(Sonoma County Ordinance), 7.13 Provide a minimum 18 inch by 24 inch foundation access through floors or a 16 inch by 24 inch foundation access through perimeter walls within 5 feet of all plumbing cleanouts. Any analysis of what load a structure may bear upon itself and its foundation must involve thesupport post networkandsoil bearing capacity. Deck stairs use framing members called stringers, we use a double exterior construction with the stringer and larger skirt attached to that. One opening shall be placed within 3 feet of each building corner. If these setbacks cannot be met, a geotechnical report justifying soil characteristics and suitability of the proposed building site shall be provided. See Section R302.13 of the CRC for exceptions. Decks (deck surfaces, stair treads/risers, porches, and balconies): Specify heavy timber (minimum 3 nominal thickness) OR exterior fire-treated wood OR non-combustible materials OR ignition resistant meeting SFM 12-7-A, parts A and B OR material that passes the SFM 12- 7-A (Part A only) and the Design / Build, Website Design by Owner BMPs). Decks not connected to ledger need not have footings extending below frost line. 1.8 Cross Sections: Provide sections through building showing structural elements, and other sections as needed, including earth to wood clearances, floor to ceiling heights, roof slopes, etc. Locate upper bolts at least 2 "below the top edge of ledger. viii Learn more about how much to put on a deck psf at Decks.com. contour lines. (R502.10). Chapter 7, Article IIof Sonoma County's Municipal Code outlines Building Regulations for the unincorporated area of this county. The third party CALGreen special inspector shall also achieve the field verification of the required CALGreen elements during the construction and inspection process. 11.3 Where ceiling joists or rafter ties are not provided trusses shall be used or engineering shall be provided. We for example don't use 24" from joist to joist but 16" and under a hot tub we go to 12". Great discussions about using the Deck Foot Anchor. Building Permit with Plan Check to Permit Issuance. (CalGreen 301.1.1). Find out exactly how many balusters or pickets you need with a single click. 2035) Chapter 7. Permit Sonoma's Online Permitting Tool. chief building official and budget county funds to the building and safety division, as it may deem necessary for the operation of the division. without breaking apart, it probably has a substantial percentage of clay. 8.3 Horizontal reinforcing at footing and stem wall: one number 4 rebar within top 12 inches of stem wall and one number 4 rebar 3 to 4 inches from bottom of footing (R403.1.3.1), 8.4 When the stem wall and footing are not poured monolithically, a number 4 rebar shall be installed vertically at not more than 4 feet on center. AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SONOMA, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING DATABASE OF THE COUNTY OF SONOMA, ADOPTED BY REFERENCE BY SECTION 26-02-110 OF THE SONOMA COUNTY CODE, BY RECLASSIFYING CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY FROM LC LG/GE1 RC 50 SR DISTRICT (S) TO THE K LG/GE1 RC . When you invest in a deck you want to know it will last. We've tried to summarize them and put them all together for you. How to Build a Deck in HOA Community. The map represents the USGS contour intervals of spectral response acceleration and determines the required amount of wall bracing for structures within specified geographical areas within Sonoma County. 10.2 Balloon frame gable end walls or provide soft wall bracing detail. (Ord. Always refer to your local building codes or a structural engineer this is how we build our decks, Deckfooting & piersizing for California, Deck connections for California's #4 earthquake zone. Depending on location, this authority could include the fire marshal, building inspector, accessibility reviewer, and several other groups or agencies. Width and length of landings shall be not less than the width of the stairway served. (R703.2) Provide 2 layers of Grade D paper, or equivalent, between wood sheathing and stucco lath. Article II. 18.12 Allowable Glazing Materials. Search Existing Permits. The above table for footings is from the deck prescriptive based on the 2009 IRC being adopted by most building depts. In addition, the minimum balustrade height is 42 inches. It's like hanging around the office watercooler. Locate end bolts neither less than 3.5 inches nor more than 12 inches from ends of sill members. The IBC requires 42" high guardrails. The IBC code for structural design has some very specific requirements for deck stairs: Stair rails on decks should be between 34 inches and 38 inches high, measured vertically from the nose of the tread to the top of the rail. California is the one exception where they Require 42 "guards. Run shall be 10 inches minimum. Decks building codes - Footings - IRC & IBC IRC R403 & IBC 1805 Footings Footings shall be supported on undisturbed natural soils or engineered fill. Garage to dwelling unit separation is not a rated firewall. Input your elevation change and this will figure out your rises and runs, Maximum 36 "oc solid stringer spacing for 2" thick treads, Maximum 18 "oc notched stringer spacing for 2" or 5/4 "thick treads, Maximum nosing of 0.75 "to 1.25" - maximum nosing radius of 9/16 ", Closed risers: minimal nominal 1" thick riser material, Handrails must not project inwards more than 4.5" on either side of stairway. HEIGHT DIAGRAMS: US and Canada. In Sonoma county, the building permit for a single family residence of 2000 square feet with a 2 car garage is $50,000. 