BUILDING BULLETIN One and Two Family Dwellings Decks and Residential Access Ramps City of Virginia Beach Building Permits & Inspections Updated 4/30/09
Table of Contents I. Introduction... 1 II. Tips from Permits and Inspections... 1-2 III. Inspections required for Deck Construction... 2 IV. Permit Application Requirements... 2 V. General Regulations & Guidelines... 2 VI Construction Guidelines (2006 USBC and AF&PA Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide)... 3 A. General:... 3 B. Footings... 3-5 C. Framing... 6-8 D. Connection to existing structures... 9 E/F. Guardrails and Stairs/Ramps... 10-11 G. Handrail Guidelines as per Section R311.5.6.3... 12 H. Final Inspections... 12-13
I. Introduction To: Building Contractors and Owners/Builders doing construction within the City of Virginia Beach From: Cheri B. Hainer Re: General information regarding code regulations of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) as they affect building construction within the City of Virginia Beach. The purpose of this building bulletin is to provide a general guideline for the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC). Sections, which are listed in the bulletin, are just brief summaries of various code sections. The 2006 USBC supersedes all other codes. References- 2006 USBC (Uniform Statewide Building Code) 2006 AF&PA (AF&PA Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide) 2006 IRC (International Residential Code) City Ordinance (Zoning Regulations) The main focus of the bulletin will be on the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC). II. Tips from Permits and Inspections º To schedule (before 7:55 am) or to check on the status of an inspection, call the automated inspection system (IIRS) at 385-4YOU (385-4968). An inspection may be scheduled 5 days prior to needing the inspection. The system runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. º When calling the office (385-4211, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm) to cancel an inspection or for permit information, please have the correct building permit number and address ready to give to the office staff before you call. Always jot down the name of the inspection personnel when requesting or receiving information over the telephone. If a problem arises, you can quickly ask to be referred to the same person who should be familiar with the situation. º After scheduling your inspection on the (IIRS) automated system, the inspection is usually performed at the convenience of the inspector making his round. An approximate time for the inspection can only be given in the am or pm, otherwise time of the inspection can be arranged if you call (385-8060) between 8:00 am to 9:00 am to talk with the inspector who has your area; specific appointments can possibly be arranged between the two of you. 1
º Keep all inspection cards that are left on the site by the inspectors. An occasion may arise where verification of the inspection is needed, and office delays may inconvenience your schedule. III. Inspections required for Deck Construction º Footing inspection º Final building inspection IV. Permit Application Requirements º Site plans or physical surveys approved by the City of Virginia Beach Zoning Office shall be submitted when applying for any deck. For more information regarding property setbacks, lot coverage, and other site development criteria that may exist for your lot, contact the Zoning office at 385-8074. º A plan/aerial view of the deck shall also be provided by the permit applicant showing locations of stairs, ramps, rails, or