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DECKS AND COVERED PORCHES A site plan showing the location of the deck or porch on the property and distance from lot lines is required when applying for the permit. Inspections shall be conducted on the footings, after the holes are dug and before posts are set. Additional inspections shall take place after the support structure is framed but before the decking is installed, and upon completion of the project. It is your responsibility to contact the City of Midland Building Department to schedule each inspection. Footings • Existing open porches located on the front of the home are allowed to be covered if the porch extends less than 6’ from the home. These porches cannot be enclosed. • Decks attached to the dwelling in any way must be supported by footings that extend below the frost line of 42”. Decks not supported or attached to dwellings and less than 30” above grade need not be supported by footings that extend below the frost line. • Concrete mixes that are used to set the post foundations must be mixed with water and allowed to set before backfill. No dry mix is allowed. Stair/Step Requirements • Stairways shall be a minimum of 36” wide. • Handrails shall be provided on at least one side of each continuous run of treads or flight with 4 or more risers and shall be continuous for the full length of the flight. • Handrails that run adjacent to walls shall be a minimum of 1.5” from the adjacent wall. Handrails must be a minimum height of 34” for stairs measured vertically from the nosing (front) of the step. • Deck handrails shall be a minimum of 36” in height. • Intermediate rails, spindles or ornamental closures are required and shall be spaced so that a 4” sphere cannot be passed through the opening. • A 6” sphere must not be able to pass through the triangle opening formed by the stair riser, tread and bottom of handrail. • Risers on steps must be a maximum of 8.25’ high. No riser height dimension in a flight of stairs shall vary by more than 3/8”. Stair treads must be a minimum of 9” deep. No tread depth in a flight of stairs shall vary by more than 3/8”. Guard & Railing Requirements • Decks or walking surfaces higher than 30” above grade shall be provided with a guard. • Porches, balconies, or raised floor surfaces located more than 30” above a floor or grade shall have guards/railings not less than 36” in height. • Guards/barriers must be a minimum of 48” in height. For Above Ground Pools • Decks on above ground pools cannot be closer than 10’ to the property line. • Access gates shall open outward away from the pool and shall be self-closing and self-latching. Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located within 54” of the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate at least 3” below the top of the gate. • The gate and barrier shall have no opening greater than ½” within 18” of the release. The information presented in this handout is collected, maintained, and provided for the convenience of the reader as a guide. If you have any questions regarding the installation of decks or covered porches, please contact the City of Midland Building Department ([PHONE REDACTED], [EMAIL REDACTED]).