Neighbors should mind there own business

[Think]

I can't believe how silly this entire situation has become.

Me and my family have lived in this small community for 6 years and finally decided to build a deck in our backyard. Well, my neighbor called in the city troops and the inspector indicated that we required a permit.

So, I went over to the permit office and requested a permit. They told me that I cannot build a deck because of the set back regulations on your back yard!. As a matter of fact, the set back suggest that the only deck I can build would only be 2ft out of my back wall!!:drinky:

I inquired as to how my neighbor was able to build his 20ft deck and they told me "because it's not attached to the house":confused:

WHAT!?! His deck is huge and it sits on these massive cement pillars and I-beams, set back about 1" from his wall!!.

So, I have to decide if I should re-design my deck away from my home ( I don't like the idea because it involves more material cost and a terrible eye sore of cross bracing and more pillar supports ). Considering the deck will be 8ft above ground, I would prefer it being attached to the home.

My neighbor is a total Neanderthal to all of us in on our street. He's the type of guy that would yell at us as kids when a ball when on his lawn.

Thanks for allowing me to rant:)

[Player0]

I used to build decks with my father in the summers, so I've been to lots of town meetings. You likely need a permit for any structure attached to the house. That is probably how your neighbor got away with it.

You can build a deck right up against the house as long as it's not supported by the house. That is, your not pulling sidding off and lag bolting to the house itself. You need to basically build a free standing structure, BUT...it can be right off the house, and you can build a sill plate. You will simply have posts running down the back of your house to support that part of the deck, and then whatever cross bracing.

I've built a couple decks like that which attached to the second story of say a ranch, which is what it sounds like your doing. Tall decks like that tend to look a bit raunchy because of all the cross bracing needed. Beleive me, some of those decks are SCARY to build, swaying in the wind :)

You have some red tape to traul through. Talk to some engineers in the town, but who dont work FOR the town. They will certainly be able to give you valuable information regarding what you can and cant do, and might be able to give you names of people who can help you out getting the permits. It might cost you some money to consult an engineer, but they can be really helpful.

[lechumbl]

Hi Think,

Unfortunately, the world is full of a$$holes and idiots.
I am not sure which there are more of.

Take care, and hang in there..........

[ralf_c]

hi think

i think the best way to solve the proble is like you already mentioned, build it deattached from your home. one think you must take in consideration is that you must supply very strong support from the ground like your neighbor did

[Jokester]

some people eh?

why would it affect them if you build a deck or not! :confused:

good thing i live out of town i can shoot of my big porch if i want :D

(although i dont have high speed internet :mad: )

[Synthohol]

oh boy the crap i went through for my deck and pool. yes towns suck mine had to be less than 30% of the lot size, 50' from street, 10 feet from neighbor and i had to dig 9 holes 12"wide 4' deep for concrete tubes for deck support. even though its bolted to sill plate on house i needed 3 posts 1 foot from the foundation.
a brief glimpse of building a deck 16x16.

[Synthohol]

oops.. please delete this someone

[Think]

Thanks for the support and input fellow ninjas:)

Well, most of my neighbors ( except the Neanderthal ) found out what is happening and are fully supportive of any decision that I will undertake.

One of my neighbors friends will be coming by this weekend and help design a free standing deck for a case of beer:D ; he's an engineer of some sort and can't stand the committee of adjustments!

Here's hoping:(

Thanks again:cool3:

[Farabomb]

Make sure you get the plans before you give up the case of brew. You could end up with one cock-eyed deck if not. ;)

Glad it seems that you have it sorted. Just hope darvin theory removes that Neanderthal from the gene pool before he does more damage. :)

[Think]

Glad it seems that you have it sorted. Just hope darvin theory removes that Neanderthal from the gene pool before he does more damage

:bashing:

Here's hoping:D