Fence or deck costs in Davenport

Davenport sits on the Mississippi, with nearly 100 miles of streambank in the city, and that shapes any outdoor project here. The city says any new construction, remodel or major repair on property in the floodplain needs a floodplain development permit. That comes on top of the usual building permits. If your back yard runs toward the river or a creek, ask the city for a floodplain review of your lot before you plan a deck.

Outside the floodplain, the rules are lighter. A fence on residential property up to 6 feet tall needs no permit. A deck can skip one too, but only if it meets every condition: no more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to the house, not serving a door and not over a basement. So a deck off your kitchen door needs a permit, even a low one.

Winter is the other force. The weather station across the river in Moline averages 133 days a year with a low of 32°F or colder, and about 33 inches of snow. Ground that freezes and thaws that often heaves posts set too shallow. When a fence line starts leaning after a few winters, short posts are a likely reason.

The metro also takes in Moline and Rock Island on the Illinois side, under different state law.