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Stair Tread Minimum

 
 

 

The minimum stair tread is 11 inches, but there are some exceptions.

The minimum stair tread for private stairways is 9 inches.

Again, this is where we could run into problems as architects, contractors and building department officials. Just exactly how do you interpret a private stairway. My interpretation of this particular building code is that a private stairway would be a stairway used in a single-family residence with less than 10 occupants.

 

The 2000 International Building Code states that a 10 inch minimum tread width is acceptable as long as you have a 1 inch nosing. Getting confused yet. This was for R-2 and R-3 building types.
 

Attention: Don't forget to check with your local building department to verify any building codes on this website. This information could be incorrect or outdated. Building codes are updated regularly and to some building departments have different interpretations for certain building codes.

Other building code books use different verbiage to describe this particular building code, but the end result is basically this. The minimum stair tread for almost anything used by the public is 11 inches, with the exception of a single-family private residence, where the minimum stair tread can be 9 inches in depth.

How Do We Measure the Stair Tread Width? If you look at the picture above, the actual stair tread width is measured from the upper stair tread nosing, to the lower stair tread nosing. These measurements will be horizontal or right to left, not vertical up and down.
 

 

Maximum Rise   Minimum Stair Clearance   Stair Guard Railing  Stair Handrail Extensions  Improper Riser Spacing

Stair Handrail  Grip Able Handrail Building Code  Baluster Spacing

 

A.D.A Building Codes

Free Standing Over Hanging Objects

Legend or Graphic Conventions

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