Looking to build a deck this summer and visited L & I website. It's very confusing with all kinds of links for drawing specifications and forms that are needed since an EZ permit cannot be filed (building it off the side not the back). Home is a brick twin in roxborough, btw.

Anyone have any advice on this? I keep calling but i'm transfered around to different people and/or voice mailboxes (which are always full) until i'm disconnected.

Any help would be appreciated.

Don't get the permit. Just build the deck. If a neighbor dimes you out and L&I show up, then get the permit. It takes several hours at the Municipal Services Building.

I don't know about L&I, but here's some good info about building a deck, which I happened to have open on my browser:
http://www.awc.org/Publications/DCA/DCA6/DCA6.pdf

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If the home owner does it, CityMan is right. The penalty is the cost of the permit, which is like $50. If I built the deck, I'd get the permit because of my liability insurance. Let's face it, until the city makes it easier to do the right thing, 95% of the construction in the city will have no permit.

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Chris Stock
The Stock Group
215.510.0647
Sustainable General Contracting
Historic Eco Friendly Painting
Home Restoration
www.thestockgroup.net

The L&I website is pretty easy, and even has sample plans to follow during the app. process. Respectfully, if the process isn't understood its because a qualified builder should handle most of this process.

http://www.phila.gov/li/faq/permits/deckinfo/index.html

The City of Philadelphia requires all individuals to obtain permits prior to constructing a wood deck for a single family dwelling that is 12 -inches or more above the ground. The cost is $52.00 to cover the $25.00 Zoning permit, $25.00 Building permit and the $2.00 State fee. If construction is started without a permit and a violation is issued, an additional special inspection fee will be imposed equal to the Building and Zoning permit fees.

REQUIREMENTS

General Construction
All lumber must be pressure treated or naturally durable, such as redwood or cedar
All hardware must be non-corrosive
The foundation must be a minimum of 2'6" below ground
The guardrail vertical balusters may have a maximum opening of 4"
Complex decks and/or deck exceeding 400 sq. ft in area are required to be certified by an registered architect or engineer
Zoning Requirements
Complete a Zoning Permit Application
Provide six (6) copies of a Plot Plan.
Definition
Example
The plot plan will be reviewed for compliance with following Zoning requirements
The deck can not be located in the front or side yard.
The guard rail height may be a minimum of 36-inches and a maximum of 42-inches.
The deck can not have a roof, walls, stairs, or an enclosure beneath the deck.
Deck supports must not prevent vehicle access to the garage or parking space, regardless of its use.
A minimum distance of 3-feet must be maintained from the deck to the rear property line or common driveway.
All support columns must have a 1-foot,
6-inch clearance from the side lot lines if they are within 4-feet, 6-inches of the common driveway.
For decks above driveways, the clearance between the lowest horizontal support beam and the driveway must be at least 6 feet.
A deck attached to buildings located on the corner must not extend beyond the building line.
Building Requirements
Complete the Building Permit Application
Provide three (3) copies of a sketch of the deck, including:
Size and spacing of joists
Size and spacing of posts
Size of beam
Siz and method to attachment of ledger
Height of deck above grade
Sample Plan View
Sample Cross Section Sketch

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Magellan2's prescription:
ATTENTION ALL READERS...
DISCLAIMER: Alesis is a South Street business owner
(keep that in mind when reading his or her responses)

Thanks for your comments, but with all due respect alesis, you're wrong regarding the drawings (4 copies needed) as well as the fee ($62). The process isn't as easy as you claim and a qualified builder isn't, nor should be needed for a homeowner to build a deck. The reason it's confusing is because the L & I website you referenced isn't the current L & I webiste. Try this link:
http://webapps.phila.gov/li/

NauticaBum-
The information contained on the website regarding permits, plans, codes etc. can get confusing pretty quickly.

I'm aware that L&I is now running a "homeowner assistance program", where individuals looking to do home improvement work (i.e. decks, interior remodeling, etc.) can schedule 1 on 1 appointments with L&I inspectors/plans reviewers who can provide free advice on permits, codes, building materials, etc. Its run every Saturday morning out of L&I offices at rising sun and benner.

I believe the number to call and schedule an appointment is (215) 686-2436.

Is this the consensus for all types of construction? I am having a contractor demolish a 'mudroom' and replace it with a small one story addition on the back of my home. I've tried several of the L&I phone numbers, left several messages, etc., in order to inquire about the process but I am yet to hear back from them. Shall I proceed with the work without the permit?

While it's true that you can build without a permit and hope that no one calls L&I, and even true that if L&I catches up with you, the fine is only nominally more than the cost of the permit, there is a major issue you're all avoiding.

Not all permits are approved. If you build a deck off the side of your house (or demo and rebuild a one story addition on the rear) and it does not meet zoning or building codes, the permit can be denied and you can be made to remove the new structure. Trust me. I've had contractors build decks, remodel bathrooms and install wheelchair lifts for me for almost 20 years now. A couple of times they've "forgotten" to draw permits. Sometimes they luck out and can just get them retroactively, but a few times they've had to tear it all down and eat the cost.

It's simpler to get it right the first time. Go to L&I's counter in the lobby of the municipal services building at 15 & JFK. They'll walk you through the process.

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How come dozens of homes in Philly ie; twins, rowhomes etc who have decks have stairs ?????