"Floating" Deck - A Furniture or Need a Permit?

I am looking into building a deck in my yard but I am not sure if I need a permit for this or not.
I have been doing some research in regards of New York regulations on decks and came to a stump.

We have a backyard in Brooklyn NY where the first floor neighbor has the front 20ft of the garden, then a PVC fence that divides the yard to which the back 22ft of the yard is our portion of the backyard (we are the second floor owner and has the stairs that goes to our portion of the yard).
We want to build a wooden deck on the ground on our portion of the yard. Currently, the ground is all dirt. The ground is not completely leveled so we are planning on building a frame that will level out the difference and wood panel it. All and all the whole deck will be up about 6 inches or so above the dirt. It will not be connected to our building since our portion of the yard is not connected the building and the whole structure will be basically just be placed on the dirt not secured onto anything.

Would we need to get a permit for this? I’ve read other questions/answers on Brownstoner and had some mentions that this might be considered as a furniture…??
Do the deck still need to be 3 ft away from the next door neighbor???s landline for fire safety?

Thank you for your time and I am looking forward to hearing back.

kim4

in Decks and Porches 12 years and 10 months ago

5

301

Please log in, in order to post replies!

5 replies

Newest Oldest

bfarwell | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5096 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5098 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "28102"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "bfarwell"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BmtBtFlvFXRo1uEIfrUkzpMoSB3NzY/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "bfarwell"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "brad@bradfarwell.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(50) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/bfarwell/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:45:20"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "bfarwell"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(28102)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

In my memory, there are also little flat-topped pyramidal cast concrete pads that just sit on the ground, with a wooden block at their apex; you just put them where you want and then build on top of ’em.  Maybe 10″ high?  avoids the permit required for the footings… although that seems ridiculous for such a small thing (not like they’re footings for a building).

daveinbedstuy | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5060 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5099 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(55) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I know it’s not the correct way to do so but I built a deck back in 1995 that sits on the ground, elevated off of it by fieldstone, no footings and it’s still in the same shape as it was back then.  It’s not large, maybe 20′ x 8′ but I never had any problem with it

brucef | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5030 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5100 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "4724"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "brucef"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BBW3UzNM8B1w6uproJMdiiw1vnHriz1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "brucef"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "bruce@jerseydata.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/brucef/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:13:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "brucef"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(4724)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I also believe a non-raised deck detached from your main house requires no permit.

I 2nd Dave’s recommendation that you start with a handful of strategically placed footings fabricated with sono-tubes, probably 12″ will do. When you fill the tubes with cement, mount studs sticking out of the top to fasten the metal isolators that will keep the bottom of your wood framing raised above the soil.

Don’t sweat the exact elevation of the footings, just dig at least 30″ down (36″ better) and you will level your framing by adjusting the upright, regardless of the exact height of the footing.

daveinbedstuy | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5105 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5106 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(55) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

If I wanted one of these I’d just go ahead and build it.  more importantly you should be concerned about supporting the wood portions above the earth so that it doesn’t rot.  Brick and stone will do.  There are small concrete footings made as well for that sort of thing.

karhu | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5102 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5104 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "66123"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "karhu"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "karhu"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "uhnil@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(47) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/karhu/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2010-08-15 19:28:25"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "karhu"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(66123)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

No, you don’t need a permit.