City of Saint Peter
Building Department
Phone 507-934-0662
Fax 507-934-4917
www.saintpetermn.gov
This handout corresponds to the 2015 Minnesota Residential Code as adopted in Minnesota Rules
(MR), Chapter 1309
and applies to the construction, alteration, moving, demolition, repair and use of
any detached one- and two-family dwellings as well as townhouses not more than three stories high.
Other applicable codes and ordinances of the City of Saint Peter also apply.
Decks
Building permits are required for all attached decks and landings. Decks and landings that are
unattached and less than 30 inches above grade do not need a permit. This includes new construction,
additions, alteration, repair, moving or demolishing.
PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING WITH YOUR PERMIT:
1. Completed permit application form (included on the last page of this packet).
2. Two copies of the following building plans:
A. Site plan showing:
1. Complete property drawn to scale according to an accurate boundary line survey.
(If no property corner markers are visible, a certificate of survey is required.)
Demolition: indicate structures to be demolished and the size and location of structures
that are to remain.
2. Size and location of new construction
and existing buildings.
3. Distances from lot lines.
4. Setbacks from all property lines of all
existing and proposed structure(s).
5. Any easements on the property.
6. Established street grades and proposed
finished grades.
7. Proposed site drainage, driveway size
and location.
8. Designation of side street for corner lot
projects.
(The Building Official may waive or modify the
requirement for a site plan if the application for
permit is for alteration or repair or when other-
wise warranted.)
B. Floor plan showing:
1. Proposed deck size.
2. Size and spacing of floor joists.
3. Size and type of decking material.
4. Size, type and direction of beams.
5. Size, type, location and spacing of
posts.
6. Size, location and spacing of
footings.
C. Elevation plan showing:
1. Height of structure from grade.
2. Size and depth of footings
3. Guard height and spacing
4. Stairway rise and run and handrail
height.
5. Clearance of over-head wires
REQUIRED INSPECTIONS:
The following inspections shall be obtained during the construction of the deck. It is the responsibility of the
party doing the work to make arrangements with the building department for inspections:
1. Footing Inspection
Prior to the placement of any concrete, after footing holes are dug.
2. Framing Inspection
Is to be made after all framing, blocking, and bracing are in place and prior to covering the construction
so it is accessible for inspection. This inspection can be completed at the time of the final inspection if
all parts of the framing will be visible and accessible.
3. Final Inspection
To be made upon completion of the deck and finish grading.
THE DECK MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CODE PROVISIONS:
1. Deck is required to have frost footings if attached to the house or other structure with frost footings.
2. All decks that are 30 inches or more above grade must be protected by a guardrail. Such guard shall be
at least 36 inches in height. Open guardrails and stair railings shall have intermediate rails or an
ornamental pattern such that a 4-inch diameter sphere cannot pass through, i.e. open space between
balusters must be smaller than 4 inches.
3. If a stairway is to be provided, it must not be less than 36 inches in width. Stairways may be constructed
having an 7 3/4-inch maximum rise (height) and a 10-inch minimum run (length). The tread rise and
tread run may not vary over the length of the stairs by more than ⅜ inch. The code also requires
illumination at all stairways.
Less than
4”
4. Graspable handrails are required on all
stairways having 4 or more risers. Hand-
rails may not be less than 1¼ inches nor
more than 2⅝ inches in cross sectional
area. Top of handrail must not be less
than 34 inches nor more than 38 inches
above the nosing (front edge) of treads
and must end by being returned to a wall
or post. Shapes other than those shown
may also be acceptable.
**FLAT 2X4 NOT ACCEPTABLE.**
5. Decks need to be designed for a 40 pound per square foot live load and balconies to a 60 pound per
square foot live load. (If a screen porch or 3-season porch might be constructed on the deck platform,
special setback and design requirements should be considered.)
6. Include detail for attaching deck
at cantilevered floor framing.
7. Joists should not overhang beams (cantilever) by more than two feet, nor should beams overhang posts
by more than one foot unless a special design is approved.
8. All connections between deck and dwelling shall be weatherproof. Any cuts in exterior finish shall be
flashed or caulked.
9. The following materials may be used as deck components when exposed to the weather (for example
posts, beams, joists, ledger and decking):
A. Approved wood with natural resistance to decay such as redwood or cedar.
Cedar or redwood posts need an 8-inch separation from the ground.
