Sorry, could you clarify - would the false balcony work if we still had the sliding rear door?
If the false balcony only needs to be a 4" deep - that would be a great solution and would probably be the best option to keep from blocking the view for people pulling out.
The front door being allowed to have the balcony is not an issue, you can do it, as long as, the local AHJ zoning laws allows it and I believe with your situation they would prefer it over a set of steps.
The false balcony issue can be put anywhere, as long as, your primary means of egress door is in place somewhere else in the home, which is what you INsurance company has their nickers in an uproar about. Currently your designated M.O.E. door is a hazard for exiting.
So you need to install another designated M.O.E. door to satisfy the insurance carrier and the local AHJ.
You could do it by replacing the sliding door with a French door, seems to be the simplest way, pretty sure you can get a direct replacement for the opening and you are already using that as your entrance.
to Keep the sliding door you would need to find another location and cut a new M.O.E. door in there.
- it can be were you have a existing window
- or directly through a wall
- or again replace the sliding door with a hinged one
The sliding door replacement does not require you building a new landing and stair flight on the outside.
But you need to have one compliant and established "Means of Egress Door" (M.O.E) with proper exit to ground level outside the home.
- You don't
- Your currently designated M.O.E. has no proper landing and stair flight outside, your existing front door is non-compliant.
- Your current sliding door does not comply as a M.O.E. Door, it is not side hinged.
- Simple fix, install a side hinged door someplace exiting the home with proper landing and stair flight.
You Insurance company does not care where, they only care you don't currently have one that is compliant for an emergency.