9.2 Joists under and parallel to bearing partitions shall be doubled. Locate and note size and spacing of anchor bolts, straps and tie downs on plan. Decks under 30": Wetypically use a 8" dia x 8" thick footing with 4x4 P.T. Carports with no enclosed uses above do not require protection. (a) The chief building official shall be the building official referred to in the codes Openings shall be covered with a covering having openings no greater than inch. All CALGreen required details and specifications shall be reflected in the applicable project plans. If they applied the standards to existing buildings, 90% of them would be out of compliance. They apply to all one and two-family dwellings and their accessory structures as defined by CRC R202. Inspectors have voice mail if you are unable to reach them in the office. - Local appeals board and housing appeals board. With some types of siding we'll add a waterproof membrane and flashing to redirect the moisture. 55 11 99270-9895 [email . 17-9 Wood Deck Construction 17-9 Glass and Glazing. We also solid block our decks which make them even more rigid. When built on a steeper slopes we take even more precautions for the forces on the bracing using steel rods bolted through the posts. Flood zone (Sonoma County Code 7B), waterways, creeks, etc. (R403.1.3.1), 8.5 Stepped footings shall be used when slope of footing bottom is greater than 10:1 (H:V). 3000 LB/sq.ft. Deck Railing Codes (Table R602.3(5)) Exterior and interior studs shall be continuous floor to roof unless braced to ceiling. During your planning stage, dont forget to consider the spacing for your beams. Building Permit with Plan Check to Permit IssuanceView how long it took from application submission, to first review comments, to permit issuance during the previous month. (R 403.1.6) Provide minimum 3 inch by 3 inch by 0.229 inch plate washers on each bolt. 7.7 Showers and tubs with showers require a non-absorbent surface up to 72 inches above the floor. Wildland Urban Interface Code (2016 Title 24, Part 2, Chapter 7A California Building Code) aka: WUI Code 1. Dimension front, side and rear distances to property lines and between structures. (R507.3.1), 3.10 Lateral restraint of deck posts at footings shall be provided by manufactured connectors or a minimum post embedment of 12 inches in surrounding soils or concrete piers. Attachment methods vary depending on the style of stairs but this is a very common and reliable technique. To ensure your design meets code, confer with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) over your project. What you will notice from this checklist is that there is not really a specific deck building code per se. 2.6 Attic ventilation: 1/150 of attic area. Building & Construction, How to Cut & Install We put time and effort into building a deck you can enjoy (R303.10). Popularity: #1 of 3 Building Departments in Santa Rosa #1 of 12 Building Departments in Sonoma County #32 of 493 Building Departments in California #761 in Building Departments Sonoma County Planning Department Contact Information Welive in the beautiful wine country of Northern California, it just doesn't get much better than this. Before you can use the Deck Post Size Table in a meaningful way you have to understand the loads that your deck must withstand. "Building Code" means the County Building Code as set forth in Chapter 7 of the Sonoma County Code. Include the size, spacing and grade of all members. 11.4 Solid block all rafters and trusses at exterior walls. but theycan vary so check your jurisdiction. 2.3 Bathrooms, water closet compartments and similar rooms shall have window at least 3 square feet in area, half of which must be openable, or mechanical ventilation must be provided. (R802.8) Nail blocking to top plate with (3) 8d toe nails per block or provide clips. Note typical finishes; call out insulation type and value. (R403.1.7), 8.8 Anchor bolts shall be minimum inch by 10 inches placed at 6 foot on center maximum. Trim | Cabinets | Mantels, Deck Contractor We always use steel that is has two coats of zinc for the extra protection needed and our deck screws are anodized or in some cases stainless steel. (R802.2). (R314.3), 6.9 When more than one smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm is required, the alarm devices shall be interconnected. All Rights Reserved. 