Residential Deck Requirements Guide

This guide page outlines the minimum documentation necessary to allow a permit application for an attached or free-standing, uncovered and unenclosed deck to be accepted for review. For covered decks please refer to the Residential Additions and Alterations Checklist. Applicants may be required to submit additional information as necessary to clearly demonstrate compliance with all applicable codes. Please be advised that incomplete applications, or plans that do not meet the submittal requirements will not be accepted for review

• Scope of Work Form (complete the city form)
• Stormwater & Flood Management Plant Investment Fee Calculation Form (if scope of work does NOT include new impervious surface or underlayment, select “No Change in Impervious Area” box)
• Site Survey (stamped by a Colorado Licensed Land Surveyor)
  • See the Land Survey Informational Handout to determine which type of survey is required for your project scope.
  • The survey should include the height of the principal building for all attached decks more than 30 inches in height and identify any new low point of the building created by the proposed deck addition.

• Lot Area Declaration Form
• Zoning Data Worksheet

The following permits, approvals and supplemental information may be required based on scope of the project and/or the location and development constraints of the property:

• Historic Approval (Demolition Review of buildings more than 50 years of age when the work meets the definition of demolition in B.R.C. (1981) Section 9-16 or Landmark Alteration Certificate required for exterior alterations in a Historic Preservation District or for Individual Landmarks)
• Floodplain Development Permit (required for structures located in a regulatory floodplain)
• Stream, Wetland and Water Body Permit (required for structures located in a regulatory wetland)
• Grading and Drainage Plan (required for structures located on a steep slope or area of mass movement) or where significant grading or changes to site drainage are proposed)
• Soils Report (required for structures located in an area of a steep slope or area of mass movement)
• Wildland-Urban Interface Code compliance information (required for all new decks and for any replacement or repairs of decks requiring a permit for properties located in the urban interface zone)
• Previous Approvals (Notice of Disposition and a copy of any city-stamped approval(s) required prior to the review and approval of this application, such as a Variance, Minor Modification or Site Review)
  • Exterior modifications to properties regulated by a Planned Unit Development (PUD) or Site Review may require an additional review process such as an Administrative Review for a Minor Modification or other development review process may be required. If your property is zoned RL-2, there is a good chance that this applies to your property.
  • Records of past City of Boulder approvals can be requested through pdsrecordrequest@bouldercolorado.gov.
  • If after researching your property history, you are unsure if a Minor Modification is required for your scope of work, please submit a request to our Property Use & Design (Regulations) team.

• Plan drawings shall be drawn to scale, with a graphic scale bar on every page.
• A 3" x 3" square shall be provided in the lower right corner of the first sheet for the city's approval stamp.
• All sheets shall be the same size throughout the entire plan set, oriented so that north is up, and of adequate size to clearly convey all information.
• Site Plan
  • A site plan is required for all decks, regardless of location, height, or whether it is a like-for-like replacement of an existing deck and will be used to verify setbacks, building coverage, and the location of easements.
  • North arrow.
  • All existing and proposed structures including the existing dwelling(s), any existing detached accessory building(s), and any existing or proposed deck(s).

  • Distances to property lines from existing and proposed structures. Please identify the setback requirements for decks attached to the principal building in your zoning district. Required minimum setbacks may be found in B.R.C. Section 9-7-1. To determine your zoning district, go to the City of Boulder eMaplink webpage, turn on the zoning layer, and enter the property address in the search bar. Principal building setbacks for common residential zones are provided below.
    

    Residential Zoning District

    Minimum Setback for Principal Buildings	RL-1, RM-2, RMX-1	rL-2, RM-1	RR-2, RE	RR-1
    Front Property Line	25 Feet	20 Feet	25 Feet	25 Feet
    Rear Property Line	25 Feet	20 Feet	25 Feet	25 Feet
    Interior Property Line	5 Feet	1 foot per 2 feet of building height, 5 foot min.	10 Feet	15 Feet
    Combined Total Side Yard	15 Feet	n/a	25 Feet	40 Feet
    Side Yard Adjacent to a Street*	12.5 Feet	10 Feet	25 Feet	25 Feet

    *On corner lots the setback for a side yard adjacent to a street may be the same as a front yard setback if the neighboring property fronts on the street. Please submit an inquiry to verify setbacks for corner lots.

  • Extent of any easements, as applicable. No structures or any portion of a structure (including below ground sections) may encroach into an easement.
  • Extent of any flood zones and regulated wetlands.
  • Location of overhead or buried electrical service, gas, water, or sewer.
• Building Elevations (required for attached decks and freestanding decks less than 3 feet from a principal or accessory building)
  • Include the locations of all existing windows and doors.
  • Identify any locations where tempered glass exists or will be required.
  • Include the height of the proposed deck, measured from adjacent grade to the walking surface and to the top of any required guards.
• Framing Plan
  • Wood species and structural grade of framing members.
  • Indicate whether the wood has been pressure treated with a wood preservative.
  • Size, spacing and span of joists, beams, girders, posts, stair stringers and any other relevant framing elements.
  • The type, size and spacing of structural fasteners and connectors.
• Ledger Board Attachment Details
  • Include information on the existing siding and framing.
  • Include flashing details and the type, size, and spacing of ledger board fasteners.
  • Provide attachment/fastener details for all connections.
  • Include dimensions for baluster spacing.
• Stair, Stringer, and Landing Details
  • Include the rise and run of the stairs, the number or risers, and the stair width.
  • Provide the number, size, and spacing of stringers.
  • Provide the type, size, and slope of landings.
• Guard and Handrail Details
  • Include the height and fastener/attachment details for any required guards and handrails.
  • Include handrail type, size, and attachment/fastener details.
• Footing Plan and Details (may be included on the framing plan if all details are clear and legible)
  • Include the location, spacing, diameter, material, depth, and attachment/connection details including the number, size, and type of fasteners.
• Exterior Stair Lighting Information
  • Indicate on the plan set how any exterior stairs will be illuminated.
  • All exterior lighting is required to meet the City of Boulder’s Outdoor Lighting Requirements in B.R.C. Section 9-9-16.

May Be Required

• Fire-resistive Assemblies (required for all structures located less than 5 feet from property line)
• Landscape and Street Tree Plan (required where the value of work exceeds 100% of the existing structure)