Do I Need to Make an Application to Build a Porch?

Porch Safety

• Porches raise safety concerns with building and insurance officials, especially when they're constructed above ground. When the porch is covered with a roof, structural support is installed with posts or columns, often finished with wood detailing that traps moisture. Porches that don't meet building codes might not be sufficiently supported, and building materials deteriorate when maintenance is neglected. The structural design and construction of porches needs to meet the same standards as the main house.

Permits for Porches

• Generally, local regulations require permits for accessory buildings and additions when the proposed structure exceeds a certain size limit, usually in the range of 100 square feet. Other factors might also be relevant, such as whether it's in the front or back yard, or attached to the main building. Porches usually fall into the latter category. In cases where permits aren't required, the porch still has to comply with zoning ordinances for the area, and building codes.

Application Requirements

• Detailed drawings might have to be submitted for approval as part of the application process, depending on local regulations. A site plan shows the existing house, the location and size of the proposed porch and accessory buildings already on the property, in relation to the property line and required setbacks -- distance from the property line. Construction drawings show size and dimensions of the porch, and foundation and roof details, as well as details for roof framing, handrails, guards and stairs.

Design Guidelines

• Local officials also have an interest in porches for the character they bring to the neighborhood, especially for period and heritage design. Porches are an integral part of the architecture of the house, and the quality of the property -- and even the neighborhood -- is diminished when they're altered or replaced without sensitivity toward the original intent. New developments often encourage porches for their association with a distinct community aesthetic. Check local design and building guidelines for recommendations about the visual quality of your porch.