13.4 When a parcel is located in a State Responsibility Area (SRA), all new construction shall comply with the applicable fire resistant construction requirements of CRC Section R337. For projects that require building plans. (R507.4.1), 3.11 Provide detail at junction of exterior decking, wall and interior floor framing. Primary roof drains shall be designed based on a 60 minute storm with a 100 year return period, per Table D of the CPC. So we have lots of help for you to learn how deep to dig, how large a footing should be based on load and soil capacity, how to connect hardware to the pier AND we talk about floating or free standing decks. 2004-2022 Decksgo.com. Make sure your project does not extend into those areas. (R307.2). Decks 24 "to 5-10" (180 cm) need 36 "guards and anything above 5-10" requires a 42 "high railing. A variance is a rarity. Learn more about building near a septic tank at Decks.com. (R315.2; R315.3), 6.12 All 120 volt, 15 and 20 ampere branch circuits in dwelling units except those in bathrooms, unfinished basements, garages and outdoors shall have AFCI protection. 1.3 Floor Plan: Show all proposed building dimensions (outside wall dimensions) and label use of each room, cross reference locations and sizes of windows and doors to window and door schedules, show electric outlets, plumbing and heating fixtures (identify furnace size), carbon monoxide, and smoke detectors . 6399. That will show in your new deck. Sandy gravel, gravel: Gravel and sand will settle in water almost immediately. (Table R602.3) Nailing shall be inspected prior to covering. Material: HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT MATERIAL? Movable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 ft. 9 inches high. The concrete mix design shall address bleeding, shrinkage, and curling, in accordance with ACI 302.2R-06. (CMC80230). The California Building Code requires that residential guardrails have openings such that a sphere 4 inches in diameter (4 3/8 inches at stairways) cannot pass through. Check Permit Status. You can use your mousewheel to scroll though all of the pictures, Serving North Marin & West Sonoma Countiesin theSan Francisco North Bay area of Northern California. Required guards shall be not less than 42 inches above the adjacent walking surface, except that handrails may be considered as guards at stairways. Disability Access Requirements and Resources(PDF: 115kB). (R302.6), 5.2 No openings may be provided between a garage and a sleeping room. Deck ledgers shall be minimum 2x8 pressure-preservative-treated No. Solar Permits for Residential Rooftop Systems. Carbon monoxide alarms are not required in dwellings where there is no fuel-fired appliance or attached garage. Envision a town with the best qualities of turn-of-the century America, yet with the ambiance of a European countryside. 2.7 Enclosed rafter spaces shall have a minimum 1 inch space between the insulation and roof sheathing and at the location of all eave and cornice vents. ADMINISTRATION Chapter 3. Deck post size is important. New Castle County. LPG appliances shall not be installed in an above grade underfloor space or basement unless such location is provide with an approved means for removal of unburned gas (CMC 303.7.1), 7.3 Provide combustion air for all gas fired appliances. Note size, number and position of crawl space vents. Various cable rail configurations are often proposed to minimize the rail system's impact on the view from the deck. The spans of joists varies based upon several factors:joist size,spacing between joists, deckingmaterial and wood species. Deck framing shall be positively attached to building framing at a minimum of 2 locations within 24 inches of each end of the deck with hold-down tension devices having an allowable design capacity of not less than 1500 pounds each, or at a minimum of 4 locations with hold-down tension devices of not less than 750 pounds allowable design capacity. Building codes must still be followed and other permits might still apply (e.g. Especially whenbuilding on a slope here in California some areas are known for their slides. Adopted 12/13/22. The landing shall be at least as wide as the door served and 36 inches minimum length measured in the direction of travel. (CalGreen 301.1.1), 12.4 Energy code documentation shall be provided for any additions and alterations to the conditioned envelope, space-conditioning systems, or lighting systems. Below are the inspection codes for the following Building permit types: BLD - Building Permit BSR - Building Site Review DEM - Demolition Permit TEM - Temporary Utility, Construction Trailer, or Occupancy Permit Note: Green Building inspections are performed by a CALGreen Special Inspector, not a Permit Sonoma Building Inspector. Most construction, from new construction to alternations and repairs, requires abuilding permit. (CPC 603.5.7), 7.9 Safety glazing shall be required within 24 inches of a door edge or within 36 inches of a stairway, landing or ramp when the