B. Approved treated wood.
Columns or posts in contact with the ground or embedded in concrete, earth or masonry must be
of special pressure treated wood approved for ground contact. (.60 Treated)
C. Other materials such as composite plastics that have prior approval from the Building Official.
(Plastic/composite decking must carry an evaluation report. A list of approved manufacturers and
the corresponding reports are included in this packet.)
10. Header joists more than six feet long and tail joists over 12 feet long shall be supported by approved
framing anchors such as joist hangers.
11. Recent changes have been made in the chemicals used in the manufacture of pressure-treated wood.
Chromated copper arsenate, also known as CCA, is being phased out and the most common new
treatments approved for outdoor use are alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) and copper azole. According
to the lumber and fastener industry, the newer chemicals being used to treat the wood approved for
outdoor use are considerably more corrosive than those previously treated with CCA and therefore
require special hardware (fasteners, hangers and brackets) as well as greater care in the selection of
materials that may come in contact with the wood. The fastener industry has indicated that some of the
hardware currently on the market may not perform with some of the new treatments.
Designers, builders, and home owners will need to pay particular attention to the grade marks on the
lumber and verify that proper hardware are appropriate with the particular treatment of the lumber.
This not only applies to decks but sill plates, ledger boards and posts as well. The code references the
American Wood Preservers Association (www.awpa.com), which has published information on this
issue. Particular attention should also be made to the manufacturer’s installation instructions for the
hardware. Questions should be directed to your wood and fastener supplier or the Building Official.
12. The electrical code requires overhead power lines to be located a minimum of 10 feet above decks and
platforms. Existing lines may need to be raised if a new deck is to be installed beneath them.
13. When locating a deck, care must be given to the location of existing gas and electric meters, wells, and
septic systems. These may need to be relocated to allow for construction of the deck. Septic systems
and wells may be difficult to relocate, requiring an alternative location for the deck. Prior to placement
of any deck that will interfere with these devices, contact the Building Official.
CALL AT LEAST 2 FULL BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE YOU DIG.
811 1-800-252-1166 1-651-454-0002 www.gopherstateonecall.org
Important note: If adding a screen porch or 3-season porch on the deck platform may be a future
consideration, please note the following:
Setbacks for porches are not the same as setbacks for decks.
Footing and posts are located at the edges of the deck (no cantilevers) and sized appropriately.
CITY OF SAINT PETER
BUILDING SETBACKS
R-1 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
FRONT: SIDE: REAR:
1 and 1 ½ story homes 20 ft. 7 ft. 25 ft.
2 story homes 20 ft. 10 ft. 25 ft.
ALL SINGLE FAMILY & TWO FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
FRONT: SIDE: REAR:
1 and 1 ½ story homes 20 ft. 7 ft. 25 ft.
2 story homes 20 ft. 10 ft. 25 ft.
CALL AT LEAST 2 FULL BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE YOU DIG.
811 1-800-252-1166 1-651-454-0002 www.gopherstateonecall.org
APPROVED PLASTIC/COMPOSITE DECKING MATERIALS International Code Council-Evaluation Services
Please read all evaluation reports that apply thoroughly. Visit www.icc-es.org for latest updates
Not all products are approved for use on stairs. Contact the Building Official for new listings.
Product Name
Evaluation Report
A.E.R.T. Choicedek Decking
NER-596
Andersen Corp. Engineered Decking
NER-614
Boardwalk Composite Lumber
NER-576
Brock Deck & Triple Crown Fence
NER-705
Bufftech
NER-605
Carefree Decking System & Guardrail System
97-63.01
C-Clip Vinyl Deck System
21-90
CertainTeed PVC Deck Planks & Railing Systems
NER-605
CorrectDeck
NER-688
Country Estate Railing System
21-76
Crown Stock Fiberglass Column
2405
Deck Lok
ESR-1051
Dream Deck & Dream Rail
97-55
Endurance Railing System
NER-701
Epoch Composite Lumber & Evergrain Decking
NER-630, ESR-1625
Evernew
NER-605
EverX Wood Plastic Composite Deck Board
NER-682
Evolve Lumber Plastic Decking
NER-702
Fiberon Deck Boards & Fiberail Guardrail System
22-41
GeoDeck Decking & Railing System
21-71
Kroy Vinyl Railing System
22-33
Lakeshore
NER-682
Liberty Decking
22-39
Life Long Composite
ESR-1278 (Solid),
ESR-1279 (Hollow)
Master Mark Rhino Composite Decking
ER-6134
Monarch Decking
ESR-1084
Perma-Deck
21-91
Continued on next page.
