HomeMy WebLinkAboutBuildingGuideDeck1-2family
1 2/6/2024
1 & 2 Family Deck Permits
City of Oshkosh Inspection Services Division
Underground Utilities: Call Diggers Hotline 3 Work Days Before You Dig! 1-800-242-8511
This handout will help guide you through the permit application process. Following the steps below will
help to expedite the issuance of your building permit. Please plan ahead and pick one of the following
methods to apply for your permit. All decks/landings serving an exit, attached or detached, require frost
protected footings. We suggest that you apply for the permit a minimum of 2 weeks prior to your start date
and include any possibleplans for s future hot tub, panter, etc. that may require structural analysis. Permits
can be applied for by using the following methods below:
In Person:
This is the best method to discuss the specifics of your project with a planner and inspector. Typically if
all the required information is submitted, and the information is found acceptable, the permit can be issued
at that time.
How to Apply
Step 1: Obtain site plan approval from Planning Services. They are located in RM 204 on the 2nd floor of
City Hall. A scaled site plan will need to be submitted for their review. If you have questions
about your project contact their office at (920) 236-5059. The planning office is open 8:00am-
4:30pm Monday through Friday.
Step 2: After you’ve obtained site plan approval you may apply for your permit at the Inspection Services
Division RM 205 on the second floor of City Hall.
Submit the following for review:
• A detailed description of all proposed work
• Deck framing plans and the enclosed deck details page. This information must provide the following:
Overall size, Ledger size/attachment (minimum 2x8), Footing size/location, Post size/locations, Beam
size/span/location, Joist size/span/spacing, Height of the deck above grade, Guardrail height/spindle
spacing, Connection details (footing –post/post-beam/beam-joist), Flashing type, Decking material
(wood/composite), lateral support.
Owners may obtain permits for construction projects if the house is owner occupied. All contractors shall
include their Dwelling Contractor Certification and Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification numbers
from the Department of Safety and Professional Services. Our office is required by the State of Wisconsin
to verify these certifications prior to issuing permits to contractors performing work on one and two family
dwellings. Typically if all the required information is submitted, and the information is found acceptable,
the permit can be issued at that time. Inspectors are available for consultation and permit issuance 7:30am-
4:30pm Monday through Friday.
Payment
The City of Oshkosh accepts cash, check or credit/debit cards for payment (a service fee applies when us-
ing cards). If you have questions on permit fees please see page 2.
Inspection Requests
After the permit is obtained inspections can be requested by calling the Inspection Request Line at (920)
236-5128. This is an automated line, and you will need the permit number or address and inspection type
you are requesting to schedule.
2 2/6/2024
Online:
When applying for a permit online please follow this link: http://www.oshkoshwi.gov/EvolvePublic/
How to Apply
Step 1: Click on “New Account” or “Login” located in the upper right hand corner and enter your contact in-
formation. If you have an existing account with our department you may need to contact our office at
(920) 236-5050 to set up a password.
Step 2: Click on “Permit Application” on the left side of the screen. Select “Residential Building” for the cat-
egory and “Deck” for the type, click Next.
Step 3: Enter the address of the project, click next. If the address does not show up enter it in the 3rd box,
click next.
Step 4: Enter the description of your project and the cost. It also needs to include the fair market values for
labor (even if you are doing the work) and material costs. Only the highlighted fields need to be filled
in, click next.
Step 5: If you are applying as the owner, you may also if you choose, add any contractors you may have hired
for your project. This is not required. Only contractors that have obtained permits in the past with the
City of Oshkosh may be added, as they will have an existing account.
Step 6: Upload the following for review: site plan, framing plans, beam/header calculations deck design sheet.
Step 7: Read the Esignature statement and check the “I agree to conditions” box, hit finish.
Step 8: You will see a message that your application has been submitted for review. Someone from the City
will contact you if additional information is required and/or when the permit is ready to be issued.
