Free starting design · Ground level deck

Ground level deck plans

Q: Do ground level decks need a permit?

Often not, but check. The IRC model code exempts a deck that is 200 sq ft or less, 30 in or less above grade, not attached to the house and not serving the exit door, but many counties adopt their own rule. Ask your building department before you dig. This plan is 144 sq ft, 2 ft high and freestanding, which is inside that exemption. Attach it to the house, or raise it past 30 in, and the exemption no longer applies.

Q: Does a ground level deck need footings or can it sit on blocks?

Plans for a deck that must pass a building department use footings below the frost depth, as this one does. Deck blocks on soil can shift and heave with frost, so they suit only a small, light deck that your local rules treat as exempt. Ask your building department which applies.

144 sq ft, 2 ft high, freestanding on its own footings.

7 of 10 planner checks passed

Ground level deck plans: the ground level deck drawn in 3D with its decking, stairs

Ground level deck plans: the ground level deck in 3D with its width, depth and height dimensioned

Ground level deck plans: the framing of the ground level deck, with footings, posts, beam, joists and ledger or bracing and no decking

Ground level deck plans: the ground level deck seen from above, with the joist layout under the decking

Drawn by the designer from this plan

Customize this design, free

Preliminary checks against the AWC DCA 6 tables and the IRC. Local approval not checked.

Footprint: 12 ft by 12 ft
Height: 2 ft
Joists: 2x8 at 16 in
Footings: 6, 23 in round

At least $1,542.25 at Home Depot prices in materials, before sales tax, delivery and tools.

Building it? The $49 drawings to prepare your permit application dimension every piece. See sample sheets

About this plan

Ground level deck: footings or blocks, how low is permit free, and how do you get onto it?

Footings or blocks. Deck blocks sit on the soil, so they move when the soil does. This plan uses 6 footings in all, 4 for the posts and the rest for the stair, each 23 in round, 9 in thick, 36 in deep. Blocks are a call for your building department and suit only a small, light deck on firm, well drained ground.

Permit free height. The IRC model code exempts a deck that is 200 sq ft or less, no more than 30 in above grade, not attached to the house and not serving the exit door. At 144 sq ft and 2 ft high, freestanding, this plan fits that model, but many counties adopt their own rule. Make it taller, bigger or attach it and the exemption goes.

Access. At 2 ft above grade the deck needs no guard, but you still have to step up: this plan draws a stair of 4 risers, and the designer lets you set its width and position.

Planner checks

7 of 10 planner checks pass for this ground level deck, 3 to review before you build. Local approval not checked.

No span or size check fails. The 3 items to review (lateral bracing; frost depth; footings near the house) are points only your site or your building department can settle, so they do not make this design unbuildable. Settle them before you dig or order lumber. Each bar is how much of its DCA6 table row a member uses: the span or spacing this plan has against the span or spacing the row allows. A bar at 100% is at the limit, and over 100% fails.

Joist span68% of the DCA6 Table 2 allowance8'-0" here, 11'-10" allowed
Joist cantilever100% of the DCA6 Table 2 overhang allowance2'-0" here, 2'-0" allowed
Beam B0 span97% of the DCA6 Table 3A allowance10'-0" here, 10'-4" allowed
Post height, beam B03% of the DCA6 Table 4 allowance4.5 in here, 14'-0" allowed
Beam B1 span97% of the DCA6 Table 3A allowance10'-0" here, 10'-4" allowed

what this plan uses room to spare

Green passes the rule or the calculation we checked against, amber asks you to look at something before you build, red fails it. These are preliminary checks, not a structural approval; your local building authority reviews and approves.

PassDecking span
This plan
5/4x6 pressure-treated wood on joists at 16 in
Needed
16 in or less
Our default
PassJoist span
This plan
2x8 @ 16 in, span 8'-0"
Needed
11'-10" max (Southern Pine No. 2)
Sources
- American Wood Council (opens in a new tab)
PassJoist cantilever
This plan
2'-0" past the beam
Needed
2'-0" max (lesser of LO and L/4)
Sources
- American Wood Council (opens in a new tab)
PassBeam
This plan
2-2x12 under the joists, posts 10'-0" apart
Needed
10'-4" max
Sources
- American Wood Council (opens in a new tab)
PassPost height
This plan
6x6 posts 0'-5" to the beam
Needed
14'-0" max
Sources
- American Wood Council (opens in a new tab)
PassFootings
This plan
4 footings, 23 in round (or 20 in square), 9 in thick
Needed
DCA6 Table 4 at 1,500 psf
Sources
- American Wood Council (opens in a new tab)
ReviewBefore you build: frost depth
This plan
36 in (default)
Needed
the frost line your building department uses
Sources
- American Wood Council (opens in a new tab)
ReviewBefore you build: footings near the house
This plan
2 footings within 5 ft of the house wall
Needed
bear at the house footing elevation
Sources
- American Wood Council (opens in a new tab)
NoteGrade
This plan
Level yard assumed
Needed
DCA6 tables
Sources
- American Wood Council (opens in a new tab)
OKFraming spans
- Joist span, DCA6 Table 2DCA6 Table 2, Southern Pine 2x8, 16 in o.c.: allows 11'-10", this design has 8'-0"
- Joist cantilever, DCA6 Table 2 overhangDCA6 Table 2 overhang, Southern Pine 2x8, 16 in o.c.: allows 2'-0", this design has 2'-0"
- Beam B0 span, DCA6 Table 3ADCA6 Table 3A, Southern Pine 2-2x12, joists <= 8 ft: allows 10'-4", this design has 10'-0"
- Post height, beam B0, DCA6 Table 4DCA6 Table 4, beam span <= 10 ft, joists <= 10 ft, Southern Pine 6x6: allows 14'-0", this design has 4.5 in
- Beam B1 span, DCA6 Table 3ADCA6 Table 3A, Southern Pine 2-2x12, joists <= 8 ft: allows 10'-4", this design has 10'-0"
- Post height, beam B1, DCA6 Table 4DCA6 Table 4, beam span <= 10 ft, joists <= 10 ft, Southern Pine 6x6: allows 14'-0", this design has 4.5 in
Our span check
Each member is read against its AWC DCA6 table row: it passes when the span is within what the row allows.