Perma-Poly Lumber Plastic Decking
NER-702
Premier Composite Decking & Railing System
NER-682 (Decking),
NER-709 (Railing)
Presidio Vinyl Decking
NER-710
Profection Deck Boards
22-41
Pro Perfect Decking
22-41
Quick Rail Synthetic Rail System
22-22
Sheerline PVC Decking & Railing
NER-571
Teck Deck Flooring & Guardrail Systems
21-26
Tek-Rail Vinyl Guardrail System
9850C
Timberlast
NER-682
TimberTech Decking
2325
Trex Composite Lumber
& Wood-polymer Composite Lumber
ER-5747, NER-508
Tri-Ex Composite Guardrail
22-22
Ultradeck
ESR-1674
Veranda
NER-682
Weatherbest Composite Decking & Railing
NER-603
West Lumber Decking
2310
Xtendex Composite Decking & Guardrail System
NER-695
Yardcrafters Vinyl Railing Systems
NER-697
City of Saint Peter
Building Department Permit Number__________
227 South Front
St. Peter, MN 56082
Phone: 507-934-0662 Fax: 507-934-4917
BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION
BUILDING SITE ADDRESS (OR) LOT BLOCK PHONE
PROPERTY OWNER ADDRESS PHONE
GENERAL CONTRACTOR LICENSE# / EXP Date ADDRESS PHONE
PLUMBING CONTRACTOR (IF APPLICABLE) LICENSE# / EXP Date ADDRESS PHONE
MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR (IF APPLICABLE) ADDRESS PHONE
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR (IF APPLICABLE) LICENSE# / EXP Date ADDRESS PHONE
EXCAVATION CONTRACTOR (IF APPLICABLE) LICENSE# / EXP Date ADDRESS PHONE
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
CONSTRUCTION & SITE PLANS ATTACHED (TWO COPIES EACH) YES NO SQUARE FOOTAGE__________
IS AN EXCAVATION PERMIT REQUIRED? YES NO IS THE HOME OLDER THAN 1978? YES NO
IF SO PROVIDE LEAD CERTIFICATION LICENSE # SIGN (LICENSEE)
ESTIMATED VALUE OF WORK (INCLUDING LABOR) $____________________
DOES THIS VALUE INCLUDE P&H YES NO
Permit becomes void if work does not begin within 180 days or if suspended at any time for
over 180 days. Permits issued and inspections made by the City are a public service and
do not constitute any representation, guarantee or warranty, either implied or expressed,
to any person as to the condition of the building or conformance to applicable construction
codes. The undersigned acknowledges that this application has been read and that
the above is correct and agrees to comply with all the ordinances and laws of the
City of Saint Peter regulating building construction.
EMAIL ADDRESS ________________________________________
______________________________________________ _____________________________ _____________
SIGNATURE OF: OWNER CONTRACTOR AUTHORIZED AGENT PRINTED NAME DATE
BUILDING OFFICIAL APPROVAL DATE ZONING ADMINSTRATOR APPROVAL DATE
BUILDING PERMIT FEE______________________
PLAN REVIEW FEE_________________________
STATE SURCHARGE________________________
TOTAL BUILDING FEE_______________________
PUBLIC WORKS FEE________________________
TOTAL PERMIT FEE________________________
RECEIPT NUMBER_________________________
ISSUED BY________________________________
PW APPROVAL____________________________
Occupancy _____
_
______
Type of Construction _____
PROPOSED SETBACKS
FRONT_________ NSEW
LEFT___________ NSEW
RIGHT__________ NSEW
REAR___________ NSEW
TYPE OF STRUCTURE
PRINCIPLE BUILDING
GARAGE
ACCESSORY BUILDING
TEMPORARY BUILDING
OTHER (SPECIFY)
TYPE OF WORK
NEW BUILDING
EXISTING BUILDING
ADDITION
REMODEL
REPAIR
DECK
REROOF
RESIDE
PROPERTY USE
SINGLE FAMILY RES.
TWO FAMILY RES.
THREE + FAMILY RES.
COMMERCIAL
INDUSTRIAL
INSTITUTIONAL
PUBLIC