Deck Construction Permits in St. Paul

Local Rule

City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections

The city's own Department of Safety and Inspections handout states the rule directly: building permits are required for decks and platforms, with an exception only for a deck or platform not attached to a structure with frost footings, not acting as a landing outside an exterior door, and not more than 30 inches above grade, with no separate square footage cap in that exception. A distinctive local layer: even an exempt deck must meet zoning setbacks once it exceeds 24 inches above grade (a deck under 24 inches is treated as landscaping), and a deck in a Historic District needs Heritage Preservation Commission approval.

Source · Verified September 2026

St. Paul Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Ramsey County

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

Municipal (varies by city; the county has no deck permitting

In Saint Paul, decks and platforms not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a structure with frost footings, and not part of an accessible route do not require a building permit, though zoning setbacks must still be met for any deck more than 24 inches above grade. North St. Paul and South St. Paul both require a building permit for every deck project regardless of height or attachment.

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near St. Paul 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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