Deck Construction Guide

This handout is intended only as a guide and is based in part on the 2015 Minnesota State Building Code, the 2015 American Wood
Council and the 2012 IRC, Sherburne County ordinances, and good building practice. While every attempt has been made to insure the
correctness of this handout, no guarantees are made to its accuracy or completeness. Responsibility for compliance with applicable
codes and ordinances falls on the owner or contractor. For specific questions regarding code requirements, refer to the applicable codes
or contact your local Building Department.

BUILDING PERMITS
Building permits are required for decks with the following exception: freestanding decks, regardless
of size, if they are not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not attached to structure.
Freestanding decks do not require footings that extend below the frost depth but do need to
withstand 90 mph wind loads and be anchored to the ground.

Building permits can be obtained from the Building Department by filling out an application, deck
plan checklist, and submitting your building plans.

PERMIT EXPIRATION
If you suspend work on your deck for more than 180 days since permit issuance or your last
inspection, your permit will expire. If unforeseen circumstances delay construction, contact the
Building Department before your permit expires.

INSPECTIONS
1. Call 1 day in advance
2. Have address, permit number, and type of inspection (ex. footing) ready
3. Let scheduler know if you wish an exact time
4. Footing Inspection - Holes dug, loose material/water removed. Plans and inspection card on-
site and accessible.
5. Final Inspection - All work complete and all stairs, handrails, and guards in place. Plans and
inspection card on-site. Installation instructions for composite decking on site.
6. If work is approved, the inspector will sign the inspection card and you may proceed with the
next step.
7. If corrections are noted, a correction notice will be left on the site. If a re-inspection is required it
will be noted on the notice.

Please do not hesitate to call the Building Department at 763-765-4450 if you have questions. If necessary, we
will be happy to meet with you on the site to help resolve any concerns or problems.

-1- Rev. 1/1/2018

 THINK YOU MIGHT ENCLOSE YOUR DECK IN THE FUTURE?
Deck plans are approved on the assumption that the deck will be used only as a deck for the life of
the structure. Because footing sizes, setbacks, structural supports, and a host of other deck
components are different for enclosed porches than for decks, it is important that you indicate on
you plans the desire to convert the deck at a future date. You should then design your deck to carry
future loads and meet setbacks and other rules.

ZONING REGULATIONS
Decks are permitted as an addition to a dwelling in a side or rear yard or as a freestanding structure.
Setbacks differ depending on the zoning of each parcel and the type of road, lake, or waterbody that
the property fronts on. Because there are so many variables, we advise our residents to contact the
Planning and Zoning office to determine the required setbacks that pertain to a particular property.
Setbacks are routinely checked as a part of the plan review and again at the time of the footing
inspection. Questions regarding zoning regulations should be directed to the Planning and Zoning
Office at 763-765-4450.

-2- Rev. 1/1/2018

 MATERIALS
Fasteners
Nails and other hardware must be hot-dipped zinc-coated (galvanized), stainless steel or equal. Screws
should be either hot-dipped galvanized or electroplated with a polymer coating. 12d nails are recommended
on nominal 2-inch decking. 10d nails are recommended for 5/4" decking.

With lag screws, use a flat washer under the head. Use washers under the nut and head of machine
bolts and just under the nut of carriage bolts.

Alternative ledger fasteners (ex. Ledger locks) are approved if used to manufacturing specifications

Lumber
All wood used in deck construction must be pressure treated lumber or wood that is naturally resistant to
decay such as redwood or cedar.

Wood used above ground, in contact with the ground, or below ground requires different degrees of
treatment. Check the labels of the material you are buying to determine where it can be used.
Because some preservative treatments are very corrosive, make sure that any fasteners or metal
connectors used in the construction of your deck are approved by the manufacturer for use with
treated wood.

Decking
Materials commonly used for decking include standard dimension lumber (either 2X4 or 2X6), radius-
edged decking, or a manufactured decking product.

Radius-edged Patio Decking (5/4 decking) has been specifically developed for outdoor decks. Redwood
and cedar patio decking is intended to be used flat-wise in load-bearing applications where spans
do not exceed 16" o.c. (12” o.c. when installed diagonally to joists).

MAXIMUM DECK BOARD SPANS

2x6 OR 5/4 SOUTHERN PINE PERPENDICULAR TO JOIST 24” O.C.
5/4 CEDAR OR REDWOOD AND 2X4 PERPENDICULAR TO JOIST 16” O.C.
OR 5/4 SOUTHERN PINE OR 2X6 AT 45 DEGREES TO JOIST
5/4 AND 2X4 AT 45 DEGRESS TO JOIST 12” O.C.

-3- Rev. 1/1/2018

 FOOTINGS
Call Gopher State One Call for utility locations at least two working days before you dig. Dial 811 or
1-800-252-1166 or 651-454-0002.

