Updated October 28, 2026
Each city sets its own rules, and they change. Most of the cities below mention decks about 30 inches or more above the ground; some also mention decks attached to the house, decks that serve an exit door, or decks over 200 square feet. Below is what each city’s building department says in its own words, with a link so you can check the current version. Always call your city to confirm before you build.
The short answer
Utah builds homes to the 2021 International Residential Code, and the city or county building department decides when a deck needs a permit, a plan review and inspections. Height above the ground comes up in almost every handout below, but the exact conditions differ from city to city, so read your city’s own words.
What each city says
Layton
“Building permits are required for all decks that are attached to the home or are 30 inches or more above grade.” The handout’s next sentence: “Decks and platforms not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade do not require a building permit.”
Layton deck requirements handout (handout marked “Revised 4/07”) · Layton Building Division
Kaysville
The deck checklist says: “Any deck over 200 square feet or over 30 inches high will need to be permitted”. The city’s permit page lists under “Does not require a permit”: “Decks less than 30 inches”. (The two differ — ask the city.)
Kaysville deck checklist · Kaysville building permits
Farmington
“Permits are required for new construction, additions, decks, garages, renovations…”
Farmington Building Department
Syracuse
Lists “Decks over 30” above grade with or without covers” under work that requires a building permit
Syracuse “Do I Need a Building Permit?”
Clearfield
Lists “Decks over 30” above grade with or without covers” as needing a permit
Clearfield “When Do I Need a Building Permit?”
Roy
“Building permits are required for all decks that are attached to the home, and are 30 inches or more above grade and that serve either the primary exit door or other exits.” The handout also says decks “less than 200 sq. ft., less than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not attached to the house, and do not serve the primary means of egress, do not require a building permit.”
Roy residential deck permit information (“Revised, May 2024”)
Logan
Lists as exempt from a permit: “Decks not exceeding 200 sq. ft. in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4.”
Logan “When Is a Building Permit Required” (2016 handout)
Centerville
Lists decks among the permit types it reviews: “…accessory buildings, decks, garages, basements, pools…”
Centerville building and renovating
Ogden
No deck-specific handout found online — call the building division.
Ogden building permits and inspections
Bountiful
No deck-specific handout found online — call the building division.
North Ogden
No deck-specific handout found online.
Brigham City
Check the city’s permit page.
Brigham City permits and inspections
Unincorporated Davis / Weber / Cache / Box Elder
County building departments
Davis · Weber · Cache · Box Elder
Some of these handouts are years old (Layton’s says 2007, Logan’s 2016). Treat them as a starting point and call the city to confirm.
What the city handouts mention
- Some cities mention height: about 30 inches or more above the ground.
- Some mention decks attached to the house (by a ledger board) — see why ledger connections matter.
- Some mention decks that serve an exit door.
- Some mention size: 200 square feet.
- Separate from the city: many neighborhoods also require HOA approval.
Planning a deck in one of these cities?
See local work in Layton, Ogden, Roy, Kaysville and Farmington, Syracuse, Clearfield, Bountiful, Logan and Brigham City, or request a free quote.
This guide quotes city websites as of October 28, 2026. It is not legal advice; the city’s current rules control.