Review Building Codes — Verify with Local Building Codes

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How to Measure and Plan Treads for a Split-Level Staircase · Step 8 of 8

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Before starting any stair construction, it is crucial to research and understand the local building codes in your area. The presenter highlights common general codes that apply to his location. These include a maximum riser height (e.g., 7 3/4 inches), a minimum tread depth (e.g., 10 inches), a minimum stair width (e.g., 36 inches), a minimum headroom clearance (e.g., 80 inches to finished ceiling), and a required handrail height (e.g., 34-38 inches). While these are general, specific local codes may vary, so always verify them before construction to ensure safety and compliance.

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let's get started. Tip number one, be sure to build the stairs per code in your area. I'm going to go over the codes that I must follow in my area, and they may or may not pertain to your area. They are very general codes, but again, check the local building codes that you're building in because they may be totally different. The first one is max rise, also known as riser height, can be no more than in my area. So, between step to step, I cannot have any greater than 73/4 inch, and in fact, most people prefer a 71/2 inch riser, but in my area, I can do a max of 73/4 inch. So, that's a very important one to follow because the steeper the step, the more difficult it is to go up, and the more unsafe they are the steeper they are. So, definitely check your local building codes for that. Second, the minimum run I must have is no less than 10 inches. I can have greater than 10 inches, but it cannot be any shorter than that wherever the tread's going to be placed, and that's going to again give you a comfortable step. We always go for around 10 1/2, even 11 sometimes, because again, it's more comfortable that way. So, that's going to be a general code I must follow here. Next is the minimum width. We must have at least 36 inch wide steps, and that also goes for our landing because any smaller than that, again, it's going to be too narrow and uncomfortable and more dangerous, so we must have at least 36 inch wide steps. Next, in my area, I must have a minimum of 80 inch headroom clearance to the finished head height. So, that is not to the framing, that's after the drywall's installed and the complete ceiling is in, we cannot have our head height any less than 80 in at any area of the step. And if you'd like to see more details about that, I made a detailed video reframing the stair opening where I go step-by-step in how we had to reconfigure this area for the headroom. So, if you want to check that out, I'll put a link to it in the description below. Next code in my area I must follow is handrail height. We must have a 34 to 38 in handrail height, somewhere in that range. Just so when you're going down the steps, you can grab onto the handrail and it's safe and comfortable. Those are the codes that I must follow in my area when I build my steps. So, let's move on to the second

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Review Building Codes — Verify with Local Building Codes

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4 hours

Part of project

How to Measure and Plan Treads for a Split-Level Staircase · Step 8 of 8

Was this clip helpful?

In this video

Before starting any stair construction, it is crucial to research and understand the local building codes in your area. The presenter highlights common general codes that apply to his location. These include a maximum riser height (e.g., 7 3/4 inches), a minimum tread depth (e.g., 10 inches), a minimum stair width (e.g., 36 inches), a minimum headroom clearance (e.g., 80 inches to finished ceiling), and a required handrail height (e.g., 34-38 inches). While these are general, specific local codes may vary, so always verify them before construction to ensure safety and compliance.

7.6K views486

Video Transcript

(2,310 characters)

Hide

let's get started. Tip number one, be sure to build the stairs per code in your area. I'm going to go over the codes that I must follow in my area, and they may or may not pertain to your area. They are very general codes, but again, check the local building codes that you're building in because they may be totally different. The first one is max rise, also known as riser height, can be no more than in my area. So, between step to step, I cannot have any greater than 73/4 inch, and in fact, most people prefer a 71/2 inch riser, but in my area, I can do a max of 73/4 inch. So, that's a very important one to follow because the steeper the step, the more difficult it is to go up, and the more unsafe they are the steeper they are. So, definitely check your local building codes for that. Second, the minimum run I must have is no less than 10 inches. I can have greater than 10 inches, but it cannot be any shorter than that wherever the tread's going to be placed, and that's going to again give you a comfortable step. We always go for around 10 1/2, even 11 sometimes, because again, it's more comfortable that way. So, that's going to be a general code I must follow here. Next is the minimum width. We must have at least 36 inch wide steps, and that also goes for our landing because any smaller than that, again, it's going to be too narrow and uncomfortable and more dangerous, so we must have at least 36 inch wide steps. Next, in my area, I must have a minimum of 80 inch headroom clearance to the finished head height. So, that is not to the framing, that's after the drywall's installed and the complete ceiling is in, we cannot have our head height any less than 80 in at any area of the step. And if you'd like to see more details about that, I made a detailed video reframing the stair opening where I go step-by-step in how we had to reconfigure this area for the headroom. So, if you want to check that out, I'll put a link to it in the description below. Next code in my area I must follow is handrail height. We must have a 34 to 38 in handrail height, somewhere in that range. Just so when you're going down the steps, you can grab onto the handrail and it's safe and comfortable. Those are the codes that I must follow in my area when I build my steps. So, let's move on to the second

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