Is a permit required?
Arlington Heights issues building permits for decks through its online Civic Access portal.
"Apply for building permits (fencing, decks, driveways, pools, etc.), upload documents, schedule inspections, communicate with staff, and track your permitting process."
Source: vah.com
The village has a permit type called Deck or Porch - Residential.
"PERMIT TYPE: DECK OR PORCH- RESIDENTIAL"
Source: cms2.revize.com
What to bring
Construction plans for a deck must be dimensioned and scaled and show footings, foundations and railing heights.
"construction plans need to be dimensioned and scaled. Need to include details on footings, any foundations, railing/heights, etc."
Source: cms2.revize.com
A plat of survey showing current conditions is required, with the deck drawn in and its distance to two intersecting lot lines.
"Plat must reflect current conditions of the property. The proposed structure needs to be shown with the dimensions of the structure, as well as the distances to two intersecting lot lines."
Source: cms2.revize.com
A contractor's proposal giving the work details and project cost is also required.
"needs to provide details of the work to be done and the cost of the project"
Source: cms2.revize.com
How to apply
Deck permits are applied for through the Civic Access Portal.
"All permits are applied for through the Civic Access Portal"
Source: cms2.revize.com
Once placed into review, initial review or revisions typically take up to 10 business days.
"the typical time frame allotted for initial review or revisions is 10 business days."
Source: cms2.revize.com
Footings and frost depth
The village's amended residential code sets the frost line depth at 42 inches.
"Frost Line Depth .....42 inches"
Source: library.municode.com
A free-standing deck that is not directly reached from a door of the main building does not need footings below the frost line.
"Free-standing decks that are not directly accessible from a door of the primary building need not be provided with footings that extend below the frost line."
Source: library.municode.com
How close to the property line
The zoning code allows a deck in the rear yard only, and it must be at least 15 feet from the rear lot line.
"Deck, with a minimum distance of 15 feet from rear lot line"
Source: library.municode.com
Inspections
Required inspections vary by project and are listed in the village portal.
"Inspection requirements vary per project and are available on the citizen self-service portal."
Source: vah.com
Inspection requests must be made at least 24 hours ahead, and requests for the next business day must be in by 4:00 pm.
"Inspection requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance; same-day inspections are not offered at this time."
Source: vah.com
Other rules
The village amended the model residential code to delete several permit exemptions (building list items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 of Section R105.2).
"R105.2 Work exempt from permit. Delete the following list items: Building: List items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10."
Source: library.municode.com
Before anyone digs
Illinois law requires a call to JULIE, the state's one-call system, before digging deck footings. Call 811 or (800) 892-0123, or file online, at least 3 days before work starts. The call is free, and the locate is good for 25 days. On a hired job, the company doing the digging makes the call. More on Illinois deck rules
We are not the City of Arlington Heights. Rules change, and some neighborhoods and HOAs have their own. Confirm with the city before you build. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Deck builders that serve Arlington Heights
- Wood decks
- Composite decks
- PVC decks
- Composite decks
- PVC decks
- Screened and three-season porches