from your property line/ neighbors and they will want to know if you've "improved" your house so they can tax you on it.

Realistically if my deck needed replacement and I kept the same footprint I wouldn't even ask.

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Lobstaman t1_ivtll78 wrote

But if you take out and replace the deck one board at a time, it’s considered a repair and no permit needed.

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NoFocus457 OP t1_ivtm3p1 wrote

Would be nice if I could do that. The family would like to make it bigger and transform part of it into a 3 season deck. Also, the ledger board is rotting and ready to fall off the house.

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mainlydank t1_ivtsx2z wrote

Make sure to replace that ledger board with deck to ledger plastic spacers. Alternative would be a bunch of stainless washers but that's way less practical

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DifferenceMore5431 t1_ivtpvnk wrote

Maine currently uses an amended version of the 2015 IRC building code, which includes a section about wood decks (R507). There are other sections that may be relevant depending on the specifics, e.g. Egress (R311) and Fall Protection (R312). Your local city/town may have additional requirements related to decks (most commonly relating to setbacks but really could be anything).

Note that building codes are not instruction manuals for construction... you have to follow the code but if you are inexperienced it will not be much help. Sort of like reading traffic laws won't really teach you how to drive a car.

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Guygan t1_ivthvhj wrote

Just ask your town Code Enforcement Office.

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NoFocus457 OP t1_ivtk3c2 wrote

Thank you for the suggestion! I have located and emailed my local Code Enforcement Office.

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[deleted] t1_ivubktt wrote

[deleted]

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NoFocus457 OP t1_ivucabb wrote

It is on a slope, so one corner is roughly 1 foot off the ground where the tallest corner is about 6 feet

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TDGroupie t1_ivvk43w wrote

Stairs: 7-3/4” max rise, 10” min treads.

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Ironbird207 t1_ivvks2y wrote

Depends on where you live in Maine. Rural enough no one will know if you did or not.

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