bottom edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches from the floor or walking surface. Other openings shall be equipped with solid wood or steel doors 1 3/8 inches in thickness, or 20 minute fire rated doors, equipped with self-closing or automatic-closing and self-latching device. Table R602.3(1). To find out if a Grading Permit is required, you must fill out and submit GRD-002 Grading Permit Questionnaire (PDF) if any part of the project comes into contact with the ground or soil. 812 - Rural County Road, Driveway and Private Road Intersections 815 - Rural Driveway / Roadway 816 - Rural Driveway Drainage, Ditches 818 - Rural Driveway Drainage, Valley Gutters 820 - Rural Driveway Drainage, Culverts Design 900A - Rural Typical Road Cross-Sections 900B - Urban Typical Road Cross-Sections BUILDING REGULATIONS Chapter 7A. Building Permits. Wall assemblies shall extend from the foundation to the underside of the roof sheathing, although wall assemblies need not extend through attic spaces where the ceiling is protected by not less than 5/8 inch Type X gypsum board, an attic draft stop is provided above and along the wall assembly separating the dwellings, and the structural framing supporting the ceiling is protected by not less than inch gypsum board or equivalent. Ordinance No. Where county road encroachment is necessary, a permit for same shall be first secured. Through bolts, lag screws or expansion anchors should be at least 1/2 "in diameter. 1.5 Exterior Elevations: Provide a minimum of four elevation views showing all openings, wall and roof finish materials, original and finished grades, stepped footing outline, underfloor vents and roof pitch. Openings in guards shall not exceed 4 inches. Fire resistant exterior siding 4. The WUI standards apply to new buildings of all occupancy types in SRA areas, in addition to the following:. (May still require a site plan.). Spans shall be per Tables R802.4(1) & (2) for ceiling joists and Tables R802.5.1(1) & (2) for rafters. Decks over 30": We would calculate the tributary loads (including the spa load if any from the manufacturer) and size the footingfor the soil type. A receptacle must be provided within 3 feet of bathroom sinks. officials know their territories so give them a call or check on-line. Provide adequate identifications of assumed braced wall lines for conventional bracing, and provide on the plans lateral load resisting gridlines, corresponding to the structural calculations, for engineered structures. 1.2 Site Plan: Show property lines, easements and new and existing building locations. 7-3. You can use your mousewheel to scroll though all of the pictures, Serving North Marin & West Sonoma Countiesin theSan Francisco North Bay area of Northern California, Footings recommended by the 2010deck prescriptive. 1200112028), shall retain the authority to promulgate and enforce this plumbing code and to make any changes it deems necessary if the changes meet the Uniform . (R502.7), 9.8 At floor openings where header joist span exceeds 4 feet, show double trimmer joists and headers. 13.6 Dwelling units in two-family dwellings shall be separated from each other by wall and floor assemblies having not less than a 1 hour fire-resistance rating. Design / Build. 10.7 Minimum wood structural panel sheathing nailing: 6 inches on center at edges and 12 inches on center in field. The concrete piers are the foundation for your deck. Spas would be set on a concrete pad with the same specifications as a garage slab. If a construction project is revised, for example by altering floor plans or adding additional square footage, therevisions must be reviewed and approved by Permit Sonomaprior to making those changes in the field. We prefer to use a footingto stabilize thedeckfrom settlement and use a pier with rebar to get the post connection above grade. An approved third party CALGreen special inspector shall review the proposed checklist and project plans and provide verification that all applicable mandatory and elective elements identified in the checklist have been adequately incorporated into the proposed project plans and details. Spans shall be per Tables R802.4(1) & (2) for ceiling joists and Tables R802.5.1(1) & (2) for rafters. FOOTINGS: THE FIRST STEP TO BUILDING A DECK. The stairway shall have landings at each floor, or level, of not less than 30 inches in the direction of travel and extend at least 24 inches in width at every 9.1 Floor joist size, spacing and grade shall conform to Tables R502.3.1(1 & 2); or shall be designed by a licensed professional. Accessory Group U occupancy structures located at least 50 feet from an applicable building and additions and remodels to structures originally constructed prior to July 1, 2008 are exempt from these requirements. The Titan Wood Post Anchor is a real work horse and solves a lot of problems. The city will tell you right up front what the setbacks from property lines or sidewalks are. Moistened it can't be rolled into a ball. Learn