By Dawn Construction. Reviewed by Matan Four, Owner. Updated November 2026.
Most decks in Everett need a building permit. A deck is exempt only if it is 200 square feet or smaller, no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to the house, and doesn’t serve the home’s required exit door. If it misses any one of these, plan on a permit.
When does a deck need a permit in Everett?
Everett starts from a simple rule: all construction work needs a permit unless the code exempts it. For decks on one- and two-family homes, the exemption is narrow. A deck is exempt only when it meets all four of these conditions:
| Condition | Exempt deck | Needs a permit |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 200 square feet or less | Over 200 square feet |
| Height | Not more than 30 inches above grade at any point | More than 30 inches at any point |
| Attachment | Not attached to the house | Attached to the house |
| Exit door | Doesn’t serve the home’s required exit door | Serves the required exit door |
Notice the words “at any point.” On a sloped yard, the deck can be low near the house and much higher at the far edge. If any part is more than 30 inches above the ground, it needs a permit.
Which common Everett decks need a permit?
| Your deck | Permit? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small freestanding platform in the yard, low to the ground | Usually no | Can meet all four exemption conditions |
| Deck attached to the house, even if it’s low | Yes | Attached decks aren’t exempt |
| Deck off the back door that you step out onto | Usually yes | Often attached, and may serve the required exit door |
| Raised deck off a main floor | Yes | More than 30 inches above grade |
| Large deck over 200 square feet | Yes | Over the size limit |
| Deck on a sloped lot | Often yes | Any point over 30 inches counts |
Do covered decks need a permit in Everett?
A roof over a deck isn’t part of Everett’s deck exemption, so plan on a permit and check your project with Permit Services. A cover also adds weight that the posts, beams, and footings must carry, so the deck and cover should be designed together. Our guide to patio and deck covers explains the options.
Does replacing or repairing an Everett deck need a permit?
It depends on the work. Replacing worn boards on a sound frame is different from rebuilding posts, beams, stairs, or the connection to the house. Structural work on a deck that isn’t exempt usually brings a permit into the project. See deck repair: warning signs and fixes for what to check first.
How do you apply for a deck permit in Everett?
- Check your deck against the four conditions above.
- Prepare drawings: a site plan and construction details for the deck.
- Apply through Everett’s online permitting portal.
- Schedule inspections: the permit lists the inspections your deck needs as it’s built.
- Pass the final inspection before you call the deck done.
Everett Permit Services: 425.257.8810, [email protected], everettwa.gov/permits. Rules can change, so confirm your project with the city before you build.
How are Everett’s rules different from other cities?
Every city sets its own details. Seattle, for example, uses a lower height for deck permits, and Renton measures deck height using the ground around the deck. If you own homes or are comparing contractors in more than one city, check each city’s rules. See our guides to deck permits in Seattle and deck permits in Renton.
What affects the cost of a new deck in Everett?
Every deck is priced individually. You get a written quote after a free in-home estimate, and financing is available.
| Cost factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Size | More square feet means more framing, decking, and labor |
| Height and slope | Raised decks and sloped lots need taller posts and bigger footings |
| Decking material | Composite, cedar, and pressure-treated wood each cost differently |
| Railings and stairs | Required on raised decks; style and number of stairs add up |
| Attached or freestanding | Attached decks need a properly flashed house connection |
| Old deck removal | Demolition and repairs before the new deck goes in |
| Cover | A roof adds framing, roofing, and gutters |
| Permit | Drawings and inspections are part of the project |
How Dawn Construction can help
Dawn Construction builds, replaces, and repairs decks for Everett homeowners from our nearby office at 9800 Harbour Pl in Mukilteo. We check your deck against Everett’s rules at the estimate, prepare what the permit needs, and schedule the inspections. We build in composite, cedar, and pressure-treated wood, and every project comes with a one-year workmanship warranty. We’re rated 4.9 on Google.
FAQ
Do I need a permit to build a deck in Everett?
Usually, yes. A deck is exempt only if it’s 200 square feet or less, no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to the house, and doesn’t serve the required exit door.
Do attached decks need a permit in Everett?
Yes. Decks attached to the house aren’t covered by Everett’s deck exemption, even when they’re low to the ground.
What does “30 inches above grade at any point” mean?
If any part of the deck surface is more than 30 inches above the ground below it, the deck needs a permit. On a sloped yard, measure the highest point.
Do I need a permit for a covered deck in Everett?
Plan on one. A roof over a deck isn’t part of Everett’s deck exemption. Confirm your project with Everett Permit Services.
How do I apply for a deck permit in Everett?
Apply through Everett’s online permitting portal, then schedule the inspections the permit requires as the deck is built.
Can you handle the Everett permit for me?
Yes. We check your project against Everett’s rules, prepare what the permit needs, and schedule the inspections.
Planning a deck in Everett?
Get a free in-home estimate and a written quote from our Mukilteo team, just next door. Book your deck estimate, or call (206) 672-1711, Sunday–Friday, 8am–10pm. See all our deck services.
Sources
- City of Everett Permit Services, Permit Exemptions (One- and Two-Family Dwellings): https://lfportal.everettwa.gov/WebLink/0/doc/1688356/Page4.aspx
- City of Everett Permit Services, Permit Exemptions handout (contact information): https://www.everettwa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/32286
- City of Everett Permit Services, online permitting portal: https://onlinepermits.everettwa.gov