Before you get quotes
Sun Prairie says a pergola needs a permit only when it is attached to a building, and a roof over a deck pushes setbacks farther from the lot line. The state appendix excludes concentrated loads over 40 psf, such as snow drift or sliding snow, from its standard design. A roof needs its own engineering.
- Open slats or a water-shedding roof
- Attached to the house or freestanding
- Snow load from the main roof
- Setbacks for a roofed deck
Sources: Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, SPS 325 Appendix B · City of Sun Prairie Building Inspection, Decks, Gazebos & Pergolas. Checked November 9, 2026. Confirm current requirements with your building inspector.
Near Madison
Price check
See the Madison deck cost guide for 2026 published price ranges and permit fees from Madison and Verona.
Related
Questions about roofed decks & pergolas
Are you the deck builder?
An independent builder you hire directly. This is a Madison-area referral site, so we pass your request along; we do not build, price or guarantee anything.
Does a pergola need a permit in Sun Prairie?
Only if it is attached to a building, per the city.
Can a roof go on my old deck?
Not without checking. The state appendix’s design excludes concentrated loads over 40 psf.
Is a permit needed?
In Madison, yes: the city says you need a permit to build a deck. Fitchburg requires one for decks 24 inches or more above grade, Sun Prairie wants a drawing and site plan, and Verona lists a $300 deck permit. Each Dane County community sets its own rules.