Do I need a permit for a deck in Salt Lake City?

Yes, if the deck is over 200 sq ft or more than 30 inches above grade. Smaller ground-level decks may be exempt — call Salt Lake City Building Services at (801) 535-7752 to confirm.

How much does a deck permit cost in Salt Lake City?

In Salt Lake City, deck permit fees follow the city fee schedule: Deck Permit — Valuation-based per SLC building permit fee schedule; Plan Review — 65% of permit fee; State Surcharge — 1% of permit fee. See the Fee schedule section above for the amounts that apply to your project.

Deck Permit in Salt Lake City, Utah

Required for new deck construction or structural modification of existing decks in Salt Lake City.

Verified 2026-06-27 · Source

When you need this permit

Any new deck construction over 200 sq ft
Decks higher than 30 inches above grade
Structural modifications to existing decks

Required documents

Req
Site Plan
Showing deck location, setbacks from property lines, and relationship to existing structure
Req
Construction Drawings
Framing plan, footing details, ledger attachment, railing specifications
Opt
Structural Calculations
Required for elevated decks or spans exceeding prescriptive code tables

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Deck Permit	Valuation-based per SLC building permit fee schedule	—
Plan Review	65% of permit fee	—
State Surcharge	1% of permit fee	—

Review timeline

~7–14 business days

Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Salt Lake City building department

Inspection process

1
Footing
Before concrete pour — verify depth, diameter, and reinforcement
2
Framing
After framing complete — verify ledger connection, joist hangers, beam/post connections
3
Final
Railings, stairs, and all finish work complete

Tips

Decks under 200 sq ft and under 30 inches above grade may be exempt — verify with building services.
Ledger boards must be positively attached to the structure with approved connectors (no nails-only).
If your deck is in a historic district, you may need design review approval first.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for a deck in Salt Lake City?: Yes, if the deck is over 200 sq ft or more than 30 inches above grade. Smaller ground-level decks may be exempt — call Salt Lake City Building Services at (801) 535-7752 to confirm.
How much does a deck permit cost in Salt Lake City?: In Salt Lake City, deck permit fees follow the city fee schedule: Deck Permit — Valuation-based per SLC building permit fee schedule; Plan Review — 65% of permit fee; State Surcharge — 1% of permit fee. See the Fee schedule section above for the amounts that apply to your project.

Sources & verification

Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-27.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Salt Lake City building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Related guides

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