DEVELOPMENT SERVICES INFORMATION BULLETIN SPECIFICATIONS FOR Patio Covers 206 1222 FIRST AVENUE, MS 301, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101 October 2016

This Information Bulletin describes the mini- Documents Referenced in this mum requirements for obtaining patio cover permits for residential buildings using this infor- Information Bulletin mation bulletin, International Code Council Evalu- • California Residential Code, (CRC) ation Services (ICC-ES) reports, or designed using • San Diego Municipal Code, (SDMC) conventional light-frame wood construction. For • Project Submittal Manual clarification of the permit process, visit the Devel- •• Information Bulletin 117, Regulations opment Services Department, third floor, 1222 Covering Permit Expiration and Extension First Avenue, or telephone (619) 446-5000. • Information Bulletin 123, Minimum Stan- dards for Renewal of Roof Covering I. DEFINITION • Information Bulletin 501, Fee Schedule, Con- A. Patio covers are one-story structures not struction Permits - Structures more than 12 feet in height above grade • General Application, DS-3032 and used only for recreational, outdoor living purposes and not as carports, garages, storage rooms or habitable structure. rooms. 6. Enclosure walls must have a clear height of not less than 6’-8” measured B. Patio covers may be attached or de- from the floor to the sofit of the sup- tached and are permitted only as ac- porting members. cessory to dwelling units such as 7. Enclosure walls may have any con- one-or two-family dwellings or lodg- figuration, provided the open or glazed ing houses or to individual dwelling area of the longer wall and one addi- units in multiple dwelling-unit buildings. tional wall is equal to at least 65 per- cent of the area below a minimum of C. Patio covers must be open on one or 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm) of each wall, more sides. (CBC Appendix I section 102 measured from the floor. and 103). 1. Patio structures may extend over exist- II. WHEN IS A PERMIT REQUIRED? ing exterior wall openings. Patio cover structures that do not exceed 2. Patio covers shall not be enclosed in 300 square feet of projected roof area any manner and shall remain open may be exempt from a building permit in when exterior openings in an exist- single family residential zones. Although ing building provide access for emer- such patio covers may still be exempt from gency egress or rescue from sleeping building permit, they are not exempt from rooms. electrical, plumbing, mechanical permit re- 3. An enclosed patio structure is permit- quirements and other building regulations ted if it covers exterior wall openings (SDMC 129.0203(a)). Building permits for any that only provide light and ventilation new patio cover or repair or enclosure of an for the residents. existing patio cover will be required if any of 4. Openings surrounding patio covers the following conditions occur: may be enclosed by the following 1. The patio structure is located on a site methods: (a) insect screening, (b) that contains environmental sensitive approved translucent or transparent lands. plastic not more than 0.125 inches in 2. The patio structure encroaches into any thickness, (c) glass conforming to the required side yards or established set- provisions of Chapter 24, or (d) any backs. combination of the noted methods. 3. The property is located in the Coastal 5. Means of egress conforming to the Zone or any site regulated by a Planned requirements of Chapter 10 are to Residential Development (PRD) permit or be provided from the enclosed patio Planned Infill Residential Development

Printed on recycled paper. Visit our web site at www.sandiego.gov/development-services. Upon request, this information is available in alternative formats for persons with disabilities.

DS-5206 (10-16) Page  of 10 City of San Diego • Information Bulletin 206 October 2016

(PIRD) permit. tion on each of the following items on the plot plan: Please telephone (619) 446-5000 to verify if the proposed location is in one of these 1. Name of owner. areas. 2. Address and Accessor’s Parcel Num- ber where the patio is to be built. 3. Legal description of property. A final inspection must be approved before 4. North arrow and scale. Suggested the work is considered complete by the City scale: 1 inch equals 20 feet. of San Diego. 5. Boundaries and dimensions of prop- erty.* III. YOUR OPTIONS FOR SERVICE 6. Names of bordering streets.* Patio Cover permits may be obtained 7. Width of alley(s), if any.* over-the-counter when using this informa- 9. Location and width of easements. Pri- tion bulletin, ICC-ES evaluation reports or vate easements should be shown on designed using conventional light-frame the property’s deed.* 10. Location and dimensions of existing wood construction. All other projects shall buildings, structures, retaining walls, be submitted for review. Refer to the Project paved parking, and driveways. Include Submittal Manual section 2A. distance from property lines. 11. Location and dimensions of proposed Appointments are recommended for over- patio. the-counter plan review and submitted proj- 12. Existing survey hubs, pipes and similar ects. Telephone (619) 446-5300 to schedule permanently installed property line an appointment. identification.

