Patio Covers in Arden-Arcade, CA

Wood and aluminum covers for mid-century ranch homes

Much of the housing here is mid-century, and on a single-story house with low eaves the roofline sets the options: a low fascia leaves little height for a cover that slopes away from the house, so many installers attach above the fascia with a roof-mounted bracket or raise the cover on a header.

Repair or replace an older cover

Covers built decades ago often show the same problems: a ledger that was never flashed, rot where rafters meet the beam, posts sitting in wet concrete, and sag from spans that would not pass today's tables. A licensed installer can tell you whether a new beam or posts will do or whether the structure should come down. If the fix needs a building permit, California's $1,000 minor-work exemption does not apply. See patio cover repair.

Sacramento County permits

Arden-Arcade is unincorporated, so the Sacramento County Building Permits & Inspection Division, (916) 875-5296, handles patio cover permits. Its counter at 827 7th Street, Room 102, and its Goethe Road office are both open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Attached covers: permit at any size. Detached under 120 sq ft: exempt.
• Standard design GI-38 covers attached lattice and solid covers.
• Anything that is not conventional light-frame construction needs engineer-stamped plans.
• Keep clear of utility and maintenance easements and the front and street-side setbacks.

See the permit guide.

Mature oaks and big shade trees

Arcade Creek takes its name from the arcade of native oaks that once shaded it, and many lots still have large trees. Overhanging limbs drop debris into gutters and lattice, and roots matter when footings go in. Ask the installer to look at both.