Floating deck concept?

[barmanjay]

Call the city

If its attached to the house, you will likely need a permit

over 2' will require a railing, including the stairs

I do reccommend concrete pilings with a bracket.

Digging a hole and just sinking the 4x4 in is a good idea too,.. but over time the 4x4 will rot and will need to be replaced.

it's easier to just unbolt from a bracket than dig up old concrete

typically that is how you would do fence posts

Before you get holes dug for the pilings, have enmax and atco come out and mark their undeground lines. don't think you would be happy (or alive) if you hit one of those.

If you just place cocrete pads and baseblocks for a "floating" deck, it will shift over time. Perfect for the temporary deck, but at 2' high that requires a railing,.. I would not suggest this route.

I'm' pretty sure there may be some guidelines to these types of decks, call the city and be sure.

[Heff]

http://www.calgary.ca/portal/server..../Deck/Deck.htm


Deck

Development & Building Approvals / Land Use Planning & Policy

A Building Permit is required for the construction of a wood deck where the deck is more than 600 mm (approx 2 ft) above grade at any point. Depending on the height and size of the deck and the community in which you live, you may also require a Development Permit prior to obtaining your building permit.

For more information, please contact the Planning Services Support Centre at 403-268-5311.
Definition

A deck is:

*
an uncovered horizontal structure, with a surface height greater than 600 mm (approx 2 ft) above grade at any point, but no higher than the first storey floor level;
*
supported by any type of foundation system and may or may not be attached to the house; and
*
more than 2.2 square metres (approx 23.6 sq ft) in area.

Decks constructed of materials other than wood may require the signature and seal of a Professional Engineer licensed to practice in the province of Alberta.
Call Before You Dig!

Always remember to call Alberta One Call External Site. at 1-800-242-3447 before you dig. For more information on this service or to submit a locate request, visit their Web site.
Warning

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the work being carried out does not contravene the requirements of restrictive covenants, caveats, or any other restrictions that are registered against the property.