IV. PROJECT FEES *This information is available from the Fees which include Plan Check, Permit and Records Section, (619) 446-5200. Inspection are charged at initial review. For more information, refer to Information Bul- B. Foundation and Framing Plans letin #501. Provide three copies if this information bulletin or (ICC-ES) evaluation reports ap- V. DRAWINGS TO PROVIDE/FORMS TO proved plan available from your material COMPLETE supplier is used for the patio design. Plans must be drawn to scale and must be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, If plans have to be submitted because of nature, and extent of the work proposed. customized design of the patio, provide Be sure to clearly label all existing and pro- three copies of plan documents. These posed construction. plans should include a roof framing plan, Plans must show, in detail that the pro- foundation plan, elevations, cross-sec- posed work will conform to the provisions tions, connection details, and structural of the 2007 California Building Code, Zon- calculations. ing Ordinances, and all other relevant laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations. Zoning C. Floor Plan information is available at the Development For patio covers within 6’-0” of a dwelling, Service Department, 1222 First Avenue, 3rd include a floor plan and show the follow- Floor or call (619) 446-5000. ing information: 1. Use and dimensions of all rooms adja- Three sets of plans are required and must cent to the patio cover. include: 2. Size and type of all windows and doors A. Site Plan from those rooms. Before drawing the site plan, contact the Development Services Department D. Permit Application at (619) 446-5000 for additional require- All projects must be submitted with a ments regarding yard setbacks, Very High Permit Application. Instructions can be Fire Hazard Severity Zone, City of San Di- found on the reverse side of the applica- ego Brush Management Zones, and other tion. If you intend to obtain your permit requirements on the same day as plan review, the ap- plication must be fully completed. Three copies of a site plan are required for a permit. You must include informa- October 2016 City of San Diego • Information Bulletin 206 Page  of 10

Note: there are no exceptions to the center; Workers Compensation Insurance re- 4. The height of the roof of the patio shall quirements. If the property owner is not exceed the roof eave or the sill doing the construction work or is hiring plate of the second floor, whichever is a number of different contractors, a lower. separate Owner-Builder Verification form must be signed by the owner before the F. Patio covers located in the environmen- permit can be issued. tal sensitive lands and brush manage- ment zones must comply with sections VI. Additional regulations 143.0101 and 142.0412 of the SDMC. A. This information bulletin recommends that all patio structures be located at G. Structures located in a Very High Fire least 5 feet from assumed or real prop- Hazard Severity Zone or Brush Manage- erty lines. ment Zones, governed by the City of San Diego’s Brush Management Ordinance, Additional requirements of the building may need to meet additional fire protec- code related to fire separation distance, tion requirements. opening protection and parapet require- ments may need to be addressed, based VII. Construction specifications on the distance of the patio structure Following are the minimum construction from real or assumed property lines. specifications for patio covers. Such requirements include limitations on new and existing exterior wall open- A. The concrete mix for footings must meet ings of 25% of the wall area, fire protec- a compressive strength of f’c= 2,500 psi tion ratings of supports and walls. Refer minimum. to CBC Tables 602 and 704.8. B. Lumber must be Douglas fir-larch No. 2 or B. No fire protection is required for the com- better. All lumber must be grade-marked. mon wall between the dwelling unit and Joists, girders, and posts may be required patio cover as they fall under the same to be protected against decay and ter- occupancy classification. mites. (CBC Section 2304.11). C. When existing wall openings are required C. Post size is based on the height of the floor for light and/or ventilation within the above the slab (at the highest point): dwelling unit itself and they open into a 0 to 8 feet high: 4x4 minimum, patio cover, the minimum ceiling height of 8 to 10 feet high: 6x6 minimum the patio structure shall be 7’-0” measured D. The post anchorage and bracing details from the floor surface to the underside of shown on the following sheets have been the rafters. When no required openings approved by the City of San Diego for exist in the common wall, the minimum unenclosed patio covers. required height for the patio cover may 1. Posts must be anchored at the lower be 6’-8”. (CBC Appendix I section 102). end and must be braced at the upper end using any of the details shown in D. All electrical wiring and equipment must Figure 3. Decorative-type bracing may comply with regulations for exterior in- be substituted if the same resistance stallation. to lateral loading is provided. 2. Post anchorage to slabs may be accom- E. Patio covers may be located within a plished with a standard approved post required side yard or rear yard, subject base installed per the manufacturer’s to the following requirements: (SDMC installation instructions. The footing 131.0461 (a)(8)). must be adequate for the load ap- 1. The patio structure shall not be lo- plied. See Section IX below and Table cated closer than 5 feet to any property A. When the load on supporting post line; does not exceed 750 pounds per posts, 2. The patio shall be open on at least a minimum 3 1/2-inch-thick concrete three sides except for support col- slab-on-grade may be substituted umns with maximum dimensions of 18 for the pad footings shown on the inches by 18 inches in plan view; typical framing details. (CBC Appendix 3 The support columns shall have a mini- I104.2). mum separation of 8 feet measured on Page  of 10 City of San Diego • Information Bulletin 206 October 2016