Specification

The ground level deck plans, part by part.

The deck

Footprint: 12 ft by 12 ft, 144 sq ft
Height: 2 ft
Attachment: Freestanding
Decking: 5/4x6 pressure-treated wood

Size	12 ft wide by 12 ft out
Wood	Southern Pine, No. 2, pressure-treated
Joist spacing	16 in on center
Stairs	4 risers of 6 in, 36 in wide
Guards	None, the deck is low enough
Frost depth	36 in, default, confirm with your building department
Soil bearing	1,500 psf assumed
Design code	TPP-BT3C-FKT5

The frame, with its DCA6 row

Joists: 2x8 at 16 in
Beam B0: 2-ply 2x12
Beam B1: 2-ply 2x12
Posts: 6x6

Joists	2x8 at 16 in: 10 joists, 11'-9" long, span 8'-0", cantilever 2'-0". DCA6 Table 2, Southern Pine 2x8, 16 in o.c.: allows 11'-10", this design has 8'-0"
Beam B0	2-ply 2x12: 12'-0" long, under the joists, posts 10'-0" apart. DCA6 Table 3A, Southern Pine 2-2x12, joists <= 8 ft: allows 10'-4", this design has 10'-0"
Beam B1	2-ply 2x12: 12'-0" long, under the joists, posts 10'-0" apart. DCA6 Table 3A, Southern Pine 2-2x12, joists <= 8 ft: allows 10'-4", this design has 10'-0"
Posts	6x6: 4 posts, tallest 0'-5". DCA6 Table 4, beam span <= 10 ft, joists <= 10 ft, Southern Pine 6x6: allows 14'-0", this design has 4.5 in
Stair stringers	2x12: 3 stringers, 4 risers of 6 in, 3 treads of 10 in

The footings

Count: 6
Round size: 23 in
Depth: 36 in
Concrete: 38 bags of 80 lb

4 footings	23 in round or 20 in square, 9 in thick, 36 in deep
2 footings	12 in round or 10 in square, 6 in thick, 36 in deep (stair)

Cost

What it takes to build.

Materials at Home Depot prices, about$1,542.25

Framing$417.36
Decking$287.94
Guards and stairs$62.44
Hardware$408.77
Concrete$365.74

Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, prices read 2026-09-30 to 2026-11-04; your store may differ. Quantities and board lengths are exact for this design. Lines marked estimated are priced from a nearby length or another store; special order lines carry no price (special order, price at your lumberyard) and are left out of the total. Before sales tax, delivery, labor and site work.

Decking boards: 28 of 5/4x6 pressure-treated wood
Footings: 6, 38 bags of 80 lb mix
Lines on the list: 19

Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, prices read 2026-09-30 to 2026-11-04; your store may differ. Quantities and board lengths are exact for this design. Lines marked estimated are priced from a nearby length or another store; special order lines carry no price (special order, price at your lumberyard) and are left out of the total. Change the size in the deck designer and the list follows, or try the deck material calculator.

Free and paid, side by side

Design it free. Build it from the $49 plan.

Free

On this page and in the designer, no account

This design in 3D, and every change you make to it
Every planner check, with its rule and source

Cost estimate: At least $1,542.25 at Home Depot prices in materials, line by line, on this page. See the estimate
Summary PDF: The design, its checks and its materials list on a few pages. A summary, not the build drawings.

Customize this design, free

$49 once

The drawings you build from, for the design you finish. 20 sheets for the 16x12 ft attached deck, 3 ft high.

Site plan, framing plan and footing plan, dimensioned
Ledger, post, footing, guard and stair details
The DCA6 span tables used, marked
Member and hardware schedule, cut list and shopping list
Build sequence with inspection checkpoints

Get the $49 plan for this design

You check out in the designer, with this design loaded. If the plan has an error, we fix it or refund you within 30 days. Guarantee terms.