the math and how to trace out the number and size of rises and runs to cut out your stair stringer. To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Department or Agency Name(s): Permit and Resource Management Department Staff Name and Phone Number: Nathan Quarles, 565-1146 Vote Requirement: Majority Supervisorial District(s): Countywide Title: 1:30 PM - Building Code Amendments for Emergency Housing Be sure to find out - You don't want any surprises after its built. (R312). Building Permits. Sand, silty sand: Finer silt particles will take fifteen minutes to an hour to settle. Building Division Building Policies & Procedures Building Policies & Procedures Note: Some policies & procedures may reference outdated code sections but the intent and interpretations remain valid. 7.16 Roof construction and covering shall comply with R905 and local ordinance. Indicate finished and existing grade elevations, i.e. We then add a closed in riser similar to a professionally built interior stair, that ties the stair together for a more solid construction. The electrician will install a 50-amp, 240-volt neutrally protected Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. Ordinance amending Chapters 7, 7A, 7DA and 7D2 of the Sonoma County Code - Building Code - 11/2/2010 . Connection Diagrams: FIVE DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES. Gridlines shall be provided corresponding to the lateral load resisting gridlines identified as required in Section 1.7 below. Maintain a clearance of 36 inches in front of the panels (CEC110.26). (R406 & R703), 4.4 Concrete slabs shall be separated from earth by a minimum 6 mil vapor retarder, with edges lapped a minimum of 6 inches. Trapped moisture can cause premature decay and attract termites. It is called a sanity home. Building codes must still be followed and other permits might still apply (e.g. Decks building codes - Posts - IRC & IBC IRC R407.3 Columns shall be restrained to prevent lateral displacement at the bottom end. As an alternative, the slab design may be prepared by a licensed design professional. Do not allow someone to only lag or nail a railing post to the outside of your deck! Building permits for projects regulated by the California Fire Code and Sonoma County fire safe standards may be subject to review and approval by appropriate fire service agencies. The GFCI must be adjacent to the hot tub on an outside wall at least 5 feet from any hot tub . Residential PSF Deck Requirements. Deck safety is a real problem. For information on Building Design Assistance, go here. 12.2 The Residential California Green Building Checklist shall be filled out and all mandatory and elective features selected shall be identified with adequate notations and details on the proposed project plans. Decks building tutorials and design tables, Thefrequently askedquestions on howto build decks for Northern California We are also located near the ocean and with that a higher content of corrosive salt. Welive in the beautiful wine country of Northern California. (CEC 210.52), 6.4 GFCI outlets are required for all kitchen receptacles that are designed to serve countertop surfaces, in bathrooms, in underfloor spaces at or below grade level, in exterior outlets, in laundry areas, and in all garage outlets not dedicated to a single device or appliance. USGSGeologic Hazards - Spectral Response Acceleration Maps. 18.10 Glass and Glazing. (R502.4). 3.9 Minimum size of concrete footings for exterior decks shall be in accordance with CRC Table R507.3.1, based on the tributary area of the footing and an assumed bearing capacity of soil of 1500 pounds per square foot, unless a higher bearing capacity has been justified by a geotechnical report. BUILDING REGULATIONS Chapter 7. 10.10 Spacing of braced wall lines shall not exceed 25 feet (interior & exterior) unless length of required bracing, per Table R602.10.3(3) is adjusted in accordance with Table R602.10.3(4). Rather, there are sections of the Residential CodeThat Apply to building standards related to structures such as railings, stairs, stringers, treads, footings, framinand ledger boards . (CalGreen 301.1) Mandatory provisions shall apply only to the specific area of the addition or alteration. California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Building Standards Code require that no building or structure may be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted or demolished unless a separate permit for each building or structure has been issued. (R303.3) Provide ventilation for products of combustion to outside air. The concrete 2,500 psi compressive. A freestanding deck in your backyard may give you a chance to relax away from the house and the distractions inside so you can simply enjoy the scenery. Step footing detail shall be shown on building elevations and foundation plan. When we design decks for our area these arethe building practices we follow. For other sizes and spans, see Table R602.7 (1, 2, & 3). Foundation walls exceeding 4 feet 6 inches in height shall be a minimum 7.5 inches thick. Website Design by Owner 3.8 Exterior deck support posts shall be cross-braced in two directions for lateral stability. Deck posts are based on using a 40 psf All roofing shall be of Class A fire resistive material, supported by solid sheathing (Chapter 7 Sonoma County Code). 