Balcony Railing Code: Height, Spacing and Load Requirements
California sets balcony guards at 42 inches, six above the national figure. Here is which volume applies, the sphere tests for openings, what glass…
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Practical, code-accurate articles that help property owners and managers stay compliant and keep balconies and decks safe.
Deck Framing Code: Spans, Ledger Attachment and Connections
Joist spans, beam plies, cantilevers, lateral restraint, ledger bolts and hold-downs: what California's deck framing code requires, why the 60 psf live load rewrites…
When Does a Deck Need a Railing? The Code Answer
A deck up to 30 inches above grade needs no guard, but the tape has to sweep three feet out from the edge. Here…
Deck Footing Code: Size, Depth, Bearing and When You Need an Engineer
A deck footing is the one part that cannot be fixed later. Here is how the code sizes it from tributary area and soil…
Deck Support Posts: What California Code Requires
Post size now turns on height, species and tributary area, and California's 60 psf live load rewrites the printed charts. Here is what the…
How to Fix a Loose Deck Railing?
Play at the top of a guard is not wear. It is the visible end of a connection that gave up out of sight.…
Will Outdoor Carpet Rot My Deck?
Yes, it can. Not because of the fabric, but because of what the fabric stops from happening. Here is the 20 percent moisture threshold,…
Building Requirements for Decks: California Building Codes Explained
California designs decks for 60 psf, not the 40 psf every national span table assumes. Here are the permit, footing, framing, and ledger rules…
Deck Railing Height Code: California Requirements & Safety Standards
National guides say 36 inches. Build to 36 in California and the inspector sends you back. Here is where the 42-inch figure comes from…
Deck Stairs Code: California Requirements & Building Standards
A bottom step three-quarters of an inch shallow can fail an entire flight. Here is what California’s deck stairs code sets for rise, run,…
Balcony Inspection Checklist: A Complete SB 721 Compliance Guide for California Property Owners
A balcony can look flawless and still be failing inside. Here is the complete SB 721 balcony inspection checklist California owners need to catch…
Deck Inspection Checklist: 15 Critical Points Every Homeowner and Inspector Should Check
The 15 structural and safety points every homeowner and inspector should check on a deck, grouped by system from the house connection to the…
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