Real sheets from the 20-sheet sample plan for the 16x12 ft attached deck, 3 ft high

The sample was printed on an earlier date, so its prices can differ from the estimate above. Your plan prints the same prices as the estimate.

Cover and project data
Framing plan
Footing plan
Ledger and lateral load details
Member and hardware schedule
Shopping list

Build phases

From the first cut to the last board in 5 phases.

Each picture is this design at the end of its phase, drawn by the designer, with that phase's new parts in color.

01
Layout and footings
Stake the corners and the footing centers, square the layout with the 3-4-5 diagonal check, then dig to 36 in or the frost depth your building department gives and pour the footings.
02
Posts and beam
Set the 6x6 posts on their standoff bases, plumb, cut them to height and fasten the 2-ply 2x12 beam with the post caps.
03
Joists
Hang or rest the 2x8 joists at 16 in on center, with the tie at every beam bearing, and block where the plan shows.
04
Decking
Lay the boards across the joists with the gap the plan gives, two fasteners per joist, and trim the ends to a chalk line.
05
Stairs
Cut the stringers to the rise and run on the plan, set them on their bearing blocks and add the treads, the handrail and the stair guards.

This is the summary. The $49 builder's plan breaks these phases into a build order with the new parts highlighted, a how-to detail and a check at each step.

Read DCA 6, the free deck code guide, table by table before you buy lumber.

Ground level deck plans for a low 12x12 floating-style freestanding deck, 2 ft high, with footings and no guardrail

Questions

Anything else? Write to us or read the questions about all deck plans.

Questions about the ground level plan

Often not, but check. The IRC model code exempts a deck that is 200 sq ft or less, 30 in or less above grade, not attached to the house and not serving the exit door, but many counties adopt their own rule. Ask your building department before you dig. This plan is 144 sq ft, 2 ft high and freestanding, which is inside that exemption. Attach it to the house, or raise it past 30 in, and the exemption no longer applies.

Plans for a deck that must pass a building department use footings below the frost depth, as this one does. Deck blocks on soil can shift and heave with frost, so they suit only a small, light deck that your local rules treat as exempt. Ask your building department which applies.

Sizes to compare

Another size
10x10 deck
Attached deck, 100 sq ft
Joists
2x8 at 16 in
Footings
4
Height
3 ft
Materials at least $1,832.52
View plan: 10x10 deck Customize the 10x10 deck
Another size
12x12 deck
Attached deck, 144 sq ft
Joists
2x8 at 16 in
Footings
4
Height
3 ft
Materials about $2,148.47
View plan: 12x12 deck Customize the 12x12 deck
Another size
12x16 deck
Attached deck, 192 sq ft
Joists
2x8 at 16 in
Footings
5
Height
3 ft
Materials at least $2,490.97
View plan: 12x16 deck Customize the 12x16 deck

All free deck plans

Make the ground level yours.

Change the size and the options. The framing and the materials list follow every change. Free, no account.

Customize this design, free

4	2x12 x 12 ftShelf price	$145.52
12	2x8 x 12 ftShelf price	$236.16
1	6x6 x 8 ftShelf price	$35.68

1	5/4x6 x 8 ftShelf price	$6.88
26	5/4x6 x 12 ftShelf price	$267.28
1	5/4x6 x 16 ftShelf price	$13.78

1	2x12 x 16 ftShelf price	$46.78
1	2x4 x 8 ftShelf price	$4.88
1	4x4 x 8 ftShelf price	$10.78

20	Hurricane tie, joist to beam B0Shelf price	$19.60
4	Post base, 6x6Shelf price	$237.68
4	Post cap, 6x6 post to 2-ply 2x12 beamSpecial order, no price	not priced
2	Deck screw, coated or stainless, #8 or #10Shelf price	$65.94
3	Connector nails or screwsShelf price	$25.65
1	Structural screw, rim to joist endsShelf price	$39.99
3	Stringer connector at the rimShelf price	$8.94
1	#8 wood screw, stringer to bearing blockShelf price	$10.97

38	Concrete mix, 80 lb bagShelf price	$245.86
6	Concrete tube form, 12 in x 4 ftShelf price	$119.88

Ground level deck plans

Ground level deck: footings or blocks, how low is permit free, and how do you get onto it?

7 of 10 planner checks pass for this ground level deck, 3 to review before you build. Local approval not checked.

The ground level deck plans, part by part.

The deck

The frame, with its DCA6 row

The footings

What it takes to build.

Design it free. Build it from the $49 plan.

From the first cut to the last board in 5 phases.

Layout and footings

Posts and beam

Joists

Decking

Stairs

Questions about the ground level plan

Do ground level decks need a permit?

Does a ground level deck need footings or can it sit on blocks?

Sizes to compare

10x10 deck

12x12 deck

12x16 deck

Make the ground level yours.