SAMPLE GUIDE FOR RESIDENTIAL
WOOD DECKS
EFFECTIVE Jan 4, 2010 there will be a
Zoning Permit Fee of $50.00 payable to
1. Submit 3 copies
of the actual property survey showing the location of the deck in relation to
house and property and include payment for Zoning Permit Fees of $50.00 payable
to
2. Submit 2 copies
of scaled drawings. All drawings should
indicate owners name, address of job site, block and lot number. To draw your own plans you must be the owner
and occupant of said property, if not you will need drawings by a
3. Submit a completed Construction Permit application and
Building Subcode application.
4. The drawings submitted shall include the following
information:
a.
Show deck in relation to
house.
b.
Show door from house to
deck.
c.
Indicate distance from
top of threshold to deck
(the deck shall not be more than 8 inches below the top of
threshold without a landing)
d.
Specify type of wood
being used to construct the deck
(pressure treated or
naturally durable heartwood of redwood, cedar, black
locust and black walnut.)
e. Show
footings, columns, girders, joists, ledger, flashing, decking,
guardrails (for decks 30 inches above floor or grade below),
handrails,
stairways, lateral
bracing, and connectors.
f. Indicate the height from grade to the top of
the deck.
g. Fasteners shall be approved for use with
pressure treated lumber
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM #4
1.
Pier Footings: Minimum 36 inches below grade and 12 inches
in diameter cut straight or use Sono Tube forms. (Second floor stairway
stringer ends require footings).
2.
Columns: Minimum 4 inches X 4 inches anchored to
footings and secured to girder to prevent girder rotation and deck uplift. Decks greater than 5 off ground minimum
column size to be 6 X 6.
3. Girders:
NOTE - joints in girder must be positive bearing above the support
columns.
MAXIMUM SPAN FOR 1 STORY 1 ½ STORIES TO
2 STORIES
2 (2 X 6) 5
- 0 4
- 0
3 (2 X 6) 6
- 0 5
- 2
2 (2 X 8) 6
- 4 5
- 6
2 (2 X 10) 8
- 0 7
- 0
3 (2 X 8) 8
- 0 7
- 0
3 (2 X 10) 9
- 0 8
- 0
2 (2 X 12) 9
- 0 8
- 0
4. Floor Joist:
Size Spacing Maximum Clear Span
2 X 6 16
on center 9 - 1
12
on center 10 - 0
2 X 8 16
on center 12
- 1
12
on center 13
- 3
2 X 10 16
on center 15
- 3
12
on center 16
- 8
5.
Ledger: Board against house
securely attached with ½ inch diameter galvanized lag bolts of sufficient length to bolt firmly into
rim joist a minimum of 2 Ό. Lag bolts
shall be 16 on
center in a staggered pattern. Provide
two bolts, one above the other, at each end.
Provide
galvanized washers between heads of bolts and wood. Through bolting with a washer
on the outside and a washer and nut on the inside of the building, with similar
bolting
pattern as lag bolt is also acceptable.
6.
Flashing: Provide
continuous corrosion-resistant flashing along ledger in such a manner as to prevent the passage of moisture into the
wall, any untreated wood or wood siding. (EXCEPTION)
Not required if against vinyl siding, metal siding or masonry. In this case
provide shims as not to crush siding when bolts are tightened.
7. Guards: Walking
surfaces and open sides of stairs more than 30 above grade shall have guards
not less than 34 measured vertically from the stair nosing and not less than 36 above a walking surface. Balusters
or spindles shall be constructed so a 4 sphere cannot pass. (Exception: The
triangular opening at the bottom rail of a guard and stair shall not allow the
passage of a 6 sphere. Guards shall be constructed to withstand a 200 pound
load in any direction along the top rail.
8. Stairways: Minimum
stairway width is 36 inches, Maximum riser height is 8 Ό inches.
Minimum tread is 9 inches. A nosing not less than Ύ but not more than 1
Ό shall be provided when solid riser are used.
9. Handrails: All
stairways with four or more risers require continuous handrails. Handrails
shall not be less than 30 or greater than 38 measured vertically from the
stair nosing. Handrails shall be continuous the full length of the stairs.
Handrails shall be returned or shall terminate to a wall or post. Grip sizes
shall have a cross section of 1 Ό min. to 2 5/8 max. Other shapes that
provide equivalent grasping surface are permissible.
10. Lateral
Bracing: If deck is far enough
above ground to cause it to sway, diagonal
bracing
is to be installed between girder and posts.
11. Connectors: All
connectors, nails, screws, bolts and related hardware shall be
hot-dipped
zinc coated (galvanized), stainless steel, silicon bronze,
copper or
other corrosion resistant materials. When using hangers (TECO) all round holes
must be filled using (TECO) nails.
12. Required inspections:
Call (908) 204-3172
between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to schedule inspections.
CALL ONLY
WHEN YOU ARE READY FOR INSPECTION.
1. The
bottom of footing before placement of concrete.
2. Frame inspection for decks less than 5 feet
above the ground.
3. Final
4. Final payment should be made after final
inspection is made
and approved
N.J. State Law 13:5A-16.2
If
you have any questions about these or any other requirements please call
Dennis Bettler, Construction Official @ 908-204-3030 or e-mail
dbettler@bernards.org