Two options for new deck construction

Imagine strolling out of the back door and straight onto your relaxing deck with a cup of coffee in hand, and sunrise on the horizon. Or gathering with your friends and family for a meal right on the water. Making this dream a reality requires following a multi-step process to ensure protection of the fragile ecosystem in the Delta. 

Design review for decks

Anytime residents want to make exterior modifications, they must go through design review. Any construction on or near the lagoon requires additional consideration and review. Looking for the deck life? Residents can choose from custom designing their deck or licensing ready-made deck plans that carry a few preapprovals.

Walk through the options

Streamlined deck process

Decide to build a standard extended deck

You decide you want to build out a deck and streamline the process. Residents who go this route will use a simple, pre-designed deck plan. The plans for this option have been through design review, BIMID approval, and Contra Costa County permitting processes multiple times over the past few years. 

DCMC does not endorse the plan vendor nor guarantee plan approval by any governing body.

Obtain deck plan licensing

Residents should contact Nate Enriquez, P.E. at Advanced Engineering by email or phone (925-306-0022) to discuss costs and secure licensing for the pre-designed plans. Any changes requested to the standard structural design automatically move this process over to the custom deck category.

Submit for design review

Use the licensed plans and design review checklist to submit your extended deck application for design review at Delta Coves Maintenance Corporation (DCMC). Be sure to include the  lagoon construction application within your design review request.

Obtain BIMID approval

After receiving DCMC approval from your design review and lagoon construction applications, plans must go through the BIMID review process.

Submit for county permits

Once through design review, lagoon construction, and BIMID review processes, deck plans must go to the county for permitting. No construction can be commenced without the correct permits. 

Build your deck

Work with your contractor to schedule and complete construction of your new deck. 

Schedule inspections

All decks must be inspected upon construction completion to ensure they follow the approved plans. Refer to your Residential Design Guidelines (section 7.18.4) for more information on scheduling your BIMID and DCMC inspections.

Submit completion form

Once you have finished the work outlined in your approved design review and lagoon construction forms, return to the resident website to submit the completed residential improvement form. This closes the loop with DCMC.

Custom deck process

Decide to build a custom extended deck

Residents who go this route want to choose their/another professional structural engineer and want or need customized structural changes in their deck design. Structural changes must meet or exceed streamlined plans.

Obtain deck plan licensing

Residents must contract with a professional structural engineer to create deck plans that pass the BIMID and Contra Costa County structural requirements. Insurance and license requirements can be found in the residential design guidelines.

Submit for preliminary BIMID review

Once you have agreed on the plans with your contractor, you must submit for BIMID approval. You will work through revisions with BIMID to ensure levee stability.

Obtain preliminary county approval

After obtaining approval from BIMID, you’ll submit plans to Contra Costa County for approval. 

Submit for design review

Use the BIMID and Contra Costa County approved plans and design review checklist to submit your extended deck application for design review at Delta Coves Maintenance Corporation (DCMC). Be sure to include the lagoon construction application within your design review submission.

Obtain BIMID approval

After receiving DCMC approval from your design review and lagoon construction applications, plans must go back through the BIMID review process for final approval.

Submit for county permits

Once through design review, lagoon construction, and BIMID review processes, deck plans must go to the county for permitting. No construction can be commenced without the correct permits. 

Build your deck

Work with your contractor to schedule and complete construction of your new deck. 

Schedule inspections

All decks must be inspected upon construction completion to ensure they follow the approved plans. Refer to your Residential Design Guidelines (section 7.18.4) for more information on scheduling BIMID and DCMC inspections.

Submit completion form

Once you have finished the work outlined in your approved design review and lagoon construction forms, return to the resident website to submit the completed residential improvement form. This closes the loop with DCMC.

Extend your enjoyment

While building an extended deck can be a long and thorough process, at the end of it all, you’ll have a new way to enjoy waterside living. Reach out to Community Life with questions about the design review process.

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