your DECK BUILDING CODE tips checklist

Find out WHAT the irc says about building code requirements for decks.













What you will notice from this checklist is that there is not really a specific deck building code per se. Rather, there are sections of the Residential CodeThat Apply to building standards related to structures such as  railings, stairs, stringers, treads, footings, framin and ledger boards . We've tried to summarize them and put them all together for you.

1st deck RAILINGS

deck railings

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

  • 36 "minimum height when surface is 30" + above grade
  • 200 lb concentrated load
  • 50 lb concentrated load over 1 sqft or balusters
  • 50 lbf vertical and horizontal load along top rail
  • 4 "maximum gap between deck and underside of bottom rail
  • 4 "maximum gap between balusters
  • 34 "minimum stair rail height from nosing to top of rail

MORE BUILDING code topics

HEIGHT DIAGRAMS: US and Canada. Thirty-six inches is the most common residential height, but some jurisdictions vary.  

DECK RAILING CODE - US

USA RAIL HEIGHT FOR RESIDENCES

  • Guardrails are required once the deck is 30 ″ or more above grade.
  • A 36 ”rail measured from the top of rail to the deck surface is required.
  • California is the one exception where they Require 42 "guards.
DECK RAILING CODE - CANADA

CANADA RESIDENTIAL RAIL HEIGHT AND DIMENSIONS

  • Guards are required when then deck is 24 "(60 cm) above grade.
  • The minimum height of the railing varies based on the height of the deck.
  • Decks 24 "to 5-10" (180 cm) need 36 "guards and anything above 5-10" requires a 42 "high railing. 
apartment complex with balconies and deck railings

CANADIAN CODES

Different guardrail heights at different elevations above grade for Canadians.

Titan Wood Post Anchor

Joist connected posts

Did you know there are at least nineteen different possible ways of securing posts into the framing.

Deck Railings

Design and safety factors

USA, CA, UK, AUS. Understand what design loads and safety factors for testing are.

Snap'n Lock Baluster

BALUSTER CALCULATOR

 Find out  exactly how many balusters or pickets you need with a single click.

Glass Railings

FORUM TALK

Chat about every esoteric  railing topic  under the sun. 

RESPECT MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS

Safety is important and something that should always supersede style.

Now that you know how high you have to build your railings, follow up by reading these other more detailed discussions on style and design ideas.

2.  LEDGER BOARD REQUIREMENTS

ledger board

TIPS

  • Through bolts, lag screws or expansion anchors should be at least 1/2 "in diameter.
  • Lag screws must go through band board at least 1/2 ".
  • Lags must be hot zinc coated or stainless.
  • Locate upper bolts at least 2 "below the top edge of ledger.
  • Locate upper and lower bolts maximum 5.5 "/ 6.5" / 7.5 "apart vertically for 2x8 / 10/12 respectively.
  • Ledger board width must be => deck joist width but = <rim joist width.
  • Minimum size is 2x8.
  • Corrosion resistant flashing is required for connecting to wood framed buildings.

ledger board requirements in a nutshell

A well built deck ledger board connection

Connection Diagrams:   FIVE DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES

1/2" Lag Screws

1/2 ”LAYER SCREWS

1/2” Carriage Or Cap Bolts

1/2 ”CARRIAGE OR CAP BOLTS

Wood Frame With Spacer

WOOD FRAME WITH SPACER 

Concrete foundation wall

CONCRETE FOUNDATION WALL

Cinder Block Wall

CINDER BLOCK WALL

3. STAIRS

deck stair

REMEMBER THESE THINGS

  • Minimum 36 ”at all points above the permitted handrail height
  • Minimum 31.5 "width below handrail height where handrail is on one side
  • Minimum 27 "width below handrail where handrails are on both sides
  • Maximum rise of 7-3 / 4 ”- maximum difference among risers 3/8"
  • Minimum tread width of 10 "- maximum difference among treads 3/8"

MORE stair code requirements

Connecting stairs to deck

Extended backer board  below rim joist. Attachment methods vary depending on the style of stairs but this is a very common and reliable technique.

4. Stringers

Stringer

KEEP IN MIND

  • Maximum 16'-6 "span for solid stringer (southern pine)
  • Maximum 7'-0 "span for notched stringer (southern pine)
  • Minimum 5 "throat recommended

stair stringer cheat sheet

Laying out stringers

Laying out stringers

Learn the math and how to trace out the number and size of rises and runs to cut out your stair stringer. Step by step explanation ! 

