THINGS YOUR ELECTRICIAN WISHES YOU KNEW - Decks/Covered Porches/Driveways

Continuing from our previous conversations on clearances, today we will get into spaces around decks driveways and covered porches in relation to the electrical service.

So many times, we go to make a minor repair on a service only to find that a deck has been built over or around the meter and electrical service. Or that a covered porch has been added. Or maybe a new driveway has been poured. It’s not our favorite thing to do, to inform someone that due to their negligence, or the prior owners, the structures will either need to be removed or the electrical service will have to be relocated. This is not to chastise anyone. We are just here to inform and give facts. One fact is certain when we run into these situations. There was no permit pulled and no proper research done prior to construction. Coming from a self-reliant, do it yourself family, I completely
understand both sides.

Facts

Speaking of facts, let’s just start with what the code states about the clearances of these items. Again, there are local and national codes as well as possible HOA specifications to consider.

• The center of meter opening shall between 5 feet to 5 feet 6 inches from the ground.

• There must be 3 feet of clearance in front of and around the meter.