Deck Construction Permits in Savannah

Local Rule

City of Savannah Development Services, Permits for Construction

Savannah enforces the Georgia-adopted small-deck exemption of 200 square feet, 30 inches above grade, freestanding and not serving a required exit door. The city's own Permits for Construction page requires an owner performing work themselves to submit a signed and notarized Homeowner's Affidavit along with a copy of their driver's license, and to agree to hire only Georgia-licensed contractors for any portion of the work they do not perform personally. Savannah has one of the largest urban historic districts in the country, and its Historic District Board of Review separately reviews exterior modifications including decks, fences and patios within that district, on top of the standard building permit.

Source · Verified September 2026

Savannah Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Chatham County

Savannah's own rule is shown above (Depends on project scope). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

Chatham County Office of Building Safety & Regulatory Servic

Chatham County's own permitting page explicitly lists "sun decks" among new structures requiring a building permit, alongside garages, carports, and room additions, with no square-footage exemption stated.

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Savannah with a confirmed deck construction rule:

FAQs

Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need

Popular tools and materials homeowners use for a deck construction project:

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