# Missouri Building Codes: Stairs & Guards Missouri has no statewide residential code — it's home rule. Kansas City and St. Louis maintain their own amended editions; most areas commonly use IRC 2015–2018. - Canonical HTML: https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/mo/ - 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/) Missouri # Missouri Building Codes: Stairs & Guards Missouri has no statewide residential code — it's home rule. Kansas City and St. Louis maintain their own amended editions; most areas commonly use IRC 2015–2018. Missouri has **no statewide residential building code**. Adoption is entirely **home rule** — cities and counties adopt and amend their own IRC edition, most commonly somewhere in the **2015–2018 IRC** range. **Kansas City and St. Louis** each maintain their own locally amended versions, so the code you build to can differ meaningfully even between neighbouring jurisdictions. Because there’s no state code to cite, the stair and guard figures here are the **plain [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. See the [US stair & guard rules](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/stairs/stair-and-barrier-requirements/) for the shared figures — then **confirm the edition and any local amendments with your specific city or county building department**, especially in Kansas City or St. Louis where local amendments are known to apply. ## Adoption status Local Current code in force No statewide residential code; local adoption (edition varies, commonly IRC 2015-2018) Next edition — Adoption / transition Local adoption only — no mandatory statewide building/residential code; cities and counties adopt their own IRC edition (KC, St. Louis have local amendments) [Official source →](https://iccsafe.org/advocacy/adoptions-map/missouri) 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/mo/index.md)