Free referral service, not a contractor.
Questions & answers
Short answers to common questions about roof deck zoning, permits, pilot houses, historic districts and costs in Philadelphia, with links to the sources.
Usually, yes. Zoning Code § 14-604(5) permits roof decks for residential uses in all zoning districts, subject to limits on setback, height, railings and the access structure. Roof decks are prohibited on accessory structures such as detached garages.
Yes. L&I’s EZ deck standard says decks above the first floor aren’t covered and that a separate building permit is required for roof decks. Zoning approval is also needed, and L&I can review zoning and building together for small residential projects.
Source: L&I EZ Permit Standard: Deck (PDF), City of Philadelphia: Get a Zoning Permit for new construction or additions
At least 5 feet from the extreme front building line, unless the top story is already set back at least 5 feet.
No part of the deck surface may be more than 48 inches above a plane midway between the lowest and highest points of the roof surface supporting it. Railings can be up to 42 inches high.
Outside RM-2, RM-3, RM-4, RMX-3, CMX-3, CMX-4, CMX-5 and IRMX districts, a roof deck access structure can be up to 125 sq ft, plus 40 sq ft if it contains an elevator. Everywhere, it can be at most 10 feet above the deck and may only enclose the access.
An L&I FAQ says rooftop structures, including canopies and pergolas, must meet the base district’s height, area and setback requirements unless the Zoning Code gives a specific exception. Check before you build one.
Source: L&I FAQ: Height and area limitations for rooftop structures (PDF)
Possibly. The Historical Commission must review decks on properties on the Philadelphia Register. Its staff may approve work that isn’t visible, or has limited visibility, from public rights-of-way; other applications go to the Architectural Committee.
Source: City of Philadelphia: Get approval for work to a historic property, Philadelphia Historical Commission: Rules & Regulations (PDF)
Philly Home Collective’s Fishtown guide puts simple decks at $15,000–$35,000, mid-range at $35,000–$70,000 and high-end at $70,000–$150,000+. HomeAdvisor’s national average is $11,250, but that usually excludes structure, roofing and a pilot house.
Source: Philly Home Collective: Roof decks in Fishtown, pros, costs and rules, HomeAdvisor: How much does building a rooftop deck cost?
If the roof is near the end of its life, it is usually cheaper to replace it first than to remove the deck later. Angi’s Philadelphia average for flat roof replacement is about $4,098.
Source: Angi: Flat roof replacement cost in Philadelphia, PA
Philly Home Collective says 8 to 20+ weeks from concept to completion is common: about 2–6 weeks for design, 2–8 for permit review and 2–8 for construction.
Source: Philly Home Collective: Roof decks in Fishtown, pros, costs and rules
No. Philly Roof Decks is a free referral service. We pass requests to independent Philadelphia contractors, who quote and do the work. We may receive a fee from the contractors we refer. We are not affiliated with the City of Philadelphia.
No. Using the service is free, and you are under no obligation to hire the contractor we connect you with.
More detail: City rules guide · Cost guide · How our service works
Free · no obligation
We are a free referral service, not a contractor. We pass your request to an independent Philadelphia contractor who quotes and does the work.
Prefer to talk? (267) 549-2706