Eau Claire Deck Guide: Permits, Footings, Rules (2026)

Updated October 24, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change, so confirm with the agency listed before you start work.

Quick reference

Topic	What to know	Source
Footings	Below the frost line or at least 48 in. below finished grade	UDC Appendix B
Guards	Required over 24 in. above grade; 36 in. minimum height; no 4 in. sphere through	UDC Appendix B
Stairs	8 in. max riser, 9 in. min tread; handrail if more than 3 risers	UDC Appendix B
Who can pull a permit	Dwelling Contractor certification plus a certified Qualifier	DSPS; SPS 305.31
City permits	Eau Claire Inspections Division; 2 to 4 weeks to issue	City of Eau Claire
Contracts	Written contract required if you pay before work is done; 3 business days to cancel some home-solicited contracts	DATCP
Climate	January mean 14.4°F; about 55 in. of snow a year	Wikipedia (NOAA data)

What does Wisconsin's deck code require?

Wisconsin builds one- and two-family homes under the Uniform Dwelling Code, chapters SPS 320 to 325, and decks have their own prescriptive rules in Appendix B. Changes to the deck rules took effect January 1, 2016. Highlights:

Footings must bear on solid ground below the frost penetration level or at least 48 inches below finished grade.
Ledgers must be attached by one of the methods the appendix shows. Attaching to brick or stone veneer or a masonry chimney isn't allowed, which means a freestanding deck. A freestanding deck's footing closer than 5 feet to the house must sit at the same elevation as the house's footing.
Joist spans in the appendix's tables are based on a 40 psf live load and 10 psf dead load. Heavier loads, like a hot tub, need a design beyond the tables.
Guards are required on open sides more than 24 inches above grade, at least 36 inches tall on the deck, and openings can't pass a 4-inch sphere.
Stairs have a maximum riser of 8 inches and a minimum tread of 9 inches, treads can't vary by more than 3/8 inch, and stairs with more than three risers need a handrail 30 to 38 inches above the nosings.

Do you need a permit in Eau Claire?

For most decks, yes. A third-party permit summary for Eau Claire says attached decks need a permit even when they're less than 30 inches above grade, and that covered decks need one too. Inside city limits, permits go through the City of Eau Claire Inspections Division at 203 S. Farwell Street. The city's residential guidance says permits can take two to four weeks to issue, must be in place before work starts, and come with separate inspections, starting with footings before concrete is poured. Towns around the city run their own programs; the Town of Seymour, for example, requires framing plans and at least two inspections for decks built since 2016. Confirm the rules for your address.

Who is allowed to pull the permit?

Under Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 305.31, no one may obtain a building permit for a one- or two-family dwelling without a Dwelling Contractor certification and a certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier on staff. The Department of Safety and Professional Services says Qualifier applicants must first complete 12 hours of approved coursework in dwelling construction. Eau Claire's residential guidance lists the same state credentials and notes that the requirement applies to contractors, not to an owner who lives in the home. You can look up a certification on the state's license lookup before you sign.

What protects you when you sign a contract?

Wisconsin's Home Improvement Practices code, ATCP 110, covers repairs and additions to homes, and its definition names porches and patios among other improvements. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) says a written contract is required by law if any payment is due before the work is done. A good contract lists the company's name and address, the work, the materials, the total price and start and completion dates. DATCP also says that contracts over $25 signed after a sales pitch at your home can be canceled within three business days, and it recommends asking for lien waivers from the contractor, subcontractors and suppliers each time you pay.

How does the climate affect a deck?

Eau Claire has a humid continental climate. January's mean temperature is about 14.4°F, the record low is −45°F, and the city averages roughly 55 inches of snow and 33 inches of precipitation a year. Those conditions are why footing depth gets so much attention: frozen soil lifts shallow footings. Long-lasting snow and humid summers also keep wood wet, so flashing the ledger, protecting joist tops and leaving airflow under the deck pay off.

Questions to ask a builder

What's your Dwelling Contractor certification number, and are you insured?
Who pulls the permit, and which inspections will the job have?
How deep will the footings go, and how will the ledger be attached and flashed?
Do the guards and stairs meet Wisconsin's deck rules?
What's covered by your warranty, and what's covered by the material manufacturer?
Will you provide lien waivers with each payment?

Common questions

How deep do deck footings need to be in Wisconsin?

The state deck code requires footings on solid ground below the frost line or at least 48 inches below finished grade.

At what height does a Wisconsin deck need a railing?

Guards are required on open sides of a deck more than 24 inches above grade, with a minimum height of 36 inches.

Who issues deck permits in Eau Claire?

The City of Eau Claire Inspections Division, 203 S. Farwell Street. Altoona, Chippewa Falls, Menomonie and surrounding towns have their own offices.

Eau Claire deck guide (2026)