Please check your junk/spam folder if you do not receive contact from the City.
* Please note that no construction can commence until after the permit is approved and obtained.
* When the permit is ready to be issued you’ll be able to make payments.
* Inspections will be able to be scheduled after the permit has been obtained.
Permit Fees: See the following link to view permit fees: https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/
InspectionServices/PermitFeeSchedule.pdf
See the following fee schedules to determine the permit fees:
• Inspection Services fee schedule for building fees. Questions please contact (920) 236-5050.
• Assessors fee schedule for property record maintenance fees. Questions please contact (920) 236-5070.
• Planning Services fee schedule for zoning fees. Questions please contact (920) 236-5059.
Please make checks payable to “City of Oshkosh”.
Effective January 1, 2016, The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services adopted Appendix B and
C in the Uniform Dwelling Code . Please note that the following building code requirements are not all inclu-
sive. To view Appendix B and C please follow this link: http://dsps.wi.gov/Programs/Industry-Services/
Industry-Services-Programs/One-and-Two-Family-UDC/UDC-Admin-Code/
All decks will need to comply with these requirements or be designed by a structural engineer:
• All lumber must be pressure preservative treated unless it’s a naturally durable species such as cedar. The
lumber must also be graded and stamped.
• Nails must be threaded, which includes ring-shanked and spiral-grooved.
• All fasteners must be galvanized steel, stainless steel, or approved for use with treated wood.
• All hardware, hangers and anchors must be galvanized steel with 1.85 ounces of zinc per square foot or
stainless steel.
• A deck that has concentrated loads that exceed 40 pounds per square foot (planters, hot tubs, multi level
decks, etc.) will require engineering analysis.
Building Code Requirements:
3 2/6/2024
Footings:
• Minimum compressive strength of 3,000 pounds per square inch.
• Footing size and thickness must be in accordance with the chart below.
• Footings must include any roof loads that may exist if used to support. Example covered front/side porch.
• Each post must bear directly over the middle one−third of a footing.
• Footings must bear on solid ground at least 48 inches below finished grade. Bearing onto unprepared fill
material, organic soil, alluvial soil, or mud is prohibited.
• If the edge of a deck footing is closer than 5 feet to an existing house wall, the footing must bear at the
same elevation as the existing footing for that wall.
4 2/6/2024
Posts & Beams:
• Maximum post height for a 4”x4” post is 6’, a 6”x6” is 14’ (measured from the top of the footing to the
underside of the beam).
• Any post supporting a beam splice must be a 6”x6”.
• Posts must be properly attached to the beams per the below diagrams.
• Beams must comply with the following:
5 2/6/2024
Joists:
• Joists must bear at least 3” onto beams unless joist hangers are used.
• Joists may overhang past the center of the beam up to one-fourth of the joist span.
• Full depth blocking or bridging is required for 2”x10” or deeper joists at intervals not exceeding 8’ with
(3) 10d toe-nails at each end.
6 2/6/2024
Joist Hangers:
• The joist hanger depth must be at least 60 percent of the joist depth.
• The joist hanger must accommodate the number of plies being carried.
• Do not bend hanger flanges to accommodate field conditions.
• Screws are not allowed unless recommended by the manufacturer of the hanger.
Ledger Attachments:
• Ledgers must be greater than or equal to the depth of the joist but never less than a 2”x8”.
• Ledgers can not be attached to the house when I joists or floor trusses are installed unless manufacturer
approval is granted. A free standing deck would be required.
• The top of the ledger board and the top of the deck joists must be at the same elevation.
• Siding must be removed in the area of the ledger and flashing must be installed.
• Ledgers can not be attached through an exterior veneer such as brick, stone or to a house overhang.
7 2/6/2024
Lateral Support:
• Diagonal bracing shall be provided both parallel and perpendicular to the beam at each post for all decks
greater than 24” above grade. Where parallel to the beam, the bracing must be bolted to the post at one
end and to the beam at the other. Where perpendicular to the beam, the bracing must be bolted to the post
at one end and to a joist or blocking between the joists at the other. Where a joist does not align with the
bracing location, provide blocking between the adjacent joists.