other fixed features to be installed (such as a Hot Tub, benches, planter boxes, or additional concrete patio areas). º Construction materials, footing details shall be provided by the applicant. When affixing the deck to a dwelling unit, a wall section shall also be provided indicating attachment method used. V. General Regulations & Guidelines Posting of Building Permits 2006 USBC Section 110.5 and IRC Section R105.7 Building permits shall be promptly and conspicuously posted at the building site at all times until the completion of an approved final inspection. Failure to post the building permit will cause delays in requested inspections. Disposal of Refuse and Debris from Construction Site City of Virginia Beach shall not be responsible for the collection or hauling of building materials. The contractor shall provide refuse receptacles for the construction debris and litter. Construction sites are to be cleaned at the end of each working day. Construction sites shall be kept clean and orderly at all times. (City of Virginia Beach Code Section 31-8) 2
VI. Construction Guidelines (2006 USBC and AF&PA Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide) A. General: Decks shall be designed for a live load of 40 psf (pounds per square foot) for the floor joists and supports. (2006 IRC Table 301.5) All wood material exposed to the elements shall be treated in accordance with American Wood Protection Association standards. Wood supports that are embedded in ground shall be treated for use below ground. (2006 IRC R319.1.2 & R319.1) B. Footings Decks Attached to a Dwelling Unit: Decks up to 6 above grade shall be supported by minimum 4 x 4 (6 x6 for decks higher than 6 above grade) column anchored to the minimum required poured concrete footing. The bottom of the footing shall not be less than 12 inches below grade. Minimum Footing Sizes 2 Beam Span, L B 6' 8' 10' Joist Span, L J Round 1 Footing Diameter Footing Thickness 3 Beam Span, L B Joist Span, L J Round 1 Footing Diameter Footing Thickness 3 < 10' 21" 8" < 10' 15" 6" < 14' 17" 6" 12' < 14' 24" 10" < 18' 20" 7" < 18' 28" 11" < 10' 17" 6" < 10' 22" 9" < 14' 20" 8" 14' < 14' 26" 11" < 18' 23" 9" < 18' 30" 12" < 10' 19" 7" < 10' 24" 9" < 14' 22" 9" 16' < 14' 28" 12" < 18' 25" 10" < 18' 32" 13" < 10' 25" 10" 18' < 14' 30" 12" < 18' 34" 14" 1. Square footings are permitted to have widths 2 less than the given diameter of round footings. 2. Assumes 1,500 psf soil bearing capacity. 3. Assumes 2,500 psi compressive strength of concrete. Coordinate footing thickness with post base and anchor requirements. 3
Typical Footing Options Concrete Footings must meet the minimum required foundation requirements. Decks to support a future roof must have a continuous footing meeting the minimum requirements of IRC R403.1. Additional foundation will be required if an enclosure is to be placed on the deck at a later date. 4
Precast concrete deck footing blocks sold at home improvement stores DO NOT meet the code requirement for deck footings when attached to a dwelling unit. 5
C. Framing All fasteners for pressured preservative shall be of hot-dipped galvanized steel, stainless steel, and silicon bronze or copper except for ½ inches diameter or greater steel bolts. (IRC 2006 R319.3) Post-to-Beam Attachment Alternate Approved Post-to-Beam Post Cap Attachment Prohibited Post-to-Beam Attachment Condition 6
