Stair Building Codes
Click Here For Stair Building Code Questions And Answers
Stair building codes apply to any stairway that has more than two risers. However, like most building codes, this one can be confusing. Even if you're building one step, it wouldn't be a bad idea to make sure that it meets your local building codes.
What Are Building Codes?
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 This information could be incorrect or outdated.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.
When dealing with your local building department a wise
step, would be to get all your products and installation methods pre
approved, before you build. It costs less if you only have to do it
once! The building inspector will make you tare your work apart and redo
it to meet the building codes in the area, if it's not done properly. I
cannot stress this enough check with the local building authorities in
your city or county before building any stairs. If you're not going to
contact the building permit, then for your safety try to follow the
building codes on this page to maximize safety.
Risers
- Maximum Rise
- Maximum Total Stairway Rise
- Maximum Angle of the Stair Risers
- Closed Stairway Riser Options
- Maximum Variation in Stair Risers
- Closed Treads and Open Risers
- What's an Open Riser Staircase?
- Problems with Open Risers Stairways
- Painted Riser For Safety
- Private Walkway Riser Problem
Treads
- Stair Tread Minimum
- Stair Tread Nosing Requirements
- Concrete Stair Step Warning Lines
Floors And Landings
- Floor and Landing Overhang
- Minimum Stair Clearance
- Exterior Stairways - 2 Stories or Less
- Exterior Stairways - 3 Stories or More
- Stair Landing Minimum Widths
- Stair Landing Width and Doors
- Doors in Stair Landings
- Door Swing Clearance In Landing
- Maximum Landing Length -Straight Run Stairs
Guardrailing And Handrailing
- Stair Guard Railing
- Upper Guard Rail with 8 Inch Maximum Spacing
- Baluster Spacing
- Lower Guardrail Problem
- Baluster Spacing Building Code Gray Area
- One Handrail Entry Stairs
- Gripable Handrail
- Continuous Stairway Handrailing
- Lower Handrail Extension
- Upper Handrail Extension
- Gripable Handrail Size
- Gripable Handrail Height
- Testing Stairway Handrails - Concentrated Load of 200 P.S.I.
- Gripable Stair Banisters
- Stairways Requiring Only One Hand Rail
- Stairways Requiring Hand Rail on Each Side
- Three or More Handrails for Wide Stairways
- Bottom Stairway Problem
- Do I Need a Guard Rail?
- Guardrail Problems with Sloping Yard
- House Entrance with Hand Railing
- Business Stairs Without Guard Rail
- Stairway Without Guard Railing
- Maximum Handrail Projection
Circular And Curved Stairs
- Circular Stairways
- Minimum inside Radius for Circular Stairs
- Minimum Stair Tread Measurements for Circular Stairs
- Spiral Stairway
- Spiral Stairway Tread Minimum
- Spiral Stairway Access Areas
- Spiral Stairway Minimum Headroom Clearance
Doors And Windows
- Windows Around Stairways
- Windows at the Top of Stairway
- Windows at the Bottom of Stairway
- Windows in Stairway Landing
- Exit Stairways
- Maximum Rise - House Door Swings In
Other Stair Building Codes
- Equipment Access Stairs
- Minimum Stairway Width
- Skirt Boards and Decorative Trim
- Sloping Public Walkways
- One Inch per Foot Slope
- Painted Stairway Warning Stripe
- Fire Blocking for Stairways
- Fire Department Access - Four-Story Buildings
- Minimum Stair Lift Passage for Stairway
- Replacing Existing Stairways
- Outdoor Stairways
- Stairway Walks Line
- Ship Ladders

