Do I need a permit for a pergola?
When most people ask us, “Do I need a permit for a pergola?” the answer is generally no — and they are in the clear to bring home this trending outdoor living accessory. However, even though chances are good that you won’t need a permit, you should absolutely place a call to your township office to find out for certain.
What is a pergola?
A pergola is an outdoor, wooden structure with columns supporting a grid of beams and rafters. You’ll often find pergolas in backyards. The often flat grid can be covered or left open and the structure may be freestanding or attached to the house.
Can you put an aluminum pergola on a roof?
Most pergolas are made from wood, but aluminum is an attractive, cost-effective alternative. Aluminum patio covers often have their own code requirements that differ from wooden structures, so be sure to check permit rules closely. Also, look for differences between requirements for enclosed roof patio covers and those with open air beams.
How do I get a pergola for my backyard?
The first call should be to your township office to get the official ruling on the pergola code requirements. After that, get in touch with The Backyard Showcase to start designing your dream-come-true backyard pergola!
Do you need permission to build a pergola?
As pergolas are usually permanent structures, permits will be needed to cover any necessary work. If you hire a contractor, they will most likely handle permit approval for your outdoor living or dining space, whether residential or commercial.
How high can I build a pergola?
How Tall Is A Standard Pergola? The standard pergola height is 8 to 12 feet. But that doesn't always have to be the case. For example, if you want an 8-foot head clearance, the beams will take it up to 9 feet at least, and then the rafters will total 10-feet easy.
Can a pergola be too big?
Making sure that pergola is a good fit for the space is important, though. If your pergola is undersized for your needs, you'll have trouble arranging your furniture in the pergola's shade. On the other hand, if your pergola is too big for your deck or patio, it'll end up dwarfing the rest of your outdoor living space.
How close to boundary can a pergola be?
How close can I build a pergola to a boundary fence? According to the NSW government development standards, the pergola should be located behind the building line and at least 5m away from the boundary fence and up to 9m in other areas.
How big can a pergola be?
Commonly pergolas can run anywhere from 8 feet by 8 feet, to 20 feet by 20 feet. That gives a large range of options, especially since they do not even need to be squares if that is not the desired aesthetic.
Can I put a roof on my pergola?
A roof can easily be added to almost all styles of pergolas. There are many prebuilt and building plan pergola styles that already come with roofs added to them or you can simply add a roof to your existing pergola. In addition to DIY options, construction companies can be hired to roof your pergola for you.
What is the longest span for a pergola?
Although it depends on the species and grade of wood. As per thumb rule, for a pergola beam, 2″×12″ size timber you can span it upto 20 feet, 2×10 can span upto 16 feet, 2×8 can span upto 12 feet, 2×6 can span upto 10 feet and 2×4 can span upto 6 feet.
How big should an outdoor pergola be?
A 10×14 pergola is a great choice for creating an outdoor dining area, with enough room to fit a rectangle outdoor dining table and chairs. It also works if you only want shade on part of your outdoor living space, say next to a pool or deck.
How high can a gazebo be without planning permission?
Maximum height of 2.5 metres in the case of a building, enclosure or container within two metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse.No verandas, balconies or raised platforms. No more than half the area of land around the "original house"* would be covered by additions or other buildings.
How close can I build to my Neighbours boundary?
As a rule of thumb, a build that reaches 7.2 feet is considered acceptable and anything over that we do recommend speaking to your neighbour.
How close can I build next to my Neighbours fence?
In most areas, fences can be installed between 2-8 inches from the boundary line. However, some areas may allow you to build right up to the property line.
Are 4x4 posts strong enough for pergola?
Support Posts For a very small pergola with only 4 to 6 feet between posts, 4×4 supports will work. For anything larger, though, the 6×6 stock will not only offer a beefier look and greater carrying capacity, but 6×6 also resists the twisting associated with the more spindly 4x4s.
Why do you need a permit for a pergola?
This type of permit is useful because it will allow you to look into the pergola’s budgeting, layout, and design.
How much does it cost to build a pergola?
The cost to build a pergola usually ranges between $2,200 and $5,900, but the average cost is about $4,000. If the pergola is a simple design, it can cost as little as $1,300. If you choose a more custom design, it can cost as much as $10,000.
What is a pergola?
A pergola is an outdoor, wooden structure with columns supporting a grid of beams and rafters. You’ll often find pergolas in backyards.
What to include in a pergola plan?
Be prepared with the plans for your pergola. The plans should contain the design, materials, measurements, location, and anything else you plan to include in the project.
What happens if you don't have a permit?
When a government office finds out that you don’t have a permit, you can get in a lot of trouble. If you don’t obtain the necessary permits before starting a project that requires one, you will receive a fine. Plus, even if you don’t get caught during the project, you can still get in trouble later.
What is the purpose of a permit?
The purpose of these permits is to make sure projects are completed safely, especially if they’re of greater risk than others.
Do you need documentation for a pergola?
You should also have proper documentation of the project and pictures to show what the completed project will look like. The more clear you are about the plans for your pergola, the more likely the officials will understand. A determining factor for the approval of your pergola is whether or not it’s attached to an outside wall of your house.
Stay Legal
In most cases, a pergola will be a freestanding structure on your property. Small homeowners may desire a pergola in their backyard or the front of their property. Owners of an apartment complex may want a pergola over the entrance of a building or on a rooftop.
Be Prepared
There are lots of benefits of having a pergola in your garden. It would be frustrating if you had to halt working on your pergola because of a lack of a permit. Also, a property or business owner may risk incurring extra costs if a pergola must be removed, re-installed, or isn’t up to code.
Secure A Permit
Before building a pergola, always check to make sure if a permit is needed for your outdoor living project. In some cases, it is vital to submit building plans to your local county, city, or town that a certified engineer vets.
Building Codes
It is better to be safe than sorry and get a permit before building a pergola. Know before you start construction. Visit or call your local building inspector or local government agency with any questions or concerns. Pergolas often have an open roof style. However, trending pergolas may have a retractable roof.
Conclusion
Breaking ground on a new construction project is always an exciting venture. Outdoor living spaces are trending and resilient structures that raises the aesthetic value of a property.
Do I need a permit for a pergola?
When most people ask us, “Do I need a permit for a pergola?” the answer is generally no — and they are in the clear to bring home this trending outdoor living accessory. However, even though chances are good that you won’t need a permit, you should absolutely place a call to your township office to find out for certain. In addition to confirming with your township, you need to check with your homeowner’s association if your home is a part of one. In fact, we’ve actually seen that homeowner’s associations have stricter requirements than townships. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that pergola code requirements are rare, and when they are in place it is for a good reason.
Do hurricane zones require pergolas?
From what we’ve seen, townships located in hurricane zones are likely to have pergola code requirements that your piece needs to meet. In addition, backyard pavilions are a bit more likely than pergolas to require a permit — based on our experience.
