PSA: The updated building code for stair risers is a nightmare to implement on site.

I just spent all day reworking a staircase because the inspector cited the new height rule. It feels like the code writers have never actually built one.

3 comments

3 Comments

park.adam3mo ago

Ugh, tell me about it. I got caught on that last month. What finally worked was making a story pole for the whole run before cutting anything. Marked each rise and run right on a straight 2x4. Saved my butt when the inspector came back, lol.

finley_price283mo ago

Saw a YouTube guy swear by story poles too after messing up a stringer. Solid tip from @park.adam.

perez.barbara3mo ago

Seriously, codes are wild sometimes. Tbh this reminds me of when they made us put these weird reinforced blocks in garage door openings for no clear reason. We all hated it until a buddy told me it's for when people inevitably back into the beam with their truck. Made a tiny bit more sense after that, but still a pain, lol.