Do I need a permit for an attached deck in
Hudson, Ohio?

Hudson attached deck permits — the key details

Hudson's building code is anchored in Ohio Residential Code (ORC), which incorporates the 2020 International Residential Code with state-level amendments. For decks, the governing sections are ORC Chapter 3, which maps to IRC R507 (decks) and IBC Section 1015 (guards). The critical rule that trips up most homeowners: any deck physically attached to the house — meaning the ledger board is bolted to the house rim joist — requires a permit in Hudson, period. The city does not exempt attached decks under 200 square feet. This differs from some Ohio municipalities (e.g., Gahanna, Worthington) that follow the national IRC exemption for small freestanding decks, but Hudson's interpretation is that once you're bridging from house to ground, structural code kicks in. The ledger flashing requirement is IRC R507.9, which demands flashing material with a minimum 10-inch horizontal lip, lapped over the house's rim-board drainage plane, and sealed with caulk or sealant. Hudson's inspectors photograph ledger details before approving framing, so vague or partial flashing gets a required correction notice (typically 3 days to fix). The frost-depth footing requirement is 32 inches below finished grade in Hudson — this is deep enough that many homeowners underestimate the dig cost. Posts must rest on concrete footings poured below this depth; a typical post hole runs 36-40 inches deep to be safe, which requires professional digging or serious elbow work.