Do I need a permit for an attached deck in
Duarte, California?

Duarte attached deck permits — the key details

Duarte's Building Department enforces California Title 24 and the California Building Code (CBC), which adopts the 2022 IRC with state-specific amendments. The threshold is simple: any deck attached to a house requires a permit, period. Unlike freestanding decks under 200 sq ft and under 30 inches high (which are exempt under IRC R105.2.2 in many jurisdictions), an attached deck triggers attachment flashing, ledger-to-house connection review, and lateral load analysis — all of which fall under IRC R507 (Exterior Decks). The CBC does NOT provide a blanket exemption for ground-level attached decks, so a deck that is 2 inches off the ground and attached to your rim joist still requires plan review. The City of Duarte Building Department processes permits through in-person intake at their office (no online portal; mail-in submissions are accepted with cover letter and two sets of plans). Plan review typically takes 2-3 weeks if your plans are complete on first submission; incomplete plans trigger a 'Request for Information' (RFI) that adds 1-2 weeks. The permit fee for a residential deck is generally $200–$350, calculated as a percentage of estimated valuation (typically 1.5-2% of construction cost). A $5,000 deck (materials and labor) yields a permit fee of roughly $75–$100; a $15,000 deck yields $225–$300. Duarte also charges plan-review fees separately in some cases ($50–$150 depending on complexity), so budget $300–$500 total for permitting.