# Minnesota Residential Code: Stairs & Guards

Minnesota's statewide residential code adopts the 2018 IRC by reference. Stair and guard figures follow the IRC baseline.

- Canonical HTML: https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/mn/
- 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/) Minnesota

# Minnesota Residential Code: Stairs & Guards

Minnesota's statewide residential code adopts the 2018 IRC by reference. Stair and guard figures follow the IRC baseline.

Minnesota builds to the **2020 Minnesota Residential Code** (Minnesota Rules Chapter 1309) — a statewide mandatory code that adopts the **2018 IRC** by reference, as amended, effective **31 March 2020**.

For a house stair, the figures **match 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. No Minnesota-specific stair or guard amendment has been confirmed (cold-climate states sometimes deepen footing/frost-depth requirements, but that’s a separate provision from stair geometry and hasn’t been verified here). See the [US stair & guard rules](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/stairs/stair-and-barrier-requirements/) for the shared figures, and confirm against the current Chapter 1309 text for any local amendments.

## Adoption status

Adopted

Current code in force

2020 Minnesota Residential Code (Minn. Rules Ch. 1309) — 2018 IRC

Next edition

—

Adoption / transition

Statewide mandatory; adopts by reference the 2018 IRC (Ch. 2-10 etc.) as amended, effective Mar 31, 2020.

[Official source →](https://dli.mn.gov)

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.





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## Other languages

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



