Philadelphia Roof Deck Rules

A summary of city building codes and a link to the complete code.

Philadelphia roof deck rules.

Roof decks are prohibited on accessory structures. Common in urban areas roof decks offer a birds eye view of your surroundings save precious space and can even help lower your monthly cooling or heating bills thanks to insulative possibilities. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Roof decks for non residential uses are prohibited except in the cmx 2 cmx 2 5 cmx 3 cmx 4 or cmx 5 district require district where special exception approval in accordance with the procedures of 14 303 7 is required.

Deck shall not be located in the front or side yards. Ball playing on the roof deck should only be done on the artificial grass and balls should not be thrown against the building. It also can t be placed on a deck inside a tent or on or under a roof. Roof decks are highly sought after on homes with flat or partially flat roofs.

The area below the deck shall not be enclosed. Deck shall not have a roof walls or stairs leading to grade. A minimum distance of 3 0 shall be maintained from the deck to the rear property line or to the common driveway. For posternack construction typically takes about a month with more time added if the deck requires a pilot house a shed like structure with an interior staircase.

Groups of more than 10 people are not permitted. Children under the age of 13 must be supervised by an adult at all times. Any person using the roof deck does so at his or her own risk. It has to be 15 feet away from any structure.

Roof gardens see section b 1504 of title 4 temporary structures see b 102 of title 4 storage of refuse see b 424 of title 4 philadelphia property maintenance code section pm of title 4 this is particularly important for rules regarding safety on vacant lots. Maximum size of deck. Roof decks are subject to compliance with 14 604 5 a through 14 604 5 c below. For philadelphia roof decks are for all seasons getting the proper permits from the city takes about 90 days assuming that everything goes smoothly.

That includes decks and balconies. While roof decks are generally by right and do not require approval from the zoning board l i will not grant a permit for this work without formal plans drawn up by an architect and the permit issued to a licensed contractor. The roof deck is open to all residents to use during normal hours.