How to Follow Municipal Codes for Porches

The building and inspection codes for your community dictate the rules for any new construction on your property. Town and city officials determine codes based on community aesthetics, as well as the influence of new development on property values. You need to follow municipal codes for minor additions like porches, driveways and decks to avoid fines.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Plan for porch
• Property map
• Copies of contractor licenses

1. Draw a general outline of your property to follow municipal codes for porches. Several copies of this outline with the locations of your electrical box, fences and property additions should be submitted to city hall.
2. Schedule an inspection through your municipality to follow building codes for porches. A city inspector needs to assess the viability of placing a porch on your property before construction begins.
3. Write out the dimensions and materials used in your porch to adhere to municipal codes. A specific plan for your porch developed with software like the Home Designer package by Better Homes and Gardens helps set an end goal for city inspectors following construction (see Resources below).
4. Prevent water run-off from your new porch onto adjacent properties to follow municipal codes. Sloped porches with simple gutter systems help pools of water stay in your yard.
5. Complete every section of your building permit application to help you construct a porch within municipal codes. A community like Shelburne, Vermont, uses a standard permit application with sections for project size and sketches (see Resources below).
6. Adhere to municipal codes on material types as you build a new porch. A familiarity with wood types through websites like Wood Guru will help you avoid the use of soft woods that fall outside of building codes (see Resources below).
7. Dig footings on your property that will help prevent frost damage during winter. Most cities have a minimum depth that needs to be excavated to install new additions below the frost line.
8. Meet the safety standards set by your city for utilities in a new addition during construction. A porch with lighting, heat and water should fulfill the same standards as your home to prevent a safety hazard on your property.

Tips & Warnings

• Request copies of licenses and certifications by your contractor to follow municipal building codes. Contractors and subcontractors are required to have professional licenses in most municipalities to ensure safety. You should make this request before filing your building permit to avoid problems during inspection.

Who Can Help:

• Find Awning Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.
• Find Deck & Porch Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.
• Find Contractors Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.