Space for landing at bottom of stairs

I am finishing off a basement with a stair well from the first floor. The way the house is clobbered together there is no place to put a door at the top.
So there will be a door at the bottom of the stairs and it will open away from the stairs into the basement.
The question is how much space do I need between the last step and the door for someone stand and open the door or turn around and close it behind them as they go up?
I know how much space that I would need, but I would hate to see 350 lb Aunt Bertha get stuck in there and then explode when the door is opened from the other side.
Replies
Per R311.62 of the IRC code book ,A minimum 3 footby 3 foot landing will be provided at top & bottom of stairs.
"Per R311.62 of the IRC code book ,A minimum 3 footby 3 foot landing will be provided at top & bottom of stairs."
Ain't happening. The stairs is only about 30" to start. Having to widening it out at the end for just to get a 28" door along with some framing to support it.
But I looked at my copy of the IRC and it reads a little different. The one that I have is the 2000 and it is section R312.x
Only mentions 3 ft in the direction of travel and the width of the stairwell.
And reading that section I don't know if this area would be a "landing" or not. It says that there should be landing or flooring at the top and bottom of stairs. The next part does not apply as this not an exterior door.
At the bottom of the steps there aren't any more level changes, but a door dividing off the space.
I don't think that I cam make 3ft because of an existing window. I have not done a plan you, but I think that will have about 30" if come up to the window.
Bill,
Considering the circumstances, I would match the width of the stairwell. Anything less than this will look odd and anything less than 30" starts to get crowded really quickly.
Jon Blakemore
Thanks, that is a good logic for this situation.
It is a real pig, it will never be a silk purse, but I am trying to put a nice bow on the tail.