# Michigan Residential Code: Stairs & Guards Michigan's 2021 code is tied up in litigation and its implementation was paused by a court order — the current edition is genuinely unsettled. Verify before relying on it. - Canonical HTML: https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/mi/ - 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/) Michigan # Michigan Residential Code: Stairs & Guards Michigan's 2021 code is tied up in litigation and its implementation was paused by a court order — the current edition is genuinely unsettled. Verify before relying on it. Michigan’s residential code is in a **genuinely unsettled state** right now, and this page can’t responsibly paper over that. The **2021 Michigan Residential Code** (based on the 2021 IRC) was filed 1 May 2025 and took effect 29 August 2025, replacing the prior 2015-based code. But a **court order issued 7 July 2025 paused implementation** of the 2021 residential and energy rules amid ongoing litigation — so which edition is actually in force is unclear at the time of writing. **Don’t assume either the 2021 or the 2015 code without checking directly with Michigan’s LARA Bureau of Construction Codes** for the current status in your jurisdiction. The good news: the core stair and guard geometry hasn’t changed between the 2015 and 2021 IRC bases, so the figures **match the [IRC](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/)** baseline under either edition — 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. No Michigan-specific stair or guard amendment has been confirmed. See the [US stair & guard rules](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/stairs/stair-and-barrier-requirements/) for the shared figures — but treat the *which edition applies* question as unresolved until you’ve confirmed it locally. ## Adoption status Adopted Current code in force IRC (edition contested) — 2021 Michigan Residential Code adopted but implementation litigated; 2015 MRC may still apply Next edition — Adoption / transition Statewide mandatory. 2021 Michigan Residential Code (2021 IRC base) filed May 1, 2025, effective date Aug 29, 2025 and the 2015 scope rule was rescinded effective that date; HOWEVER a July 7, 2025 court order paused implementation of the 2021 residential/energy rules amid ongoing litigation, leaving the 2015 code arguably still in force. Current-in-effect edition genuinely uncertain — verify with LARA Bureau of Construction Codes before relying. [Official source →](https://michigan.gov/lara) 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/mi/index.md)