Get Georgia Deck Code 2019

The state also allows a homeowner to obtain a permit, said Boland, but that opens up a whole new can of worms. ... For questions and information about permitting, homeowners are invited to call the City Community Development Office at 678-382-6800.

The maximum spacing of 4x4 deck posts should be 6 feet on center, while the maximum spacing of 6x6 deck posts should be 8 feet on center.

The posts should be a minimum 4×4 size and be solidly anchored to the deck joist and rim joist of the structure. Use two through-bolts and a metal tension tie for the upper bolt connection. If a deck's guard-posts anchoring does not have a minimum allowable tension load of 1,800 lbs. for a 36-in.

In the past, many decks were built with 4x4 support posts (also called structural posts). But these can bow seriously, even if a deck is only 3 feet off the ground. For that reason, we strongly recommend that you use 6x6s instead, even if your building department does not demand them.

If your deck is more than 18 inches above the ground: you can't build your deck within 20 feet of the front property line, or within 5 feet of either side property line in single-family zones.

Diagonal bracing can contribute to the stiffness of the deck and, therefore, cause additional lateral loads on the posts. Since center posts receive more vertical load than corner posts, additional lateral load can cause overstress. For this reason, DCA 6 does not show the use of diagonal bracing on center posts.

If you assume a conservative 1400psi allowable bending stress, a single 6x6 with 12' span can support about 2000 lbs. So your double 6x6 can support at least 4000 lbs (possibly more if you do a good job bonding the two members together so that there's no slip between the faces).

4x4 post will be fine. I have built many decks for new homes with them. 6x6 is more sturdy of course and will not twist as easy, but for structure purposes, 4x4 will be fine. I would just not go more then 10' apart with them.

You can build decks sized 10 feet by 20 feet, 12 feet by 16 feet, or 14 feet square without a permit, and theoretically if you need a larger deck, you could build adjacent deck frames that each are 200 square feet or less and don't lap continuous decking over them, without a permit.