How tall do guardrails and deck railings need to be?
Guards must be at least 36 in high, or 34 in on the open side of stairs (IRC R312.1.2).
Guards are required along open-sided walking surfaces — decks, balconies, landings, and stairs — that are more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below. Required guards must be at least 36 inches (914 mm) high.
On the open side of a stair, the guard measured from the tread nosings may be as low as 34 inches. Where the top of that guard also acts as the handrail, it must fall within the 34- to 38-inch handrail range.
Verified against
Related answers
Need this scoped to your jurisdiction?
Adopted edition and local amendments vary by city and county. Ask Donnie checks your jurisdiction and cites the exact adopted section.
Ask Donnie →General information based on the International Residential Code (a model code). This is AI assistance to verify — not legal advice. Confirm the adopted edition and any local amendments with your local building department (AHJ) and a licensed professional before you build.