When you do and don't need a permit for stairs- permit requirements
- Existing stairway that leads to existing finished living space that was created with a building permit (check for permits on Portland Maps). No changes are required.
- Existing stairway that leads to existing unfinished space (basement, attic or garage) that you plan to convert to living space. May be allowed to remain without changes if it meets the requirements on our Attic, Basement or Garage Conversion Residential Building Permits webpage.
- Build a new stairway. Apply for a building permit and have inspections to current code.
Who can install or remodel stairs- work that requires a building permit
For work that requires a permit, the owner of a single-family home or duplex may hire a licensed contractor to do the work, or in some cases, do the work themselves. This means that the owner will be responsible for doing the work; not a friend, neighbor, tenant or relative, unless they hold an appropriate contractor’s license.
The permit requirements for an owner doing their own work are the same as those for a contractor doing the work. The State of Oregon has some helpful information for homeowners:
Code requirements for stairs
This webpage gives some basic information about code requirements. If you need more details about code requirements for stairs:
Stair width and code requirements
New stairways must be at least 36 inches wide from wall to wall above the handrail (except spiral stairs which must be at least 26 inches wide from center post to outside edge of tread).
Other codes may apply based on the scope of work. The City and State Codes, Administrative Rules, Code Guides and Program Guides web page has the codes, administrative rules, code guides and program guides.
Risers and treads stair permits requirements
- If you are building a new standard residential stairway (not a spiral), each step (or riser) can’t be more than 8 inches high.
- Treads are the flat surfaces that you step onto. For new stairs, the treads have to be a minimum of 9 inches deep from front to back (not counting the part underneath the nosing of the tread above). The exposed edge of the tread is called the nosing, and the nosing must stick out at least 3/4 inches, but not more than 11/4 inches.
- The steps in a flight of stairs have to be even so that people don’t trip. The code allows only 3/8-inch difference between the largest and the smallest rise, and only 3/8-inch difference between the largest and smallest tread measured from front to back.
Stairs permits requirements and headroom
- Headroom is the distance, measured vertically (plumb, straight up and down), between the ceiling or any projection from the ceiling, such as a beam, and a sloped line formed by placing a straight-edge along the nose of the stair treads.
- New stairs must have headroom of at least 6 feet 8 inches (except spiral stairs which may have headroom of 6 feet 6 inches).
Winder stairs and stairs permits requirements
- Stairways that turn a corner, with treads that are narrow on one end and wider at the other, are called winder stairs. You may build winder stairs, but the treads must be at least 6 inches deep at their narrowest point. Also, all of your treads must be at least nine inches wide, measured 12 inches from where they are the narrowest.
- Although the tread size varies on winder stairs, there still may not be more than 3/8-inch variation between the largest and smallest rise.
Spiral stairs and code requirements
- Spiral stairway treads must be at least 71/2 inches deep measured 12 inches out from where they are the narrowest. The risers can’t be more than nine- and one-half inches high.
- The minimum width of a spiral stairway from the center pole to the outside edge of the tread is 26 inches.
- Each spiral stair tread must be identical.
Landings and code requirements
Any exterior entry/exit door must have a landing at least 3’ x 3’ inside the door before there can be a step. The interior landing must not be more than 11/2 inches lower than the top of the threshold. On the outside of the door, the step down may be eight inches before you need another 3’ x 3’ minimum landing, providing the door does not swing over the stairs. After the landing there may be additional steps.
Handrails and stairs permits
- Stairways must have a handrail if the stairway has more than three risers.
- Handrails may project over stairs by 41/2 inches maximum on each side of the stairway.
- Handrails must be continuous for the full length of the stairs. They must turn back into the wall or butt into a post so that purse straps and clothing won’t get caught behind them and cause a fall.
- Handrails attached to the wall must have a space between the wall and the rail of at least 11/2 inches to provide a grippable surface.
- Handrails on the open side of a stairway must meet guardrail requirements.
- The height of handrails is measured straight up from the nosing of the treads to the top of the handrail. A handrail along a wall must be between 30 inches and 38 inches high.
- A round handrail must have a diameter no smaller than 1 1/4 inches and no larger than 2 inches, so that it can be easily and securely gripped. Other handrail shapes are allowed, if the perimeter dimension is at least 4 inches and not more than 6 1/4 inches, with a cross section dimension not more than 2 1/4 inches.
Guardrails and permit requirements
- A guardrail is required to prevent someone falling from a balcony, deck, landing, etc. that is more than 30 inches above the floor or ground below. Guardrails must be at least 36 inches high, except that they may be 34 inches (measured straight up from the nosings) at the open sides of stairways.
- Guardrails on stairs must have some kind of a pattern, so that a 5-inch sphere can’t pass through. However, all guardrails along raised floors, landings, porches, decks and balconies must have intermediate rails or ornamental closures that do not allow passage of a 4-inch sphere.
- At the bottom edge of a guardrail along a series of steps, the space between the tread, riser and the guardrail must be small enough to prevent a 6-inch sphere from getting through.
Apply for a building permit
- You can apply for building permits online.
- If you need to submit paper plans, you can set up an appointment to pick up plans or drop off plans in person. Or, please call us and we will work with you.
- You can also learn more about our permit review process.
- You might want to read our step-by-step guide for completing a building permit application.
This webpage is also available as a PDF:
Need help? Schedule a 15-minute appointment
If you have questions after reviewing the information on this page, we recommend you book a free 15-minute appointment with us. This is an optional step. We're here for you if you have questions about the information and materials you need to apply.