# Hawaii State Residential Code: Stairs & Guards

Hawaii's state code sets a 2021 IRC baseline, but each of the four counties must adopt — and can amend — it within two years, so confirm your county's version.

- Canonical HTML: https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/hi/
- Publisher: Chippy Tools
- Language: en
- Updated: 2026-09-13

[Browse all topics](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/topics/)[Free web tools](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/tools/)[Printable references](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/printables/)

[All countries](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/) [United States](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/)

Topics

Stairs

- [California Guard Height: 42 Inches Under the CRC](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ca/guard-height-42-inches/)
- [IRC Stair & Guard Rules: Riser, Tread, Handrail, Guards](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/stairs/stair-and-barrier-requirements/)

Footings

- [US Footing Sizes & Frost Depth (IRC R403)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/footings/footing-sizes-and-depth/)

Room heights

- [US Minimum Ceiling Heights (IRC R305)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/rooms/minimum-ceiling-heights/)

Ramps

- [US Ramp Slopes (IRC R311.8)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ramps/ramp-gradients/)

Wet areas

- [Shower & Tub Wall Finish (IRC R307.2)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/wet-areas/waterproofing-requirements/)

By state

- [Alaska](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ak/)
- [Alabama](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/al/)
- [Arkansas](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ar/)
- [Arizona](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/az/)
- [California](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ca/)
- [Colorado](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/co/)
- [Connecticut](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ct/)
- [District of Columbia](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/dc/)
- [Delaware](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/de/)
- [Florida](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/fl/)
- [Georgia](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ga/)
- [Hawaii](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/hi/)
- [Iowa](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ia/)
- [Idaho](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/id/)
- [Illinois](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/il/)
- [Indiana](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/in/)
- [Kansas](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ks/)
- [Kentucky](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ky/)
- [Louisiana](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/la/)
- [Massachusetts](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ma/)
- [Maryland](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/md/)
- [Maine](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/me/)
- [Michigan](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/mi/)
- [Minnesota](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/mn/)
- [Missouri](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/mo/)
- [Mississippi](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ms/)
- [Montana](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/mt/)
- [North Carolina](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/nc/)
- [North Dakota](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/nd/)
- [Nebraska](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ne/)
- [New Hampshire](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/nh/)
- [New Jersey](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/nj/)
- [New Mexico](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/nm/)
- [Nevada](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/nv/)
- [New York](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ny/)
- [Ohio](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/oh/)
- [Oklahoma](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ok/)
- [Oregon](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/or/)
- [Pennsylvania](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/pa/)
- [Rhode Island](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ri/)
- [South Carolina](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/sc/)
- [South Dakota](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/sd/)
- [Tennessee](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/tn/)
- [Texas](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/tx/)
- [Utah](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ut/)
- [Virginia](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/va/)
- [Vermont](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/vt/)
- [Western Australia](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/wa/)
- [Wisconsin](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/wi/)
- [West Virginia](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/wv/)
- [Wyoming](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/wy/)

Calculation guides

- [Concrete Calculations: The Complete On-Site Guide](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-calculations-guide/)
- [How to Calculate Concrete Volume for a Slab](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-volume-slab/)
- [How Many Bags of Concrete Per m³? (20kg, 25kg, 40kg)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/bags-of-concrete-per-m3/)
- [Concrete for Post Holes: Volume Per Hole & Bags Needed](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-post-holes/)
- [Concrete Mix Ratios Explained: 1:2:3, 1:2:4 & Water-Cement Ratio](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-mix-ratios/)
- [Roof Pitch to Angle: Convert Rise/Run to Degrees & Grade](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/roof-pitch-to-angle/)
- [Rafter Length Calculation: Run, Rise & Overhang](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/rafter-length/)
- [Stair Rise & Run Setout: Riser, Going & the 2R+G Formula](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/stair-rise-and-run-setout/)
- [How to Convert a Fall or Gradient: Ratio, Percentage & Degrees](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/fall-and-gradient-conversion/)
- [Stud & Joist Spacing Takeoff: How Many at 400, 450 & 600 mm Centres](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/stud-and-joist-spacing-takeoff/)
- [Gravel & Base Volume: Compacted Depth vs Loose-Fill Order Quantity](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/gravel-and-base-volume/)

In this section

[Browse all topics](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/topics/)[Free web tools](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/tools/)[Printable references](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/printables/)

[All countries](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/) [United States](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/)

Topics

Stairs

- [California Guard Height: 42 Inches Under the CRC](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ca/guard-height-42-inches/)
- [IRC Stair & Guard Rules: Riser, Tread, Handrail, Guards](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/stairs/stair-and-barrier-requirements/)

Footings

- [US Footing Sizes & Frost Depth (IRC R403)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/footings/footing-sizes-and-depth/)

Room heights

- [US Minimum Ceiling Heights (IRC R305)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/rooms/minimum-ceiling-heights/)

Ramps

- [US Ramp Slopes (IRC R311.8)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ramps/ramp-gradients/)

