Deck Construction Permits in Fort Wayne

Local Rule

Allen County Department of Planning Services

Fort Wayne and unincorporated Allen County share the same building department, and a deck needs an Improvement Location Permit under a real published fee: $70 for a deck of 200 square feet or less, $120 for anything larger, effective under the schedule dated January 1, 2026. A guard becomes mandatory once the deck surface sits more than 30 inches above grade, measured vertically within 36 inches horizontally of the open edge, per Section R312.1.1. Applications for either Fort Wayne or unincorporated Allen County go to the same office at 200 E. Berry St., Suite 180.

Source · Verified September 2026

Fort Wayne Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Allen County

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

Allen County Building Department (serves Fort Wayne and unin

The Allen County Building Department's residential permit guide lists decks alongside room additions and pools as projects requiring a construction plan, surveyed site plan, and foundation plan, with no separate size exemption published for decks. Fort Wayne, the county seat, has no building department of its own and shares the same office and process as unincorporated Allen County.

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Fort Wayne 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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