Maximum Joist Spans (L J ) 1 Joist Spacing (o.c.) Species Size 12" 16" 24" 2x8 10' - 6" 10' - 6" 10' - 2" Southern Pine 2x10 15' - 2" 15' - 2" 13' - 1" 2x12 18' - 0" 18' - 0" 15' - 5" 2x8 9' - 3" 9' - 3" 9' - 1" Douglas Fir-Larch, Hem-Fir, SPF 2 2x10 13' - 4" 13' - 4" 11' - 1" 2x12 17' - 10" 15' - 9" 12' - 10" Redwood, Western Cedars, Ponderosa Pine 3, Red Pine 3 2x8 8' - 4" 8' - 4" 8' - 4" 2x10 12' - 0" 12' - 0" 10' - 7" 2x12 16' - 1" 15' - 1" 12' - 3" 1. Assumes 40 psf live load, 10 psf dead load, L/180 cantilever deflection with 230lb point load, No. 2 grade, and wet service conditions. See span calculator at www.awc.org for simple span conditions without cantilevers. 2. Incising assumed for refractory species including Douglas fir-larch, hem-fir, and spruce-pine-fir. 3. Design values based on northern species with no incising assumed. Deck Stability Decks greater than 2 feet above grade shall be provided with diagonal bracing. Decks attached to the house do not require diagonal bracing perpendicular to the house 7
Deck Beam Spans (L B ) 1 Species Southern Pine Douglas Fir-Larch2, Hem-Fir2, SPF2, Redwood, Western Cedars, Ponderosa Pine3, Red Pine3 Joist Spans (L J ) Less Than or Equal to: Size 6' 8' 10' 12' 14' 16' 18' 2-2x6 7' - 1" 6' - 2" 5' - 6" 5' - 0" 4' - 8" 4' - 4" 4' - 1" 2-2x8 9' - 2" 7' - 11" 7' - 1" 6' - 6" 6' - 0" 5' - 7" 5' - 3" 2-2x10 11' - 10" 10' - 3" 9' - 2" 8' - 5" 7' - 9" 7' - 3" 6' - 10" 2-2x12 13' - 11" 12' - 0" 10' - 9" 9' - 10" 9' - 1" 8' - 6" 8' - 0" 3-2x6 8' - 7" 7' - 8" 6' - 11" 6' - 3" 5' - 10" 5' - 5" 5' - 2" 3-2x8 11' - 4" 9' - 11" 8' - 11" 8' - 1" 7' - 6" 7' - 0" 6' - 7" 3-2x10 14' - 5" 12' - 10" 11' - 6" 10' - 6" 9' - 9" 9' - 1" 8' - 7" 3-2x12 17' - 5" 15' - 1" 13' - 6" 12' - 4" 11' - 5" 10' - 8" 10' - 1" 3x6 or 2-2x6 5' - 5" 4' - 8" 4' - 2" 3' - 10" 3' - 6" 3' - 1" 2' - 9" 3x8 or 2-2x8 6' - 10" 5' - 11" 5' - 4" 4' - 10" 4' - 6" 4' - 1" 3' - 8" 3x10 or 2-2x10 8' - 4" 7' - 3" 6' - 6" 5' - 11" 5' - 6" 5' - 2" 4' - 10" 3x12 or 2-2x12 9' - 8" 8' - 5" 7' - 6" 6' - 10" 6' - 4" 5' - 11" 5' - 7" 4x6 6' - 5" 5' - 6" 4' - 11" 4' - 6" 4' - 2" 3' - 11" 3' - 8" 4x8 8' - 5" 7' - 3" 6' - 6" 5' - 11" 5' - 6" 5' - 2" 4' - 10" 4x10 9' - 11" 8' - 7" 7' - 8" 7' - 0" 6' - 6" 6' - 1" 5' - 8" 4x12 11' - 5" 9' - 11" 8' - 10" 8' - 1" 7' - 6" 7' - 0" 6' - 7" 3-2x6 7' - 4" 6' - 8" 6' - 0" 5' - 6" 5' - 1" 4' - 9" 4' - 6" 3-2x8 9' - 8" 8' - 6" 7' - 7" 6' - 11" 6' - 5" 6' - 0" 5' - 8" 3-2x10 12' - 0" 10' - 5" 9' - 4" 8' - 6" 7' - 10" 7' - 4" 6' - 11" 3-2x12 13' - 11" 12' - 1" 10' - 9" 9' - 10" 9' - 1" 8' - 6" 8' - 1" 1. Assumes 40 psf live load, 10psf dead load, L/360 simple span beam deflection limit, L/180 cantilever deflection limit, No. 2 grade, and wet service conditions. 2. Incising assumed for refractory species including Douglas fir-larch, hem-fir, and spruce-pine-fir. 3. Design values based on northern species with no incising assumed. 8
D. Connection to existing structures Where supported by attachment to an exterior wall, decks shall be positively anchored to the primary structure and designed for both vertical and lateral loads as applicable. Such attachment shall not be accomplished by the use of toenails or nails subject to withdrawal. Decks shall be self-supporting when positive connection to the primary building structure cannot be verified during the inspection. For decks with cantilevered framing members, connections to exterior walls or other framing members, shall be designed and constructed to resist uplift resulting from the full live load specified in Table R301.5 acting on the cantilevered portion of the deck. (IRC 2006 R502.2.2) Deck ledger connection to band joist shall meet total design load of 50 psf, the connection between a pressure preservative treated deck ledger and 2 inches nominal band joist bearing on a sill plate or