House Stairways and Railings

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Should you decide to build, repair or replace your house's stairways or railings, you will need to obtain Planning approval and Building Permits, as they are both a required before moving forward with your project. 

Before you Start

See below for a more detailed outline of permit application requirements.

Ready to get started? First, make sure you are registered and activated at our Online Permit Center. For instructions, please visit our Planning & Building Video Tutorials webpage.

What to Do

Permit Requirements

Who Can Be Issued a Permit?

1. Contractors who are licensed by the State of California with a classification appropriate for the work that will be performed and have a current Business Tax Certificate.

2. Owners of a building or their legal representative.

House Stairways and Railings Details & Requirements

Stairways and Railings Details for Houses:

For Wood Framed Exterior Door Landing & Steps:

  • Stair to be minimum 36" in width with minimum 36" x 36" landings at top and bottom
  • All wood to be pressure-treated or natural decay resistant
  • All fasteners to be hot dipped galvanized

Stairways and Railings:

  • Stairways shall not be less than 36" in clear width at all points above the permitted handrail height and below the required headroom height
  • Handrails shall not project more than 4.5" on either side of the stairway and the minimum clear width of the stairway at and below the handrail height, including treads and landings, shall not be less than 31.5" where a handrail is installed on one side and 27" where handrails are provided on both sides
  • The minimum headroom in all parts of the stairway shall not be less than 6'8" measured vertically from the sloped line adjoining the tread nosing or from the floor surface of the landing or platform on that portion of the stairway
  • A flight of stairs shall not have a vertical rise larger than 151" between floor levels or landings
  • The maximum stair riser height shall be 7.75"
  • The stair tread depth shall be not less than 10"
  • There shall be a floor or landing at the top and bottom of each stairway
  • See more guidance for Stairways and Railings in the City of Oakland Residential Construction Inspection Manual(PDF, 15MB) (document subject to change due to revisions)

For more, read the California Residential Code, Section R311.7.

How to Apply

Step 1.Step One: Planning Review

You will need to apply for Planning Approval:

  • Fill out a Zoning Worksheet via the Online Permit Center*
    * NOTE: You will need to log in before you can submit a Zoning Worksheet
  • Upload your completed Basic Application for Development Review(PDF, 5MB), plans (if applicable), and any other relevant materials
  • Please wait while our team reviews your application and materials
  • A team member will contact you if any info or paperwork is missing or unclear
  • Once you receive approval notice from our team, you are ready to move on to the next major step, your Building Permits

Step 2.Step Two: Building Permits

  • Submit a Building Worksheet through our Online Permit Center*
    * NOTE: You will be taken to our login page first before you can submit a Building Worksheet
  • In the Worksheet, upload your construction plans (see checklist), structural calculations (as applicable), Stairways and Railings Details for your project (see above), and all associated documents

Step 3.Step Three: Recycling Plan

  • All Oakland Building Permits require an approved Recycling Plan (called a WRRP) before being issued. As soon as your Permit Application has been processed, a Green Halo project will be created for you and an invitation for the project will be sent to the email address you provided on your Permit Application.
  • Follow the directions in Green Halo to pay this fee and write a Recycling Plan for all debris your building project will generate.

Learn More About Recycling

Step 4.Step Four: Final Check & Permits

  • After Plan Check has been completed (depending on scope of work), your application will go to Final Check before the permit is issued.
  • Staff will with work with you to ensure everything is complete and inform you of any outstanding steps, fees, or documents.
  • Permits are issued

For the latest processing estimates, please see our Average Permit Processing Turnaround Times webpage.

What's Next?

Questions?

Call (510) 238-3891 or find quick answers through our Permit & Services Questions Portal. You may also schedule an appointment with Permit Counter staff during open hours.

Additional Resources

Contact Us

Phone

(510) 238-3891

Location

Planning & Building
250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza 2nd Floor
Oakland, CA
94612
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