Forum talk

Participate in discussions on the finer points about building stairs.

Deck stairs

STAIR Calculator

Input your elevation change and this will figure out your rises and runs .

5. TREADS & HANDRAILS

deck stairs of above ground pool deck

DECK BUILDING CODE TIPS

  • Maximum 36 "oc solid stringer spacing for 2" thick treads
  • Maximum 18 "oc notched stringer spacing for 2" or 5/4 "thick treads
  • Maximum nosing of 0.75 "to 1.25" - maximum nosing radius of 9/16 "
  • Open risers: maximum opening of 4"
  • Closed risers: minimal nominal 1" thick riser material
  • Handrails must not project inwards more than 4.5" on either side of stairway

MORE stringer and handrail tips

stair tread diagrams

Stair Tread Diagrams

Learn how to trace the number and size of rises and runs to cut out your stair stringer. 

handrail sizes diagrams

Handrail Sizes Diagrams

These are simple handrail shapes that are permitted by building codes for decks

6. FOOTINGS

deck footing anchor

FOOTINGS ARE A BIG TOPIC

And they are the hardest and most labor intensive part of building a deck. So we have lots of help for you to learn how deep to dig, how large a footing should be based on load and soil capacity, how to connect hardware to the pier AND we talk about floating or free standing decks. 

This is all great information to learn before you start your big project.

other important building tips

Floating Deck Exception

​​​​Decks not connected to ledger need not have footings extending below frost line.

seven foot rule

Seven Foot Rule

How deep to go for footings on slopes? 

Compression Post Base

Sizes And Shapes

Five different ways to form foundations.

Alternate Foundations: Free standing deck options

Titan Deck Foor Anchor
Titan Deck Foot Anchor

Ground screw anchored footings

7. COVENANTS AND EASEMENTS

Covenant and easements are generally covered by local building departments. 

Check with your local county or city hall to see if there are any easements or covenants on the title of your land that grant access to the city.  And of course do not build in that area.

8. setbacks and variances

You can't build in a setback area.

​​​​​The city will tell you right up front what the setbacks from property lines or sidewalks are.  Make sure your project does not extend into those areas.

There are usually limits to how close your deck can be to another building. Be sure to find out - You don't want any surprises after its built.

A variance is a rarity. Basically any regulation can be challenged and depending on your circumstances, may be set aside or "varied".

LOOKING FOR MATERIAL CALCULATORS

Joist and Beam SIZE, SPACING & spans

Joist Span & Beam Span
beam span

1. BEAM SPAN

Plan in advance by knowing the correct deck beam span to use. During your planning stage, don’t forget to consider the spacing for your beams. You should also know the size of the post you are considering to use.

Joist span

2. JOIST SPAN

The deck joist span is distance between supporting beams below the joists. The spans of joists varies based upon several factors: joist size, spacing between joists, decking material and wood species. 

deck board span

3. DECK BOARD SPAN

Avoid a bouncy, soft deck. The decking span you choose will effect the feel and potentially the safety of your deck. Your selection of decking material will determine the maximum spacing of your joist. 

4. DECK POST SIZE

Deck post size is important. So build your deck the right way, from the ground and posts up. The Deck Post Size Table will help you answer that question or learn more about loads for posts.

snow load in the winter

5. DECK LOAD CAPACITY 

Any analysis of what load a structure may bear upon itself and its foundation must involve the support post network and soil bearing capacity.

deck

6. LOADS ON DECK POSTS

Before you can use the Deck Post Size Table in a meaningful way you have to understand the loads that your deck must withstand. The "load" is made up of the "dead load" and the "live load".​​​​​​​

popular topics in the forums

learn more about building decks from builders and people like you. It's like hanging around the office watercooler!

Sanding, staining and every other aspect of keeping your deck in tip top shape.

Deck Maintenance and Repair Forums

Everyone wants the investment they put into their deck to last.


The Deck Foot Anchor is a great solution for most types of decks.

DECK FOOT ANCHOR FORUM

Great discussions about using the Deck Foot Anchor™. Listen in and see if it is a good solution for your next project.

The Titan Wood Post Anchor is a great solution to have in your building arsenal.

TITAN POST ANCHOR FORUM

The Titan Wood Post Anchor™ is a real work horse and solves a lot of problems. Find out how people use it.

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