wall plate shall be constructed with ½ inches lag screw or bolts with washers. Placement of lag screw or bolts shall be placed 2 inches in from the bottom or top of the deck ledger and 2 inches from the ends. Lag screws or bolts shall be staggered from the top to the bottom along the horizontal run of the deck ledger. USBC Section/Table R502.2.2.1 DO NOT ATTACH DECK RIM JOIST TO BRICK VENEERS. VERIFY THIS CONDITION IN THE FIELD PRIOR TO APPLICATION. TABLE R502.2.2.1 FASTENER SPACING FOR A RESIDENTIAL SOUTHERN PINE DECK LEDGER AND A 2-INCH NOMINAL SOLID-SAWN BAND JOIST (50 PSF TOTAL LOAD) C Joist Span (ft): 6' and less 6'-1" to 8' 8'-1" to 10' 10'-1" to 12' 12'-1" to 14' 14'-1" to 16' 16'-1" to 18' On-Center Spacing of Fasteners d,e 1/2" x 4" Lag Screw a,b 30 23 18 15 13 11 10 1/2" Bolt with washers 36 36 34 29 24 21 19 a. The maximum gap between the face of the ledger board and face of the house band joist shall be 1/2 inch b. The tip of the lag screw shall fully extend beyond the inside face of the band joist. c. Ledgers shall be flashed to prevent water from contacting the house band joist. d. Lag screws and bolts shall be staggered as set out in Section R502.2.2.1.1. e. Deck ledger shall be 2x8 PPT No. 2 Southern Pine (minimum) or other approved method and material as established by standard engineering practice. 9
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G. Handrail Guidelines as per Section R311.5.6.3 H. Final Inspections In accordance with Section 113 of the USBC, final inspection approval is required upon completion of a structure and prior to use or occupancy of said structure. 12
Maximum Joist Spans: Joist Spacing (o.c.) Species Southern Pine Douglas Fir-Larch, Hem-Fir, SPF 2 Redwood, Western Cedars, Ponderosa Pine 3, Red Pine 3 Size 12" 16" 24" 2x8 10' - 6" 10' - 6" 10' - 2" 2x10 15' - 2" 15' - 2" 13' - 1" 2x12 18' - 0" 18' - 0" 15' - 5" 2x8 9' - 3" 9' - 3" 9' - 1" 2x10 13' - 4" 13' - 4" 11' - 1" 2x12 17' - 10" 15' - 9" 12' - 10" 2x8 8' - 4" 8' - 4" 8' - 4" 2x10 12' - 0" 12' - 0" 10' - 7" 2x12 16' - 1" 15' - 1" 12' - 3" Deck Beam/Girder Spans: Species Southern Pine Douglas Fir-Larch2, Hem -Fir2, SPF2, Redwood, Western Cedars, Ponderosa Pine3, Red Pine3 Joist Spans (L J ) Less Than or Equal to: Size 6' 8' 10' 12' 14' 16' 18' 2-2x6 7' - 1" 6' - 2" 5' - 6" 5' - 0" 4' - 8" 4' - 4" 4' - 1" 2-2x8 9' - 2" 7' - 11" 7' - 1" 6' - 6" 6' - 0" 5' - 7" 5' - 3" 2-2x10 11' - 10" 10' - 3" 9' - 2" 8' - 5" 7' - 9" 7' - 3" 6' - 10" 2-2x12 13' - 11" 12' - 0" 10' - 9" 9' - 10" 9' - 1" 8' - 6" 8' - 0" 3-2x6 8' - 7" 7' - 8" 6' - 11" 6' - 3" 5' - 10" 5' - 5" 5' - 2" 3-2x8 11' - 4" 9' - 11" 8' - 11" 8' - 1" 7' - 6" 7' - 0" 6' - 7" 3-2x10 14' - 5" 12' - 10" 11' - 6" 10' - 6" 9' - 9" 9' - 1" 8' - 7" 3-2x12 17' - 5" 15' - 1" 13' - 6" 12' - 4" 11' - 5" 10' - 8" 10' - 1" 3x6 or 2-2x6 5' - 5" 4' - 8" 4' - 2" 3' - 10" 3' - 6" 3' - 1" 2' - 9" 3x8 or 2-2x8 6' - 10" 5' - 11" 5' - 4" 4' - 10" 4' - 6" 4' - 1" 3' - 8" 3x10 or 2-2x10 8' - 4" 7' - 3" 6' - 6" 5' - 11" 5' - 6" 5' - 2" 4' - 10" 3x12 or 2-2x12 9' - 8" 8' - 5" 7' - 6" 6' - 10" 6' - 4" 5' - 11" 5' - 7" 4x6 6' - 5" 5' - 6" 4' - 11" 4' - 6" 4' - 2" 3' - 11" 3' - 8" 4x8 8' - 5" 7' - 3" 6' - 6" 5' - 11" 5' - 6" 5' - 2" 4' - 10" 4x10 9' - 11" 8' - 7" 7' - 8" 7' - 0" 6' - 6" 6' - 1" 5' - 8" 4x12 11' - 5" 9' - 11" 8' - 10" 8' - 1" 7' - 6" 7' - 0" 6' - 7" 3-2x6 7' - 4" 6' - 8" 6' - 0" 5' - 6" 5' - 1" 4' - 9" 4' - 6" 3-2x8 9' - 8" 8' - 6" 7' - 7" 6' - 11" 6' - 5" 6' - 0" 5' - 8" 3-2x10 12' - 0" 10' - 5" 9' - 4" 8' - 6" 7' - 10" 7' - 4" 6' - 11" 3-2x12 13' - 11" 12' - 1" 10' - 9" 9' - 10" 9' - 1" 8' - 6" 8' - 1" 13