Ledger on Fireplace bumpout

[Unregistered]

I have a 16x18 deck to be build. The deck has to wrap around a fireplace bumpout which is about 3 feet deep and 6 feet wide. I am in Virginia, what is the code, on attaching a ledger to the fireplace bumpout? The contractor said he cannont end the decking where the fireplace is so that he has to extend it beyond it about 4 feet. I just want to make sure he is not inventing something just to get a big order.

Thank you

Kumars