Am I in the city or not? Help

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by mesmer

There's nothing here that says someone would need a permit from the city for a deck that's not in the city:

Permitting Requirements for the City of Austin

You must not understand what you are reading on that site. It does say (note the parts I underlined):

Extra-territorial Jurisdiction (not limited purpose annexation) – The extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) is that area extending five miles outside the City of Austin corporate limits. All development in the ETJ is required to obtain site plan (development permit) approvals or site plan exemptions from the City. In addition, plumbing and/or electrical permits may be required if the project is served by City utilities (ETJ fees will be assessed in addition to the permit fees). Development and driveway permits are required by Travis County and Hays County.
All areas inside the city limits and/or ETJ (other commonly required approvals):

• Austin/Travis County Health Department permits, if the project needs a septic system or if it is a sanitary land fill or salvage yard. LCRA has jurisdiction for permits for septic tanks adjacent to Lake Travis.
• US Fish and Wildlife Service permits for endangered species habitats.
• Texas Water Commission permit for projects over the Edwards Aquifer.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Corps of Engineers approval for drainage modifications.
• Projects involving single family boat docks, earthwork, site clearing, utilities, and street and drainage improvements require a site plan (development permit) or site plan exemption. Boat docks also require building and electrical (if lighted) permits along Lake Austin.

Construction of a deck could impact drainage patterns, could involve earthwork and site clearing and does increase the impervious cover on the site, which I am pretty sure does require a site plan review and or site plan exemption. Of course many people just play ignorant and pretend like they do not know that is a requirement and build decks as they please. 50% of an uncovered wood or similar deck area has to be counted as impervious cover. If the total amount of impervious cover (all structures, roofs, sheds, paving, driveways, patios, sidewalks and decks) on your site is less than 45% you are OK. More than that is not allowed as it increases the amount of rain run off during storms, which contributes to flooding.

[Dsavoy1961]

It's amazing what you learn. My new acronym for the day JTE. I will head to the website and try and find out. I know I need HOA approval and I thought the HOA would know but they are unsure as well.