Deck permit in Lewisville, TX
It depends — some deck work in Lewisville needs a permit, some doesn't.
A deck needs a permit unless it meets all of these limits: 200 square feet or less in area, no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to the house, and it does not serve a required exit door. A deck that stays within all four limits is exempt; a larger, higher, or attached deck, or one at an exit door, needs a permit.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 200 sq ft |
| Fee | Fees are set by the city fee schedule (Sec. 2-201). |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC R105.2 |
| Based on | IRC 2021 as amended (Sec. 4-31, 4-32) - adopted by reference |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Lewisville building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
If you start work before getting the permit, the city adds an investigation fee equal to the permit fee, on top of the permit fee (Sec. 4-33 / 109.4).
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewisville | — | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Plano | 13 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Richardson | 16 mi | Depends | Over 2.5 ft tall |
| Allen | 18 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| McKinney | 21 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Mesquite | 30 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in Lewisville
Questions people ask
My deck is right at the limit. Does that count?
The exemption has to fit exactly — if the code says a size or height, being at or under it keeps you exempt, and going a single inch over doesn't. When you're close to the line, measure before you buy materials, and call the department if the number is borderline.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Lewisville can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.