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  1. #1
    Joe Skroko's Avatar
    Joe Skroko Guest

    Default Chicago Roof Access

    I have a 3 story 7 unit building on the northside of Chicago and I just had new decks built. I used to have stairs leading to the roof for easy access to repairs. Can I add stairs to the new deck for Landlord/Manager access only? There will be absolutely no access to tenants or children with a locked door being present. What are the codes? Can this be done because when I need to re flash a parafit wall or fix a leak in the sky light, a ladder is a pain.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Chicago
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    928

    Default Re: Chicago Roof Access

    Quote Originally Posted by Joe Skroko View Post
    I have a 3 story 7 unit building on the northside of Chicago and I just had new decks built. I used to have stairs leading to the roof for easy access to repairs. Can I add stairs to the new deck for Landlord/Manager access only? There will be absolutely no access to tenants or children with a locked door being present. What are the codes? Can this be done because when I need to re flash a parafit wall or fix a leak in the sky light, a ladder is a pain.
    Hi Joe
    You need to file for a permit.


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Chicago IL
    Posts
    2,048

    Default Re: Chicago Roof Access

    It would have been easier if you had done these stairs as part of the porch build. I'm assuming the stairs will come up off the 3rd floor deck to the roof. Technically, you do need a permit for this. What some people do is get a porch permit and build the stairs as part of the porch. Depending on conditions a city inspector may or may not notice.
    Since this building is most likely an annual a city inspector may either notice or wonder about it in coming years. Hopefully for you he'll assume it was part of the porch build. This is all assuming you built a new treated lumber rear wood porch per Code, permit and city plan or Arch plan.
    Unless you are absolutely going to build a full wall and door around this staircase I would advise against it. Any type of accessible stairs could be a temptation for tenants on a nice night when you aren't around.

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