[Mabrins]

I'm planning on building a free-standing, single level deck in my back yard. The deck I am planning will be 20 ft. x 16 ft., and will be 14 inches above grade, with one step down to grade. I live in Henrico County, Virginia, and the county's website refers me to the AWC Prescriptive Residential Deck Construction guide, which states on page 2 that the guide only applies to single level residential wood decks that are attached to the house. Additionally, this deck will not be supporting anything with tremendous load (such as a hot tub, pool, or additional structure; only a table and some chairs). My questions are:

1) Given that my deck is relatively low to the ground (14" above grade) and free-standing, do I need a permit/inspection for this deck?
2) Is it acceptable to set the 4" x 4" directly in the ground with concrete (similar to setting a fence post); I was thinking about digging an 18 inch hole, filling it with 6 inches of gravel, setting the post and filling the hole with concrete. Most of what I find online talks about setting posts on footers or piers.

Thanks for your help!

 

[woodworkbykirk]

regarding the permit you will have to talk to you local building office

as for the 4x4 posts, 1st 4x4's are no longer accepted for bearing posts in most regions 6x6's are the norm.. secondly never set the post below grade as it will rot. dig for footing piers that reach the frost line from there fill them up to grade and set post brackets in the concrete

 

[lenaitch]

Don't assume that since the guide doesn't apply you don't need a permit- that's up to your county . I totally agree that 6x6s are required and they shouldn't be buried. How many posts will depend on the spans of your structure and, again, your county. Whether they can or cannot be buried (and how deep) is once again up to your county.