• Bracing is not required perpendicular to the house for a deck that is attached to the house with both a ledg-
er and minimum of 4 tension ties or 2 hold down tension devices.
• Parallel bracing may be omitted for a deck which is attached to the house and which has all of its decking
installed at a 45 degree angle to the deck joists.
If hold-down tension devices are used they must
be provided in at least 2 locations per deck.
8 2/6/2024
Guards:
• Guards are required on all open sides of decks that are more than 24 inches above grade.
• Openings in guards can not allow passage of a sphere 4 3/8 inches in diameter.
• The triangular opening formed at steps can not allow passage of a sphere 6 inches in diameter.
• Rope, cables, etc. can be used if it’s strung with a maximum opening of 3 1/2 inches and vertical supports
no more than 4 feet apart.
• Guard posts can not be notched.
• Hold-down anchors/other approved means must be used to attach the guard post to the end and rim joist.
The City of Oshkosh
has adopted design
standards for single and
two family homes.
Decks/Porches visible
from the street must
include posts, rails and
balusters with non-
visible fasteners. Con-
tact the City of Osh-
Composite
decking may
require a closer
joist spacing.
See manufac-
ture install
instructions.
9 2/6/2024
Stairs:
• Minimum width of a stairway is 36 inches. A level landing 3’x3’ is required at the top and base of stair
flights.
• Treads minimum 9 inches; Risers maximum 8 inches.
• Treads and risers can not vary within a stair flight by more than 3/8”.
• Level landings must equal the width of the stairway.
• Stringers must be solid 2”x12”s and can not be spaced more than 18 inches on center.
• Stringers must bear on a solid surface and may require frost protection (see diagram).
• Span length of a cut stringer may not exceed 6 feet horizontally and the throat less than 5 inches.
• Span length of a solid stringer may not exceed 13 foot 3 inches.
10 2/6/2024
Handrails:
• A flight of stairs with more than 3 risers must be provided with at least one handrail.
• The handrail must be located at least 30 inches but no more than 38 inches above the nosing of
the tread.
• The handrail must be graspable.
• Handrails must be continuous from the lowest riser to the highest riser or landing.
11 2/6/2024
Circle and/or write in the below information for your specific project.
This information is required to be submitted with your deck plans.
Decking:
2x4 2x6 Five-quarter boards
Plastic Composite Other__________
Post Size:
4x4 4x6 6x6
Post Height: __________
Joist Size:
2x6 2x8 2x10 2x12
Joist Spacing:
12 inches on center
16 inches on center
24 inches on center
Joist Overhang: (max 1/4 span of joist length)
No overhang Other ____________
6 inch 12 inch 18 inch 24 inch
Footing Size: ___________
Footing Thickness:
6 inches
8 inches
Other __________
Footing Depth:
48 inches
Diamond Pier Size_____________
HandiPier Size______________
Other __________
Beam Size:
2x6 2x8 2x10 2x12
Number of Plies:
2 3
Beam Overhang: (max 1/4 span of beam
length)
No overhang Other ____________
6 inch 12 inch 18 inch 24 inch
Ledger Size:
2x8 2x10 2x12 Free Standing
Ledger Fasteners:
1/2” Diameter Lag screws
LedgerLOK Srews
SPAX PowerLag Screws
Other _________________
Lateral Support:
Tension-ties
(not allowed for free-standing decks)
Diagonal bracing
(not required if the deck is less than 24” above
ground)
Ledger Attachment To:
Conventional Framing
TJI’s (1” rim board required or free standing)
Floor Trusses
NOTE: Ledgers can not be attached to cantilevers,
brick facades and block foundations without engi-
neering/structural analysis.
Project Address: _____________________________