Do you need a permit for a deck in Dallas?
It depends on the project. Dallas exempts some decks from a building permit and requires one for the rest1; the exemption's limit is 200 square feet, with the conditions in the city's wording below.
On this page
Depends on size or scope
Dallas's rule“Construction of platforms and decks on property that contains a single-family or duplex premises that do not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in area, are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) in height above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling, are not be located in violation of the clearance of overhead service drop conductors, and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4 of the Dallas One- to Eight-Family Dwelling Code.”1
City of Dallas, Planning & Development Department, Sec. 301.2.1 item 13
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Deck exceeding any of the exemption limits | Construction of platforms and decks on property that contains a single-family or duplex premises that do not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in area, are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) in height above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling, are not be located in violation of the clearance of overhead service drop conductors, and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4 of the Dallas One- to Eight-Family Dwelling Code.1 |
Limits and conditions in Dallas's rule
Each limit sits next to the sentence it comes from; the conditions in that sentence are part of the rule.
| Rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Exempt up to this area | 200 square feet | Construction of platforms and decks on property that contains a single-family or duplex premises that do not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in area, are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) in height above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling, are not be located in violation of the clearance of overhead service drop conductors, and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4 of the Dallas One- to Eight-Family Dwelling Code.1 |
| Exempt up to this height above grade | 30 inches | Construction of platforms and decks on property that contains a single-family or duplex premises that do not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in area, are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) in height above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling, are not be located in violation of the clearance of overhead service drop conductors, and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4 of the Dallas One- to Eight-Family Dwelling Code.1 |
| Attached to the house: permit required? | Yes | Construction of platforms and decks on property that contains a single-family or duplex premises that do not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in area, are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) in height above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling, are not be located in violation of the clearance of overhead service drop conductors, and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4 of the Dallas One- to Eight-Family Dwelling Code.1 |
| Serves a required exit door: permit required? | Yes | Construction of platforms and decks on property that contains a single-family or duplex premises that do not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in area, are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) in height above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling, are not be located in violation of the clearance of overhead service drop conductors, and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4 of the Dallas One- to Eight-Family Dwelling Code.1 |
Inspections
- Footing and foundation1 DallasNow online, or IVR 214.670.53132
- Final (building)1 DallasNow online, or IVR 214.670.53132
Special areas and extra reviews
- Exemption does not cover work needing a conservation district work authorization or historic certificate of appropriateness1
Who to ask
City of Dallas Planning & Development Department (Permitting & Inspections)6
Building permits
- Website
- dallascityhall.com3
- Apply online
- aca-prod.accela.com4
- Phone
- (214) 948-44805
- Address
- Oak Cliff Municipal Center, 320 E. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, Texas 752035
- Hours
- Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm5
- Inspections
- Online via DallasNow, or IVR phone 214.670.53132
Deck permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare Dallas with 18 other cities on the national deck permit guide, or go straight to one:
- New York City, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Jacksonville, FL
- Fort Worth, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Charlotte, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- Chapter 52: Administrative Procedures for the Construction Codes (City of Dallas booklet, current through April 23,…City of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentLast updated April 23, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- InspectionsCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Permitting & InspectionsCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- DallasNowCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions - Permitting & InspectionsCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Planning & Development - Permits and InspectionsCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026