City Guide · Verified 2026
Deck Construction Permits in Davenport
Local Rule
City of Davenport Building and Land Development (Municipal Code Ch. 15.12, IRC Local Amendments)
City code exempts platforms and decks that are not more than 30 inches above grade, not over any basement or story below, and not attached to any structure. A deck attached to the dwelling by a ledger board, or one exceeding 30 inches above grade at any point, needs a full building permit regardless of its area. This is more permissive than the standard published for unincorporated Scott County outside city limits, where every deck requires a permit with no exemption at all. Footings in this part of the Quad Cities region are built to a 42 inch minimum depth and 12 inch diameter to clear the local frost line, inspected before concrete is poured, and any deck over 30 inches above grade needs a guardrail at least 36 inches high with baluster spacing no wider than 4 inches.
Source · Verified September 2026
Davenport Building Department
Office: City of Davenport Building and Land Development Department
Address: 1200 E 46th St. (Davenport Public Works Center), Davenport, IA 52807
Phone: (563) 326-7745
Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.
How This Compares to Scott County
Davenport's own rule is shown above (Depends on project scope). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:
Scott County Planning and Development (unincorporated areas,
The county's own Decks page states directly that all decks require a building permit, with no size-based exemption, a stricter policy than the more common IRC-based exemptions used in many other jurisdictions; footings for uncovered decks must be 12 inches in diameter and 42 inches deep, and any deck over 30 inches above grade requires a guardrail system with top railing at least 36 inches high. The county performs these services for unincorporated Scott County plus Dixon, Donahue, LeClaire, Long Grove, McCausland, Panorama Park, Princeton, and Riverdale through intergovernmental 28E agreements, though those cities' own zoning approval must be obtained first.
Nearby Cities with Verified Rules
Other cities near Davenport with a confirmed deck construction rule:
FAQs
Which department handles Deck Construction permits in Davenport?
City of Davenport Building and Land Development (Municipal Code Ch. 15.12, IRC Local Amendments) handles Deck Construction permits in Davenport.
Is Davenport different from Scott County on Deck Construction?
Yes. Davenport's rule is "Depends on project scope", while Scott County in general is "Permit required". See the full breakdown of each below.
Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need
Popular tools and materials homeowners use for a deck construction project:
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