Heated (conditioned) vs. Unheated (unconditioned) Spaces
The concept of heated or unheated space is pretty simple right? Many detached storages, shops or garages, etc. are unheated while your house is heated.
Why is that important?
There are a few building code requirements that kick in once the structure becomes heated. An unheated space, in theory, will follow the exterior temperatures as they move up and down. Without that heat or cooling source, your exterior walls aren't fitting the temperature outside. Unconditioned structures also don't have the safety concerns of a single-family residence where people sleep, eat and reside. If the concrete floor or footings move and shift on a detached, unheated space, the safety hazards are minimal.
Switch gears over to a heated space and all of a sudden you have the convergence of different temperatures smacking into each other all day on your exterior walls. This can cause these structures to move, expand, contract and adjust at different rates. For example, in colder temperatures, the soils outside your exterior walls will freeze while the soils inside your foundation walls will not. This can cause things to heave, move and crack if your footings are not below the established frost line for your area.
This is why attaching any structures to your house like a deck, patio roof cover, carport, etc. will kick in
the requirement for a permit and inspections of the structure. Not only does your local building department want a safe structure for you but they want to make sure your footings are below the frost line since the structure is attached to the house.
Quick tip: if you are looking to build a structure and it can be built without attaching to the house, it might remove the requirement for a permit. Something worth looking into if you are building a deck, patio roof cover, carport, etc.!
Good luck on your project!!
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