FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Stair Landing Length

brewmaker | Posted in General Discussion on December 18, 2008 09:10am

Seeking opinion from any inspectors or code junkies in BT concerning their interpretation of stair landing requirements.

I have a typical situation where I have no landing at the top of my basement stairs. This is allowed as per IRC 311.5.4 where the exception states that landings are not required for interior stairs provided a door doesn’t swing over the stairs.

I thought about rebuilding these stairs to accommodate a small landing, say 24″. My question is would this be considered a code violation. The code says a landing must be a minimum length of 36″. My interpretation is that this applies even in a situation where a landing is not required. I’m wondering what others think as I still feel a smaller landing is better than no landing in this situation.

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. User avater
    hammer1 | Dec 19, 2008 12:29am | #1

    Are you sure you have room for a landing? Any addition will take your stairs out the width of the landing. The framed opening in the floor could restrict your head room. If a door does not open into the stair, the floor in front of the door is your landing. It's quite common for utility stairs like those going into a basement. Of course, most of the time there just isn't enough room.

    Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

    1. brewmaker | Dec 19, 2008 07:33pm | #5

      There is some play in headroom but not enough to allow a 36" landing. I did a quick check and figured about a 24" landing would still give the required headroom. That's what got me thinking whether or not this is even an option.Yes, the floor serves as the top landing as you point out, but in my situation I'm often carrying things up and down the basement and having to open or close the door while standing on the top step. A minor nuisance I agree, but I thought about fixing this if I go ahead with a basement remodel.

  2. Riversong | Dec 19, 2008 01:16am | #2

    Ask your building inspector. Only his/her interpretation matters.

     
    Riversong HouseWright
    Design *  * Build *  * Renovate *  * Consult
    Solar & Super-Insulated Healthy Homes
  3. john7g | Dec 19, 2008 02:01am | #3

    I was wondering the same thing as Hammer. Are you going to have enough head space (6'8" over the nose of the treads) when you move the stairs that much? 

  4. User avater
    DDay | Dec 19, 2008 05:05am | #4

    As mentioned, only the BI's opinion matters. Even if you are doing something that is 100% legal and up to code or better than code, if he doesn't like it...

    I assume this is your house. If it is, then I tend to keep the BI out of it unless it is necessary. One of the worst things to me about the codes is requiring someone to bring something up to the new standard. Many times this will lead people to leave things as is even when there is an upgrade that is much better than status quo but bringing it up to code is not possible, or people will do it without inspections. I know in my area a decent amount of electrical work is done with out an inspection because reaching the new code is not possible.

    1. brewmaker | Dec 19, 2008 07:50pm | #6

      I know the frustrations of working with the local building department when I remodeled my last house. Just like you mentioned, they were asking for changes to a couple things that were not even connected with my remodel in any way, like a wood stove in another room that had been put in 25 years ago by the previous homeowner and permitted at that time.For the most part the inspectors were reasonable and helpful. The problem was they were inconsistent. A different person would come out for a reinspection and focus on something else that the first person didn't have a problem with or sometimes the new inspector would sign off on something the other guy was making a big deal of.I'm in a different region now so I haven't dealt with the local Bldg Dept yet.

      1. IronHelix | Dec 19, 2008 08:30pm | #7

        The usual landing depth dimension corresponds to the door width.

        I was able to reduce the requirement to 24" by hanging a Bi-Hinged door of 2 ea each, 2-panel solid poplar cut to 17" width and swung into the stairwell.

        This might let you squeak by the BI..............Iron Helix

        1. brewmaker | Dec 20, 2008 01:41am | #10

          Your reply got me thinking about the door instead of the landing. It occurs to me the best solution is to eliminate the door at the top of the stairs altogether since I'm going to make the basement a finished space anyway. It would also solve the issue of the flow of traffic in the hall being interrupted by the opening door.I can still install a door at the bottom of the stairs to isolate the space for sound and heat. I have plenty of room for layout options.This is good. Now I don't need to mess with the stairs at all. Thanks to all who responded to get me thinking about different ideas!

          1. IronHelix | Dec 20, 2008 05:23am | #11

            Thinking outside the box often requires that someone kicks us outside.

            Glad I could be the "boot".

            ..........Iron Helix

  5. User avater
    jonblakemore | Dec 19, 2008 08:43pm | #8

    Just call it an extra-deep nosing.

     

    Jon Blakemore

    RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA

  6. Scott | Dec 19, 2008 11:16pm | #9

    Can the door swing be changed?

    Scott.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements

Listeners write in about fostering trade work and proposed changes to Canadian code and ask questions about roof and wall insulation for an old house.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Building Codes
  • Old Boots Learn New Tricks
  • Install Denim Insulation Like a Pro

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data