One of the first questions homeowners ask when planning a new deck or major repair is whether a permit is required, and in Pittsburgh, the answer depends on the details of the project. Uncovered decks that sit no more than 30 inches above grade typically don't require a full building permit, but they still need zoning approval before construction begins, so it's worth confirming this early rather than assuming smaller projects are exempt from oversight entirely. Larger or more complex decks, particularly those involving structural changes, new footings, or elevated construction, generally require submitted construction drawings showing framing details, footing depth, and connection points to the home. Speaking of footings, Pittsburgh's frost line sits at 36 inches, meaning footings must be dug to that depth to prevent shifting or heaving during winter freeze-thaw cycles, a detail that's easy to overlook without local code experience.