Is a screened-in porch an enclosed porch?
I have always known screened-in porches to be an enclosed porch. However, I have recently had a disagreement with a Building Official about this and quite frankly have had no luck finding direct proof either way in the Building Codes. He simply claims it is not an enclosure of a porch and when I asked him to show me the proof, he just said it is “in the building code”. I told him the only mention of a screened-in porch that I know of is in Chapter 10 of the IBC, which covers the Means of Egress. And although the specific section actually addresses adding guards if the porch is more than 30″ above the grade, the fact it is in this chapter tells me that adding a screen to a porch basically encloses portions of it and requires identifying the exit access, exit, and exit discharge.
This came about because I wanted to change the material used. He said by removing the screen and using another material, I was enclosing the porch. I argued that it was already enclosed and I was just replacing the material used in what amounts to nothing more than a level 1 alteration. I did not move the exterior or screened-porch doors, add or move any windows, change the vinyl ceiling or soffets, do any plumbing, electrical, or mechanical work, or anything else. He wanted to argue that I was changing the occupancy of the porch, the porch no longer was a porch, and many other nonsensical claims, but the one he ultimately fell back on was that I was now enclosing my porch and I maintain that it was already enclosed. I should add that I have more than 30 years of residential construction experience so I am not coming at this as an inexperienced homeowner just stuck in my ways. If anyone knows of a section that I can directly reference, that would be amazing. Thanks.
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Replies
1. Arguing with a building official is usually counterproductive.
2. The IBC code does not have a definition of enclosed, and does not use the word enclosed. Thus, what is the specific issue about which you need a meeting of the minds? If you are trying to revise a screened in porct to become a sunroom, the code has a say in that. If you are trying to revise it to a conditioned area the code has a say.
Devil is in the details. What specifically is your revision?
I removed the screen (6’ wide x 7’ tall) on two walls and hung sheathing. That’s literally all I did. It’s not a sunroom, I didn’t alter the egress, and I didn’t touch the exterior door to the living room or the screen door to the back yard (so ventilation isn’t an issue either) or anything else. I just wanted to temporarily protect the area a little better with the intention of putting the screen back up in a few months. The Building Official agreed that no building codes are applicable to the work I did (i.e., electrical, plumbing, HVAC, mechanical) but he claims I need a permit because I took a non-enclosed porch and enclosed it.
I’m not really complaining about having to get a permit since that’s what he wants, but I have just never come across a Building Official making this claim, and I wonder how he got the idea that a screened-in porch is not an enclosed porch. It may be just his opinion, but it may also be documented and I’m the one that is actually unaware. I’ve gotten permits before to put up screening on an open and/or partially closed porch specifically because it was enclosing the porch.
Well flip it around
What is the definition of an enclosed porch?
Sheathing might qualify
Then what is temporary?
They don't know it is temporary
A permit defines to the town what you are doing
I'm not looking to argue who is right or wrong and I'm a bit confused why you bring up a permit, because I already got one, so that's not an issue. I thought I was clear that I want to know WHERE I can get the information on whether or not a screened-in porch is enclosed, and what constitutes an enclosed porch. I've been doing this for decades and never once came across a Building Official, or Building Department for that matter, saying a screened-in porch was not an enclosed porch. In fact, I always was required to get a permit to screen-in a porch specifically because it was enclosing it. So again, I'm trying to determine if this is just the Building Official's opinion, or if maybe there is something in the codes that me and all the previous Building Officials I've worked with never knew about or maybe the ICC changed somethig recently.
Unfortunately, this Building Official isn't helpful and just says, "it's in the building code" every time I ask where to reference. And if you looked at the images I provided, you see that I performed that exact search, but nothing tells me where to find this information in the building codes in case this ever comes up again.
The only reason I said "temporary" was to let the previous commenter know that I wasn't doing anything permanent like a sunroom or mudroom to emphasize very little work was done. Again, please don't think I'm arguing against a permit. That's not the case. I simply disagree with him and want to know if anyone knows where to actually find an answer one way or another.
It's not defined in the IRC; I've looked for similar info many times. It might be in the IBC; I'm much less familiar with that code. It may be in your local zoning ordinance.
For what it's worth, I have also been designing porches of various types for a long time and have never considered a screened porch to be enclosed. The screening barely slows weather from getting into the porch and it can't be used as a guardrail. I suppose as far as a bug is concerned it's an enclosure, but not by any other metric that I can think of.
This is the only directly relevant section I have found in the IRC, other than sections relating to egress, glazing or structural design of porches: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2021P1/chapter-2-definitions#IRC2021P1_Pt02_Ch02_SecR201.4.
This is a post in a good forum for discussing building codes: https://www.thebuildingcodeforum.com/forum/threads/deck-porch-patio-balcony.33200/. They can't decide on it either. (I just noticed that the question was asked by code expert Glenn Mathewson, who writes for GBA and FHB. If he doesn't know the answer, there isn't one.)
I was afraid this was the conclusion and it can vary based on individual opinions. Luckily permits for this are pretty simple either way.
Thanks for the reference to that forum. I've already been perusing the posts.
I wonder if it would make any difference if the panels were obviously removable, ex. held in place with window screen turn buttons.
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I would think this is more of a zoning question, feels similar to deck/balcony rules here. If the balcony perimeter is 50% enclosed, it is part of GFA, thus part of building area and setback. If 50% open (by open, mean no structure above 4' height) then it is a balcony/deck and treated differently. Mosquito screen would not be considered enclosed but glass/osb definitely would.
That's my thinking as well. Here, if you deviate from the plans submitted with your permit, you have to go back to zoning review. Because the inspector who's inspecting isn't a zoning expert, he just knows you didn't build what the plan said you were going to build.
Porches and decks are allowed to be closer to the lot line than enclosed space, and in some cases in the public space between the house and the street.