Wet areas

- [Shower & Tub Wall Finish (IRC R307.2)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/wet-areas/waterproofing-requirements/)

By state

- [Alaska](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ak/)
- [Alabama](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/al/)
- [Arkansas](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ar/)
- [Arizona](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/az/)
- [California](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ca/)
- [Colorado](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/co/)
- [Connecticut](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ct/)
- [District of Columbia](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/dc/)
- [Delaware](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/de/)
- [Florida](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/fl/)
- [Georgia](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ga/)
- [Hawaii](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/hi/)
- [Iowa](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ia/)
- [Idaho](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/id/)
- [Illinois](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/il/)
- [Indiana](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/in/)
- [Kansas](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ks/)
- [Kentucky](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ky/)
- [Louisiana](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/la/)
- [Massachusetts](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ma/)
- [Maryland](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/md/)
- [Maine](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/me/)
- [Michigan](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/mi/)
- [Minnesota](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/mn/)
- [Missouri](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/mo/)
- [Mississippi](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ms/)
- [Montana](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/mt/)
- [North Carolina](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/nc/)
- [North Dakota](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/nd/)
- [Nebraska](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ne/)
- [New Hampshire](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/nh/)
- [New Jersey](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/nj/)
- [New Mexico](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/nm/)
- [Nevada](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/nv/)
- [New York](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ny/)
- [Ohio](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/oh/)
- [Oklahoma](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ok/)
- [Oregon](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/or/)
- [Pennsylvania](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/pa/)
- [Rhode Island](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ri/)
- [South Carolina](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/sc/)
- [South Dakota](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/sd/)
- [Tennessee](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/tn/)
- [Texas](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/tx/)
- [Utah](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/ut/)
- [Virginia](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/va/)
- [Vermont](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/vt/)
- [Western Australia](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/wa/)
- [Wisconsin](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/wi/)
- [West Virginia](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/wv/)
- [Wyoming](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/wy/)

Calculation guides

- [Concrete Calculations: The Complete On-Site Guide](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-calculations-guide/)
- [How to Calculate Concrete Volume for a Slab](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-volume-slab/)
- [How Many Bags of Concrete Per m³? (20kg, 25kg, 40kg)](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/bags-of-concrete-per-m3/)
- [Concrete for Post Holes: Volume Per Hole & Bags Needed](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-post-holes/)
- [Concrete Mix Ratios Explained: 1:2:3, 1:2:4 & Water-Cement Ratio](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/concrete-mix-ratios/)
- [Roof Pitch to Angle: Convert Rise/Run to Degrees & Grade](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/roof-pitch-to-angle/)
- [Rafter Length Calculation: Run, Rise & Overhang](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/rafter-length/)
- [Stair Rise & Run Setout: Riser, Going & the 2R+G Formula](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/stair-rise-and-run-setout/)
- [How to Convert a Fall or Gradient: Ratio, Percentage & Degrees](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/fall-and-gradient-conversion/)
- [Stud & Joist Spacing Takeoff: How Many at 400, 450 & 600 mm Centres](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/stud-and-joist-spacing-takeoff/)
- [Gravel & Base Volume: Compacted Depth vs Loose-Fill Order Quantity](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/concrete/gravel-and-base-volume/)

[Building Codes](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/) [United States](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/) Hawaii

# Hawaii State Residential Code: Stairs & Guards

Hawaii's state code sets a 2021 IRC baseline, but each of the four counties must adopt — and can amend — it within two years, so confirm your county's version.

Hawaii builds to the **Hawaii State Residential Code**, based on the **2021 IRC**, effective **6 March 2022**. Each of the state’s four counties (Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kauaʻi) is required to adopt — and may amend — the code within two years of the state edition; the state code only serves as the interim county code if a county fails to adopt.

That two-step structure means a county could, in principle, run an amended version — but no specific county stair or guard amendment has been confirmed here. For a house stair, the figures follow the [IRC](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/) baseline — 7¾ in max riser, 10 in min tread, 6 ft 8 in headroom, 36 in min width, 34–38 in handrails, 36 in guards, the 30 in guard trigger and the 4 in sphere — confirm any amendments your county has made. See the [US stair & guard rules](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/stairs/stair-and-barrier-requirements/) for the shared figures.

## Adoption status

Adopted

Current code in force

Hawaii State Residential Code (IRC 2021)

Next edition

—

Adoption / transition

State code based on 2021 IRC, effective March 6, 2022; each of the 4 counties must adopt/amend within 2 years, and the state code becomes the interim county code if a county fails to adopt

[Official source →](https://ags.hawaii.gov/bcc)

Last verified 2026-07-28

No state-specific variations recorded yet for this jurisdiction.

This page is general information for tradespeople and is not compliance, engineering or legal advice. Requirements are subject to state and territory variations and adoption timing. Always confirm requirements with your building certifier and relevant state authority.





## Page directory




## Other languages

- [es](https://www.chippy.tools/es/building-codes/us/hi/index.md)