E. When it is desired to connect and support one side of the patio cover structure by B. When ledgers are attached to an existing attaching it directly to the dwelling unit, structure, and the rafter spacing and beam sizes may be as shown in Tables B and C. However, C. When work is complete. the main beam may be replaced on the side attached to the dwelling unit with a Note: The project is not legally complete un- ledger the same size as the rafters and til there is an approved final inspection. Call fastened to the studs with 3/8” x 5” lag (858) 581-7111 to schedule inspections. screws spaced at 16” maximum on center. See Figure 7 and 8. Patio rafters may not IX. Tables be solely supported by the existing rafter Tables A, B, and C make the following as- tails or fascia of the house. sumptions: Roof live load is 10 psf. The size of the existing headers at open- Roof dead load is 7 psf. ings adjoining the proposed patio covers may need to be verified base on the con- All lumber is to be Douglas fir-larch No. 2 or figuration of an existing building and the better (repetitive member use):

depth of the patio cover. F b = 900 psi F v = 180 psi F. Specify roof covering when submitting E = 1,600,000 psi plans. If nominal one-half-inch-thick roof Soil bearing pressure is 1,500 psf mini- sheathing is used, the roof may have raf- mum. ters spaced not more than 24” on center. If the above information differs, values in Patio covers constructed of light-transmit- the tables must be adjusted. ting plastics shall comply with Sections 2606 and 2609 of the California Building Code and to the manufacturer’s installa- tion instructions. The corrugations must be placed perpendicular to and across the supports. Roof systems shall be sloped 1/4 inch in 12 inches for drainage.

G. Framing hardware and fasteners shall be hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel if in preservative-treated wood. (CBC 2304.9.5).

VIII. Inspections An Inspection Record Card is issued at the time the permit is obtained. The inspector signs this card as the construction is inspect- ed and approved. The approved plans, the Inspection Record Card, and the permit are important records and should be retained.