THE REQUIRED AREA OF THE COLLUMN

SHOULD FULLY BEAR ON THE FOOTING

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 Sherburne County approved list of alternate footings
 Diamond pier-DP50/50 minimum
 Pier Tech-Helical Pier
 Other footings may be approved pending Building Official approval

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 BEAMS
Construct beams using two or more 2 inch nominal pieces of lumber. Nail beams together using
16d nails at 16 inches o.c. along each edge of the beam. A spacer may be used to fir the beam to a
3½ -inch width. Beams should be installed with any arch or crown facing up. Attachments to
columns should be with post caps designed for such use. Splices must occur over columns.

BEAM SPANS (Wet Service)

(Center of one column to center of next)
(Source American Wood Council 1/1/18)

Beam Joist Spans

Species
Size 6’ 8’ 10’ 12’ 14’ 16’ 18’
2-2X6 6’8” 5’8” 5’1” 4’7” 4’3” 4’ 3’9”
2-2X8 8’6” 7’4” 6’6” 5’11” 5’6” 5’1” 4’9”
2-2X10 10’1” 8’9” 7’9” 7’1” 6’6” 6’1” 5’9”
2-2X12 11’11” 10’4” 9’2” 8’4” 7’9” 7’3” 6’9”
Southern Pine 9
3-2X6 7’11” 7’2” 6’5” 5’10” 5’5” 5’ 4’9”
3-2X8 10’7” 9’3” 8’3” 7’6” 6’11” 6’5” 6’1”
3-2X10 12’9” 11’ 9’9” 8’9” 8’3” 7’8” 7’3”
3-2X12 15’ 13’ 11’7” 10’6” 9’9” 9’1” 8’7”
2-2X6 5’2” 4’5” 3’11” 3’7” 3’3” 2’10” 2’6”
2-2X8 6’7” 5’8” 5’1” 4’7” 4’3” 3’10” 3’5”
Cedar, 2-2X10 8’1” 7’ 6’3” 5’8” 5’3” 4’10” 4’5”
Redwood, 2-2X12 9’5” 8’2” 7’3” 6’7” 6’1” 5’8” 5’4”
Ponderosa 3-2X6 7’1” 6’5” 5’9” 5’3” 4’10” 4’6” 4’3”
Pine 3-2X8 9’5” 8’3” 7’4” 6’8” 6’2” 5’9” 5’5”
3-2X10 11’9” 10’2” 9’1” 8’3” 7’7” 7’1” 6’8”
3-2X12 13’8” 11’10” 10’6” 9’7” 8’10” 8’3” 7’10”

-6- Rev. 1/1/2018

 JOISTS
JOIST SPANS (Wet Service)
(Source American Wood Council 1/1/18)
JOIST SIZE SOUTHERN PINE WESTERN CEDAR/PONDEROSA PINE
12” oc 16”oc 24”oc 12” oc 16”oc 24”oc
2X6 9’11” 9’ 7’7” 8’10” 8’0” 6’10”
2X8 13’1” 11’10” 9’8” 11’8” 10’7” 8’8”
2X10 16’2” 14’ 11’5” 14’11” 13’0” 10’7”
2X12 18’ 16’6” 13’6” 17’5” 15’1” 12’4”

Special Floor Framing Details

-7- Rev. 1/1/2018

 JOIST DETAILS

JOIST SPACING IS DETERMINED

BY THE TYPE OF DECKING
USED. 16” O.C. SPACING MUST
BE USED WITH 5/4 DECKING OR
WHEN 2X6 OR 2X4 DECKING IS
USED AT A 45° ANGLE. 12” O.C.
SPACING REQUIRED WHEN 5/4
DECKING IS USED AT A 45°
ANGLE.

-8- Rev. 1/1/2018

JOIST TO BEAM ATTACHMENTS

-9- Rev. 1/1/2018

 STAIRS
Stairs must have a maximum rise of 73/4 inches and a minimum run of 10 inches measured as
shown. The greatest riser height within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more
than ⅜ inch. The greatest tread depth within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by
more than ⅜ inch. Open risers are permitted provided that a 4” diameter sphere will not pass
between the treads.

Stairs must be a minimum of 36 inches wide above the handrail and 31½ inches below the handrail.

- 10 - Rev. 1/1/2018
 GUARDS AND HANDRAILS
Guards and handrails must be provided as shown on the following illustrations. Guards must
continue down stairs where the stair is more than 30 inches above grade

Handrails must be provided on at least one side when there are four or more risers.
Handrails must have returns and be graspable. Other handrail shapes having an equivalent
gripping shape may be used with prior approval of the Building Department.

Handrails must be continuous for the entire length of the stairs and may not be interrupted
by newel posts except at landings.

The bottoms of the stringers should rest on a sound foundation such as a gravel bed, a concrete
pad, pavers, or similar.

- 11 - Rev. 1/1/2018
HANDRAILS MUST RETURN TO A NEWEL
POST AND BE CONTINUOUS WITHOUT
INTERRUPTION FOR THE LENGTH OF
THE FLIGHT

Examples of
Graspable Hand
Rail

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