Walnut Creek's exemption, quoted
"Decks accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy and not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the required exit door."City of Walnut Creek, Work Not Requiring a Permit
A 14 × 14 ft deck is 196 sq ft; 12 × 20 is 240 sq ft and already over.
On a sloping yard the high corner counts, not the average.
A ledger bolted to the house means it is attached.
If the deck is the landing outside a required exit, it needs a permit.
All four must be true. In practice, an attached deck off a family room or any raised deck needs a permit. Exempt work still has to meet code. Apply through the Walnut Creek permit portal.
Other cities and County areas
| Area | Who issues deck permits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut Creek | City of Walnut Creek | Exemption above; online portal |
| Lafayette | Lafayette planning; building plan check and inspection by Contra Costa County | Lafayette building permits |
| Orinda | Check with the City of Orinda (County building inspection has been reported) | Confirm before applying |
| Moraga | Town of Moraga planning; County plan check and inspection | Confirm with the Town |
| Danville | Town of Danville Building Division | Danville Permit Center |
| Alamo, Blackhawk, Diablo | Contra Costa County (unincorporated) | County permit overview |
Each jurisdiction adopts the California codes with its own amendments, and exemption wording varies. Treat Walnut Creek's exemption as Walnut Creek's only.
What inspections check
- Footings: hole size and depth before concrete, and setbacks on slopes.
- Framing: ledger attachment and flashing, beam and joist sizes, hangers, connectors and bracing, before decking covers it.
- Final: guards (36 in minimum on residential decks more than 30 in above grade under the California Residential Code), stairs, handrails and fire-zone materials where required.
HOA approval and protected trees
HOAs: Blackhawk requires an architectural review application for exterior changes, and Diablo has a property owners association. Get HOA approval in hand before the permit, since design changes restart plan check.
Trees: footings near oaks need care. Walnut Creek protects trees 28 in in circumference and larger, with native oaks highly protected (WC code); Lafayette protects native trees from 12 in diameter (Lafayette); Danville protects 12 native species from 10 in and any tree 36 in and larger (Danville). Digging in a protected tree's root zone can need its own permit or an arborist's plan.
SB 721 and SB 326: not for single-family homes
California's balcony inspection laws, SB 721 and SB 326, apply to buildings with three or more units (apartments and condominium associations). They are not a requirement for single-family homeowners' decks.
Planning costs too? See the deck cost guide. In a fire zone? See fire-resistant decking.