18.10 Wood Deck Construction. Certain projects receive expedited permit processing. What that does is gives us a rigid stair and a firm connection to the railing which in normal conditions can loosen over time. Different guardrail heights at different elevations above grade for Canadians. 36 "minimum height when surface is 30" + above grade, 50 lb concentrated load over 1 sqft or balusters, 50 lbf vertical and horizontal load along top rail, 4 "maximum gap between deck and underside of bottom rail, 34 "minimum stair rail height from nosing to top of rail. Wood structural panel roof sheathing exposed to the underside may be identified as Exposure 1. Rather, there are sections of the Residential CodeThat Apply to building standards related to structures such as railings, stairs, stringers, treads, footings, framin and ledger boards . Building Code. (R311.2), 3.2 There shall be a landing at each side of all doors not more than 1 inches lower than the threshold at the required egress door, and not more than 7 inches for other exterior doors. Cripple walls shall be sheathed per R602.10.9 & R602.10.9.1. Section 311 Storage Group S [Building Code]Section 309 Mercantile Group M [Building Code]Section 308 Institutional Group I [Building Code]Section 312 Utility and Miscellaneous Group U [Building Code]Section 306 Factory Group F [Building Code]Section 305 Educational Group E [Building Code]Section 307 High-Hazard Group H [Building Code] There are several factors to take into consideration when following the building code, including railing height, baluster spacing and the amount of weight that can be sustained. 1.13 Specific County of Sonoma Design Requirements: 2.1 Required window area for light shall be not less than 8 percent of the floor area of the room served; the minimum openable area to the outdoors shall be 4 percent of the floor area being ventilated. Headroom shall be 80 inches minimum. The vertical bar shall extend to 3 inches clear from the bottom of the footing, have a standard hook, and extend a minimum of 14 inches into the stem wall. If the proposed scope of work does not result in the removal of wall and ceiling, finishes exposing areas requiring installation devices may be battery operated. Inspections will be performed on any external building element six feet above ground level including walkways, balconies, decks, landings, stairways and railings. SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA - MUNICIPAL CODE SUPPLEMENT HISTORY TABLE Chapter 1. The span table used in our area for 2011 is the UBC 1997 code (left) for the minimum size of joists for decks. Pay Fees. Most jurisdictions in California change this to within 3'-0", Decks building codes - Footings - IRC & IBC. Remember that each city has its own specific building codes, so check with your city's . (CEC 445.18 & PG&Es Green Book), 7.1 Provide pressure relief valve with drain to outside for water heater. Decks not connected to ledger need not have footings extending below frost line. The soil bearing 1,500 psf. And they are the hardest and most labor intensive part of building a deck. Building Division Fee ScheduleFees associated with building permits including Building Inspection, Building Plan Check, and Fire Inspection. (R602.11.1). Clay, silty clay, silt: Clay particles will remain suspended in water for a day or longer. In either case, you are allowed to build taller guardrails as long as they conform to all other requirements stated in the code. A separate plan and details will be required identifying protection of storm water runoff during construction (i.e. This house was built in 1930s, added on several times.Yes it needed work This was a style were they used 112 as walls. Every three years, the State adopts new codes to establish uniform standards for the construction and maintenance of buildings. 6.15 Energy Storage Systems (ESS) shall be designed and installed in accordance with CRC Section R328. Consider installing a fabric canopy, pergola, or outdoor umbrella for relief from the sun. 9.7 Solid block all joists at ends and intermediate supports with full-depth solid blocking not less than 2 inch nominal thickness. If you are looking for Sonoma County Decks or Home Services then please call 707-545-2326 or complete our online request form. Moistened it can't be rolled into a ball or readily fragments. (R302.5.1), 5.3 Garage and carport floor surfaces shall be of approved noncombustible material. Safety is important and something that should always supersede style. The building codesare typically minimum allowable and don't take into account the fact the lumber is in exterior use or the weight of the newer composites.