Carroll County Government | Carroll County, Maryland

Building a Deck

Quick Reference

Compliance Guidelines (Decks)
+ Deck Design Examples
+ Applications
+ Fees

Deck construction is considered an addition to a home and therefore requires permits and inspections in order to ensure that it is safe for your enjoyment. We encourage you to review our compliance guidelines for decks before applying for a permit. Other documents you might find helpful include our examples of a deck cross section, deck floor framing, deck cross section with shed-type roof, a front view of a deck with a shed-type roof, a deck cross-section with a gable roof, and deck floor framing with a gable roof.

Permits Required

Your deck will require a building permit. If your deck will feature a hot tub, spa, or other permanent electric-powered component, you will also need an electrical permit. If your deck will feature running water, such as for a sink, or gas piping to feed a gas line directly into a grill, you will also need a plumbing/gas permit. Please gather the construction documentation specified below and submit a building permit/zoning application and an owner / contractor affidavit. After the building permit application is filed, if applicable, have your licensed electrician submit an electrical permit application and/or have your licensed plumber submit a plumbing permit application.

Permit Applications Required List

Permit Process

Many factors affect the speed with which your application(s) are approved. For best results, it is critical that you carefully review your application and design documents prior to submission to ensure that all necessary documents are included and that the design is compliant with the county code. Normally, permits can be issued within 10-15 business days if the application is complete, accurate, and code-compliant.

Construction Document Requirements

Submitted documents must contain sufficient information for the plan reviewer to be able to review the proposed construction.

___ Three (3) plot plans of the entire parcel – drawn to scale – to include:
- ___ Location of the proposed structure
- ___ Measurements from the proposed structure to each property line
- ___ Location of and distance from the existing/proposed well and/or septic area
- ___ Road name
- ___ Drywell location
- ___ All Easements (Floodplain, Forest Conservation, and Utilities)
___ Two (2) complete sets of detailed construction plans – drawn to scale – to include:
- ___ Footing detail indicating size and depth
- ___ Elevation (not required if height above finish grade is provided)
- ___ Beam size and connection detail
- ___ Support posts sizes and locations
- ___ Floor joist size and spacing
- ___ Ledger board connection details
- ___ Decking materials indicated
- ___ Detail of stair construction and location
- ___ Detail of railing system, including materials
- ___ Square footage total

Inspections

Your deck will require a series of inspections throughout the building process. At a minimum, your deck will require the following:

Building Inspections

Footing
Framing
Final

*Framing and Final inspection can be performed during the same visit provided the deck is a minimum of 48" above grade.

Features such as electricity for a hot tub or plumbing for running water or a direct-feed gas line to a grill will require additional inspections.

Scheduling an Inspection

Fees

Please see Row B of the building permit fee schedule. If applicable, see Row D of the electrical permit fee schedule and/or Row D of the plumbing permit fee schedule.