Legality of making a 2nd floor deck/porch on my house... - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

420sx · 07-12-2010, 10:15 AM

Im in the process of re-doing the roof that's above my porch at my house. The roof was previously covered with sheet metal and then tar. We ripped up the sheet metal, and most of the wood underneath is in good shape. Part of the roof is flat, and where it was supposed to have a slight angle, it had a depression and water sat there, eventually leaking into the porch below. The angled part of the roof is just a wooden A-frame to give the water someplace to go. Theres nothing structural about it. We typically go out the 2nd floor window and hang out on the roof. My question is, can I remove the A-frame, put a slight grade on the roof, and put a ladder up to it and build a guardrail around it? Would I need a permit or anything for this? I'm more than capable of doing this work myself, but if im going to need a permit, Ill probably just plywood and re shingle the roof.

My artistic skills are lacking, but hopefully youll get the idea. Ill take real pictures when i get home today.

james_ls · 07-12-2010, 11:21 AM

Hit up the township, they are VERY leiniant around here with things like that.

They'll send out an inspector to look at your idea, and the actual building itself.

(You should see the friggin porch my neighbors are building, two floors, could land a helicopter on the top)

420sx · 07-12-2010, 11:27 AM

Well thats the thing... we're also doing constuction on the first floor, and the inspectors were a bunch of sticklers. A lot of the work on my house is pretty shoddy- the house was built in 1810. I have a feeling if I ask, theyll say no just because.

jpalamar · 07-12-2010, 11:32 AM

I belive you have to submit plans to the local govt and get permits. Anything is legal once approved :-)

PrideNas · 07-12-2010, 02:05 PM

The problem with just doing it is this:

If you build it and someone who doesn't like you finds out you did it without a permit, there's a chance they will report it and the inspectors will come and make you tear it down and fine you.

It's easier to figure out a way to get it done without any recourse in the future.

DPancoast · 07-12-2010, 04:19 PM

just go to the township. will have a lot to do with if it can structurally hold

90HP · 07-13-2010, 09:50 PM

id just do it. if neighbors arent nosey there is nothing to worry about. unless this is going to cost you alot of money and you cant afford to knock it down.

we built an addition to our shed, garage door and all, when we tried selling the house we had problems, they said it was alright safety wise but it was too close to the street outback by a foot or so, i dont think the neighbors cared and its still up 6 years later, although we moved since.

07-12-2010, 11:21 AM	#2
james_ls TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Warrington Member #1614 My Ride: 1998 Acura Integra LS//VTEC iTrader: (0)	Hit up the township, they are VERY leiniant around here with things like that. They'll send out an inspector to look at your idea, and the actual building itself. (You should see the friggin porch my neighbors are building, two floors, could land a helicopter on the top) __________________ *Heller Dope* - When the ** is doper than Hellen Keller; it's Heller Dope To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. BUY MY STUFF!** To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

07-12-2010, 11:27 AM	#3
420sx Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Warrington, PA Member #2811 My Ride: '98 240sx, 98 Impreza L, 00 SV650 iTrader: (5)	Well thats the thing... we're also doing constuction on the first floor, and the inspectors were a bunch of sticklers. A lot of the work on my house is pretty shoddy- the house was built in 1810. I have a feeling if I ask, theyll say no just because. __________________ loltst

07-13-2010, 09:50 PM	#7
90HP Tri-State Training Wheels Join Date: Jun 2010 Member #16782 iTrader: (1)	id just do it. if neighbors arent nosey there is nothing to worry about. unless this is going to cost you alot of money and you cant afford to knock it down. we built an addition to our shed, garage door and all, when we tried selling the house we had problems, they said it was alright safety wise but it was too close to the street outback by a foot or so, i dont think the neighbors cared and its still up 6 years later, although we moved since. Last edited by 90HP; 07-13-2010 at 09:53 PM.

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07-12-2010, 11:32 AM	#4
jpalamar TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orefield, PA Member #13773 My Ride: '14 Mustang GT iTrader: (3)	I belive you have to submit plans to the local govt and get permits. Anything is legal once approved :-)

07-12-2010, 02:05 PM	#5
PrideNas Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: May 2010 Member #16452 My Ride: Nissan Skyline GTR R33 iTrader: (0)	The problem with just doing it is this: If you build it and someone who doesn't like you finds out you did it without a permit, there's a chance they will report it and the inspectors will come and make you tear it down and fine you. It's easier to figure out a way to get it done without any recourse in the future.