Deck Railing Requirement

[Big-Al]

I am trying to determine what height off grade requires a railing. I have been told 18 inches and a little research this morning said 30 inches. My deck is 20 inches above grade and I don't want a railing. What is the requirement in Minnesota?

[iceman1005]

Anything under 30" does not need railing. For stairs it is anything with 4 rises or more. You should not need railing as long as it is not over 30" any where on your deck.

[Big-Al]

That is great, thanks. Can an insurance company require something that is more strict than code?

[PurpleFloyd]

Different cities and local authorities can have their own rules regarding height, minimum gaps between spindles etc. Also programs like rehab grants, first time home buyers loans etc will have specific requirements that may or may not image local codes.

we had a cement patio that was fine locally but we had an inspection done and that required a railing and was only 15 inches from ground to deck height.

[MNice]

Different cities and local authorities can have their own rules regarding height, minimum gaps between spindles etc. Also programs like rehab grants, first time home buyers loans etc will have specific requirements that may or may not image local codes.

we had a cement patio that was fine locally but we had an inspection done and that required a railing and was only 15 inches from ground to deck height.

No they cannot make their own rules unless they have it in ordinance. If any municipality asked for more than what code requires, you do have the right to find out why. Never be afraid to question the inspector.

[BobT]

That is great, thanks. Can an insurance company require something that is more strict than code?

That would be between you and your insurance company but yes, they could. If you don't have it they have the option of not selling insurance to you or charging a higher fee for the higher risk factor.

[18 inch Crappie]

Call the city to make sure, hate to build anything and have to redo it because you did not make a 30 sec call.

[cavalierowner]

The code requirement is 30". A City can over-rule this if they have an ordinance. If they are insisting on a railing with no ordinance, then your only other option is to call the State Buildig Code division. Sometimes a call from the state to the local municipality will help. If this is an insurance company, you may have to do it or find another insurance company as stated on another response.

If you do put up a railing, the other things you need to know is that it has to be 36" high and have a baluster pattern such that a 4" ball cannot pass thru. While it's not required, the other thing I do with railing design is to put all my balusters vertical or in a pattern that is such that a child can't climb the railing. "Word on the street" from the code writers is that this is something that is in the works and will be part of the code in the future.

[pureinsanity]

Call your city and see what the ordinance is. That is the best advice posted on here. Hate to follow what one person said and have it be wrong and you have to redo it.