Residential Deck Regulations Where to Apply Do you Require a Permit for

Regardless of whether you require a permit or not, your Deck?

the following regulations must be adhered to:
Permit requirements differ depending on the type
Decks and sundecks must be located one Office Location: of deck you are proposing to build. Please refer to
meter from side and rear yard property lines. the following definitions:

Planning and Development A DECK means an unenclosed platform or

Maximum site coverage for all development,
414 King Street series of platforms with direct access to the
including all buildings or structures, depends ground. Deck may be attached to a dwelling.
on your land use district and development Spruce Grove, Alberta
A deck is deemed to be accessory to the
type. Please contact a Development Officer principal building on the site.
if you need assistance determining which
regulation applies to your lot. A COVERED DECK means a platform or
series of platforms that may be attached to a
R1 District
57% for street-oriented rowhousing Office Hours dwelling and with a roof attached to and
forming part of the same dwelling, with direct
internallots, subject to conditions;
access to the ground. A covered deck may
50% for all other developments
Monday to Friday be enclosed by glass or other screening.
R2 District A Development Permit and Building Permit is
65% for row housing developments 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. required for a deck that is greater than 0.6 meters
57% for street-oriented rowhousing internal (2 feet) above the ground.
lots, subject to conditions;
50% for all other development A Development Permit and Building Permit is
required for a covered deck.
RE1 & RE2 District
50% lot coverage for all development types Building Application Requirements:

A
If a Development Permit is required, it will be
processed prior to the Building Permit being You will be required to provide:
issued; however, both may be applied for Completed Development Permit application form
concurrently.
Completed Building Permit application form

Deck? Completed Right of Entry Form (Signed by owner

on title)
Mailing Address: Current Land Title (no more then three weeks old)
City Hall
315 Jespersen Avenue Three (3) copies of a site plan. Including
Spruce Grove, AB T7X 3E8 setbacks to rear and side property lines.

Development and Three (3) copies of construction drawings and

specifications.
Phone: 780-962-7582 Building Drawings must show rail height, distance
Fax: 780-962-1062 Requirements between slats, deck height, etc.
Authorization from the Registered Owner, if you are
and Fees not the owner.
Revised April 2016
Development Permit application fee $80.00.
Building Permit application fee $103.00 plus Safety
Codes and Fire Inspection fee.
Printable copies of all permit application forms are
located on the City of Spruce Grove website.

www.sprucegrove.org.
 Deck Construction Guidelines

Plan Details Columns and Joists Stairs, Guards and Handrails

Indicate deck size (length, width and height) Stairs shall have a minimum width of 860mm (34)
through proper dimensioning. with a uniform rise and run. Minimum rise is 125mm
(5) maximum rise is 200mm (7 7/8). The minimum
Provide deck layout, indicating the joist direction Wood columns shall be pressure treated when they are within a vertical distance of 150 mm (6 in.) and the ground. run is 210mm (8 1/4) and a minimum tread depth
on the plan as well as size, spacing of joists and of 235mm (9 1/2). The maximum run and tread
span between joist supports. Wood columns that support the deck beams shall be a minimum of 140mm x 140mm (5 1/2 x 5 1/2 in) depth is 355mm (14)

Show size, location and height of columns. Deck joists shall have solid blocking installed between each deck joist, or continuous wood strapping on the underside Open sides of a deck must be protected by a
of deck joists where the clear span of the joists exceed 2.1 m (7 ft.). guardrail on each side not protected by a wall for the
Specify beam size. length where there the elevation is more than 600
Deck joists and beams may cantilever 600 mm (2 ft.) beyond their supports mm (24) between the deck and ground; or if the
Show the type of foundation and depth below adjacent ground, within 1.2 m (47) of the deck, has
grade. a severe slope.
Describe the location, size and depth of piles
complete with sealed engineering. Sample Joist spans (with strapping) Openings in guards in all non-industrial buildings
shall be small enough that a spherical object with a
Provide details of stairs (if any). For example, the Deck Joists 38 X 184mm (2x8) 38 X 235mm (2x10) 38 X 286mm (2x12) diameter of 100 mm (4) wont fit through.
width, height, rise, run, handrails, etc. Joist Spacing 400mm 600mm 400mm 600mm 400mm 600mm Guardrails must be designed so no part, including
(16) (24) (16) (24) (16) (24)
ornamental fixtures, will facilitate climbing. There are
Maximum Joist Span 3.36m 3.20m 3.96m 3.77m 4.52m 4.30m specific code guidelines to ensure this requirement
(110) (106) (130) (124) (1410) (141) is met.
Foundation
Guardrails must be at least 1.07 m (42) high, from
Part 9 foundation system must be at least 1.2 m Sample Beam spans (minimum 3 ply) the deck surface to the top of the guardrail.
(4) below grade and extend at least 150 mm Guardrails serving one home can be 0.9 m (36)
(6) above grade and may consist of a strip footing Beam size 38 X 184mm (3-2x8) 38 X 235mm (3-2x10) 38 X 286mm 3-2x12) high if the deck surface is not more than 1.8 m
and foundation wall or footing pads and concrete (511) above the ground.
Beam Span 2.42m (711) 2.96m (98) 3.44m (113)
columns. (supporting joist up to
3.6m (119) in length
Concrete and Screw piles are not provided in the
Beam Span 2.10m (610) 2.56m (84) 2.98m (99)
Alberta Building Code and will require the seal and
(supporting joist up to Appeal
signature of a Professional Engineer.
4.8m (159) in length
If your application has been refused, or approved
subject to conditions set forth by the Development
Should you wish to appeal a decision made by the Safety Codes Officer, it must be submitted in writing within 30 days Officer, you may appeal the decision to the
of the decision date. All appeals on building issues can be made to the Safety Codes Council. SUBDIVISION AND DEVELOPMENT APPEAL BOARD.
If an applicant wishes to appeal the decision, a written
notice of appeal must be served to the Subdivision and
Questions?
Development Appeal Board prior to the appeal expiry
date noted on the permit, accompanied by the
Call us at (780) 962-7582 appropriate fee.