A Georgetown deck permit takes a site survey, construction drawings and an impervious cover worksheet, then fifteen to twenty business days of plan review and two inspections.
At a Glance
- Decks are on the city permit list
- Survey, drawings and cover math
- 15 to 20 business days of review
- Setback and final inspections
Everything on this page comes from the City of Georgetown's own permit pages, checked in October 2026. Rules change, so we link each one. When the city page does not give a number, we say so and point you to the city.
Step 1. Know That Decks Need a Permit
The city permit list names Deck, Patio and Patio Cover (Including Pergola). Carports, sun rooms and garage conversions are on the list too. The page lists no exemption that covers decks, patios, patio covers or pergolas. So plan on a permit for your deck.
Step 2. Get the Site Survey
The city wants an official Site surveyA drawing made by a land surveyor. It shows your lot lines, the house and where the new deck will go.. It must show your property lines and the new deck, with its size. The construction drawings go with it. Many homes already have a survey from the sale, so check your closing papers.
Step 3. Show the Impervious Cover Math
Georgetown asks for Impervious coverHard surfaces that rain cannot soak into. Georgetown asks for this math with a deck permit, and the city sets the limits on its impervious cover page. numbers with a deck permit. They go on the survey site plan or on an impervious cover worksheet. Impervious cover has its own page on the city site, linked from the permit list. That page holds the limits. We do not print a limit here because the city's page is the place to check it for your lot.
Step 4. Wait for Plan Review
The city deck and patio permit page says to allow fifteen to twenty business days for plan review. That is three to four weeks, not counting holidays. Pergolas, arbors and patio covers move faster. The city patio cover page says about ten business days.
Step 5. Plan for the 6 Foot Note
The city says plans with an engineer's stamp may be required if a deck is more than 6 feet high. If your yard slopes, measure the tallest corner first. See raised decks for more.
Step 6. Pass the Setback Inspection
Before the deck goes up, there is a Setback inspectionAn early visit from a city inspector. The pins are dug up and a string line shows the outline of the deck, so the inspector can check its place on the lot.. The property Iron pinsMetal markers a surveyor sets in the ground at the corners of your lot. Inspectors use them to check how far the deck sits from the lot line. must be found and dug out. A string line marks the outline of the deck. The inspector checks where it sits on the lot.
Step 7. Pass the Final
When the deck is done, there is a building final inspection. The iron pins stay open for it. Inspections are booked on the city's MGO Connect site, and a request in by 3 in the afternoon gets a visit the next business day.
Lights, Fans and Covers
If your project has electrical work, the city says more permits and inspections may apply. A pergola or cover on top of a deck has its own path on the patio cover page.
Your HOA Comes First
Many Georgetown neighborhoods, including Sun City Texas, have an HOA. HOA rules are separate from city rules. Ask your HOA what they need before you send plans to the city, so you do not draw the deck twice.
Questions About Permit Guide
Can I start building while the permit is in review?
No. Wait for the permit. The first inspection is the setback check, and the inspector wants to see the deck outline before it is built.
Who keeps the iron pins open?
The pins have to be found and dug out for the setback inspection and stay open for the final. We take care of that on our jobs.
What if my survey is old or lost?
Check your closing papers first. Many homes have a survey from the sale. If you cannot find one, a land surveyor can make a new one.