Deck permit fees and requirements vary by city, and small details can trigger delays, extra fees, or a plan resubmittal. We explain what your jurisdiction expects, including typical costs, common add-ons, and the plan details reviewers look for, so you can budget accurately and keep your start date on track.
Typical Permit Costs and What Changes the Price
What Most Homeowners Pay for a Deck Permit
Permit costs vary by city or county. At the low end, you might spend about $50. At the high end, an extravagant structure in an expensive municipality can run a couple of thousand dollars. Most homeowners fall somewhere in between.
In our experience, the typical range to plan for is:
- Average permit cost: $100 to $400
- Low-end: about $50
- High-end: up to a couple thousand for extravagant projects in higher-cost jurisdictions
Pro Tip: Budget for the permit early so the fee does not become a last-minute surprise when you are ready to schedule the build.
What Makes a Permit More Expensive
Two factors drive cost the most. First, each city or county sets its own fee structure. Second, the simplicity or complexity of the project affects how much review is needed, especially when a design falls outside typical residential guidelines.
Projects can cost more when they require extra review steps tied to complexity, materials, or additional documentation. When you plan for that possibility early, you protect your schedule and reduce back-and-forth during review.
Pro Tip: If your design is atypical, expect added review requirements that can raise total costs beyond the base permit fee.
Extra Fees that Can Affect Your Total Cost
Application Fees and Occupational License Charges
Beyond the permit fee, some jurisdictions also charge an application fee. Another cost we see is an occupational license fee. If a permit has not been pulled in that city within the last year, the city may require an occupational license fee before it will process the permit.
A clean way to plan is to ask these questions before you submit:
- Is there an application fee in addition to the permit fee?
- Will an occupational license fee apply if a permit has not been pulled within the last year?
When you confirm these items early, you avoid getting caught off guard after you have already committed to a start date.
Engineering Seals for Atypical Designs
Some decks require more than standard tables and typical details. If you are doing something out of the ordinary or not defined by the Johnson County residential guidelines, the city may require an engineer’s calculation and seal.
We see this most often when homeowners want longer spans and engineered members, such as:
- Glulam beams
- LVLs
- Long spans between posts that the city cannot verify using in-office tables
Some offices do not have the internal tables or engineering capacity to review those designs, so they request stamped calculations to confirm capacity.
Key Takeaway: Atypical designs can trigger engineer-sealed calculations, which often become an added expense only after the city requests them.
Need expert help understanding costs, timelines, and submittal details? Contact DW Decks for a free consultation.
How Long Permits Take and Why Timelines Vary
Fast Approvals Versus Long Review Cycles
The time it takes to issue a permit depends on the project’s simplicity or complexity and the jurisdiction’s staffing. Bigger cities often have more engineers and planning examiners, which can speed up the review. A simple deck in a fast-approving city might take a day or two. A more complex project in a smaller county can take two to three weeks. For truly extravagant projects, we have seen timelines stretch a couple of months.
A realistic expectation for many projects is:
- Typical range: about 3 days to 2 weeks
- Simple project in a fast city: 1 to 2 days
- Complex project in a smaller county: 2 to 3 weeks
- Extravagant project: up to a couple of months
Planning your build schedule around the review window helps you avoid rushed decisions and last-minute changes.
When Property Line Proximity Triggers More Review
When a deck sits very close to a property line, and the distance is tight, the city may ask for additional verification. If you are within a foot or two and the city cannot extrapolate cleanly from the information provided, it may require a civil engineer’s seal. That seal becomes another cost item you would not expect unless you plan for it early.
If your deck is close to a property line, assume the city may slow the process until it gets the confirmation it needs.
Pro Tip: If the design is complex or near a property line, build extra time into your schedule so the permit review does not derail your start date.
What We Do to Help You Submit with Confidence
We Set Expectations Before You Submit
We help homeowners plan around real permit pricing ranges, likely time frames, and the extra requirements that show up with more complex builds. Our goal is to reduce surprises and keep your project moving.
Before you submit, we focus on the items that most often affect cost and timing, including:
- Jurisdiction-specific review speed
- Whether the project is typical or atypical
- Whether engineering seals are likely to be requested
We Keep the Process Clear and Professional
Permitting is easier when you treat it like a documentation process. When you want a deck that gets approved without unnecessary delays, we help you align your plans with what the jurisdiction expects and what your project truly requires.
If you want clear answers on pricing, timelines, and potential add-on requirements, call DW Decks today to talk through your deck permit fees and requirements.