A combination permit is active for 180 days. Each inspection scheduled and passed extends the permit 180 days. Permits ap- proaching expiration can be extended under special circumstances. Refer to Information Bulletin 117, Regulation Covering Permit Expiration and Extension, for more infor- mation. Inspections are required at the following times:

A. When footing has been excavated but before concrete is placed, October 2016 City of San Diego • Information Bulletin 206 Page  of 10

Table A/Minimum Square Footing Sizes (Inches)* Table B/Minimum Rafter Sizes (Inches)

Post Rafter Rafter Spacing Center-to-Center (Inches) 1,2 Spacing Span 12 16 24 32 Feet) Rafter Span (Feet) 1,2 (feet) (5/16” plywood (11/32” plywood (1/2” plywood (5/8” plywood 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 sheathing) sheathing) sheathing) sheathing) 4 S S S S S S S S 6 2x4 2x4 2x4 2x4 6 S S S S S S S S 7 2x4 2x4 2x4 2x4 8 12 12 12 12 12 14 14 14 8 2x4 2x4 2x6 2x6 10 12 12 12 14 14 14 16 16 9 2x4 2x6 2x6 2x6 12 12 12 14 14 16 16 18 18 10 2x6 2x6 2x6 2x6 14 12 12 14 16 16 18 18 20 11 2x6 2x6 2x6 2x6 16 12 14 14 16 18 18 20 20 12 2x6 2x6 2x6 2x8 18 12 14 16 18 18 20 20 22 13 2x6 2x6 2x8 2x8 20 14 14 16 18 20 20 22 24 14 2x6 2x6 2x8 2x8 15 2x6 2x8 2x8 2x10 *See dimension “A” on “Figure 5” 16 2x8 2x8 2x8 2x10 17 2x8 2x8 2x10 2x10 1 “S” Patio supported on a concrete slab on grade without 18 2x8 2x8 2x10 2x10 footings 19 2x8 2x10 2x10 2x12 2 Assume reenforcing bar size #4 top and bottom, rebar 20 2x8 2x10 2x10 2x12 yield Fy=60 ksi 1 Deflection base on L/360 (LL only) 2 Load Duration Factor = 1.25.

Table C/Minimum Beam Sizes (Inches)

Post Spacing (Feet) Span of Rafters (In Feet) 1,2,3 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

4 4x4 4x4 4x4 4x4 4x4 4x4 4x4 4x4 4x4 6 4x4 4x4 4x4 4x4 4x4 4x4 4x4 4x4 4x6 8 4x4 4x4 4x6 4x6 4x6 4x6 4x6 4x6 4x6 10 4x4 4x6 4x6 4x6 4x6 4x6 4x8 4x8 4x8 12 4x6 4x6 4x6 4x8 4x8 4x8 4x8 4x8 4x10 6x8 6x8 6x8 6x8 14 4x6 4x8 4x8 4x8 4x8 4x10 4x10 4x10 4x10 6x8 6x8 6x8 6x10 6x10 6x10 16 4x8 4x8 4x8 4x10 4x10 4x10 4x12 4x12 4x14 6x8 6x8 6x8 6x8 6x10 6x10 6x10 6x10 18 4x8 4x8 4x10 4x10 4x10 4x12 4x12 4x14 4x14 6x8 6x8 6x8 6x10 6x10 6x10 6x12 6x12 20 4x8 4x10 4x10 4x12 4x12 4x14 4x14 6x8 6x8 6x10 6x10 6x10 6x12 6x12 6x12 6x14

1 If joists are within 18 inches of grade, use pressure-treated. Douglas fir-larch or Fundation-Grade redwood. 2 Deflection base on L/360 (LL only) 3 Load Duration Factor = 1 Page  of 10 City of San Diego • Information Bulletin 206 October 2016

Figure 1 / Sample Patio Site Plan October 2016 City of San Diego • Information Bulletin 206 Page  of 10

Figure 2 / Typical Patio

Figure 3 / Post-to-Girder Connection

Case 1 / Connection, Interior Condition Case 2 / Interior Condition Page  of 10 City of San Diego • Information Bulletin 206 October 2016

Figure 4/ Section View of Patio A / Attached Patio

B / Detached Patio October 2016 City of San Diego • Information Bulletin 206 Page  of 10

Figure 5 / Typical Footing Details

Case 1 / Pier Footing Case 2 / Continuous Footing

Case 3 / Slab Footing

Figure 6 / Typical Eave Detail Page 10 of 10 City of San Diego • Information Bulletin 206 October 2016

Figure 7 / Typical Rafter Attachment Details

Figure 8 / Typical Ledger Details