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This guideline is intended to provide the homeowner/contractor with the basic information needed to apply for a building permit to construct most simple patio covers.

1. Fill out and sign application for a building permit.

2. Submit four (4) separate copies of your plot (site) plan drawn to scale showing existing structures and the proposed patio cover addition and its perpendicular distances to the lot lines and from other structures on the lot, if any.
   

   Site plans must show water run-off (use of arrows to indicate flow of water).

3. Obtain zoning approval from the St. Louis County Department of Public Works (if unincorporated) or from municipality. In municipalities, site plans must be marked "Approved" and Municipal Approval Form submitted prior to permit issuance.

4. Submit four (4) separate complete sets of building construction plans drawn to scale containing the following:

   Foundation/Floor Plans @ 1/4" = 1'-0"
   Elevations @ 1/4" = 1'-0"
   Sections and Details @ 3/4" = 1'-0"
   

   Include one of the following with your submittal depending on the choice of roof framing system:

   1. If by conventional method, indicate size and spacing of rafters, ceiling joists and/or ties on the sections and details included in the plans submitted.
   2. If by the "truss" method, submit four (4) copies of the engineer's sealed truss plan which can be obtained from the lumber dealer or the "truss" fabricator. Trusses to comply with AFPA NDS-91 and TPI 1-95.

5. All electrical work (if proposed) must be performed in accordance with St. Louis County Codes and Ordinances by a licensed electrical contractor or a pre-authorized Homeowner who by examination has demonstrated the necessary knowledge and ability to perform the work.

Refer to the attached drawings and the following listing of common code requirements pertaining to most simple attached patio covers for additional information that needs to be included on the building construction plans.

Foundation
Minimum 8" diameter piers flared at bottom as necessary to support transferred loads. (Note: A continuous 6" x 12" footing minimum 30" below grade with an 8" foundation wall extending 8" above grade should be used if considering a future screened enclosure.)

Structural Framing

1. Indicate size, spacing, fiber stress, type and grade of wood for roof rafters and ceiling joists. Indicate roof pitch. Show rafter and ceiling joist framing or pre-fab truss layout on plans.
2. Indicate size, fiber stress, type and grade of lumber of all wood beams and columns.
3. Exterior structural framing shall be preservative-treated (Wolmanized) or naturally durable (cedar, etc.) wood.

Roof Sheathing
Where trusses or rafters are spaced 24" o.c. roof panel sheathing shall be a minimum of 1/2" thick without edge support or a minimum of 3/8" thick with edge support. Edge support shall be tongue-and-groove edges, panel edge clips (at mid-point between each support) or 2X lumber blocking. Nailing shall be 6d common for 3/8" and 1/2" sheathing and 8d common for sheathing greater than 1/2" (location - 6" o.c. along edges, 12" o.c. intermediate).

Roofing Underlayment and Covering
All underlayment to be a minimum of Type 1 per ASTM D226-95. (Type 1 is commonly called No. 15 asphalt felt.)

Corrosion-resistant metal flashing is required at all roof intersections, roof and wall intersections, intersection with chimneys, intersection at exterior walls and patio cover roofs, etc. Rolled roofing or two (2) layers of Type 1 underlayment may be substituted for flashing at the roof valley provided the shingles are interlaced.

The underlayment shall be installed to extend at least 18 inches beyond a roof valley or hip from either direction.

Minimum roof slope 1/4:12 with approved low-slope roof covering materials.

Asphalt roll roofing installed on roofs of less than 3:12 shall be applied parallel to the eaves. It shall not be installed on roof slopes below 1:12. A single layer of underlayment is required when less than 4:12.

Asphalt and fiberglass shingles shall be laid with a single layer of Type 1underlayment applied in shingle fashion over the entire roof for all roof slopes less than 4 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (4:12). Asphalt shingles shall not be installed on roof slopes below 2 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (2:12).

An ice shield is required under the shingles/roofing of 2 layers of Type 1 underlayment cemented together or of an approved waterproofing membrane from the edge of the eave to at least 24" inside the exterior wall line where (a) the roof slope is greater than or equal to 4:12 and the eave overhang is less than 12" measured horizontally from the sheathing to the outside face of the gutterboard, or where (b) the roof slope is less than 4:12 and greater than or equal to 2:12.

The preceding requirements apply to most simple patio cover projects, however, the Plan Reviewer may determine that unusual circumstance dictates the need for additional information on any particular project.

For more information on building a Patio Covers, please visit the following Patio Covers sites.

Plot Plan - 46K
Elevations and Detail Drawing - 81K  (Print in Landscape)

Revised 2/9/98

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