builder question - footings

[easter bunny]

The city is putting me through a ton of red tape to construct a 12x14 open rafter pergola on my patio. This is just to provide a little shade over the table and pretty up the backyard. It's free standing on a paver blocks. I'd like to stay on the good side of the bureaucrats so I'm filing all the proper paperwork and permits.

Each corner will be 4 - 4x4 posts arranged in a square. Think of the 4 corners of a tic tac toe board. What's the easiest way to anchor these to the ground and meet code? It's a paver patio so I can't just screw in an anchor. Do I have to anchor all 4 posts on each corner or just 1? Do I really need to sink a sonotube 2 feet down for something with no roof? According to section 1809.5, I'm exempt from frost protection, but it doesn't say what's acceptable. Can't I just drive rebar a few feet down and epoxy it to a hole drilled in the bottom of the post or something equally simple?

 

[DTM74]

Do you even need a permit for the pergola?...doesn't seem that big.

I would think a post base w/ anchor into concrete/attach to post would suffice. But just a guess as not sure of Reno building codes.

 

[Caddywumpus]

Make it giant patio furniture.

 

[budman]

Rebar in ground equals rust. No go.

Small footing should work. Most cities have a standard detail book. Plans required.

More and more they are saying get an architect.

Good luck.

 

[Bronto]

This should make the inspector happy.

Can bring the pavers right next to the post anchor. Just allow that baseplate to be above the paver surface. Its about rot prevention and easy post replacement. Sorry it looks so utilitarian. Using treated lumber is optional, a trade off of asthetics for super logevity.

 

[gixxerjeff]

More and more they are saying get an architect.

:spam
:teeth

 

[Schnellbandit]

Check your codes carefully. A pergola is also an open structure, often exempted from permits. If you have a building like a storage shed or tool shed within 50' then usually that is where the permit comes in.

When you read the codes, look for what is exempt. If you just go to the sections about structures you can get caught in the trap of not knowing what you don't know.

Most counties and cities have a specific exemption list, see if an open structure is listed and what sizes you can have. Are building it or is it a prefab big box store model?

 

[BURNROPE]

Try going to the building department during counter hours with a rough plan and see what they want you to do. Usually they are helpful, especially if you're trying to do things right.

 

[Junkie]

This should make the inspector happy.

Can bring the pavers right next to the post anchor. Just allow that baseplate to be above the paver surface. Its about rot prevention and easy post replacement. Sorry it looks so utilitarian. Using treated lumber is optional, a trade off of asthetics for super logevity.

My understanding is that the newer PT lumber is nowhere near as good as the old stuff.

 

[easter bunny]

Do you even need a permit for the pergola.

A pergola is also an open structure, often exempted from permits.

Yup - everything here needs a permit. Decks, fences, patios, sheds, and any patio covering including pergolas and gazebos.

Rebar in ground equals rust.

I hadn't thought of that. Good point.

This should make the inspector happy.

That would - but I'm trying to avoid concrete. It's just a giant pain in the ass and I really don't want to disturb the pavers any more than I have to. Because I'll never get them back in and level.

Thanks for all the help. I've done an elevation, a detail of the headers calling out the lumber dimensions and hardware, and a footing detail using the anchors below. I'll take it to the planning dept and see what they say. Whether I can pound these things 2 feet down in desert rock is another story.

 

[budman]

:spam
:teeth

:laughing

I don't do residential. One wife telling me her opinion on my work is enough.

 

[Mr. White]

That would - but I'm trying to avoid concrete.

I don't think you can do it any other way. It's best to get your posts off the ground and anchored (to concrete).

 

[bcj]

Hang a love seat from it and tell them it's a swingset.

 

[madsen203]

Hang a love seat from it and tell them it's a swingset.

Win!