Deck permit in Plano, TX
It depends — some deck work in Plano needs a permit, some doesn't.
A small ground-level deck can skip the permit, but only if it meets every limit at once: no more than 200 square feet, no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to the house or townhouse, and not serving a required exit door. Miss any one of those and you need a permit. Most raised or attached decks need one.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 200 sq ft |
| Fee | You pay the permit fee set in the City of Plano building inspections fee schedule adopted by the city council. The ordinance does not print a dollar amount. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC Section R105.2 as amended (Sec. 6-710), Building item 10 |
| Based on | IRC 2024 as adopted and amended by the city (Sec. 6-709, Ord. No. 2025-6-15) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Plano 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
Building without a required permit is a violation, and every day it continues counts as a separate offense.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plano | — | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Richardson | 6 mi | Depends | Over 2.5 ft tall |
| Allen | 6 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| McKinney | 11 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Lewisville | 13 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Mesquite | 22 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in Plano
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?
Plano 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.