# North Carolina Residential Code: Stairs & Guards North Carolina runs its own code cycle — the 2018 NCRC is still current, with the next edition delayed since early 2025. Stair figures follow the IRC baseline. - Canonical HTML: https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/nc/ - 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/) North Carolina # North Carolina Residential Code: Stairs & Guards North Carolina runs its own code cycle — the 2018 NCRC is still current, with the next edition delayed since early 2025. Stair figures follow the IRC baseline. North Carolina builds to its own **North Carolina Residential Code (NCRC)** — own state-authored code cycle, not a direct pass-through of the ICC calendar. The current **2018 NCRC** (based on the 2015 IRC) has been in force since **1 January 2019** and remains current: the next edition was **indefinitely delayed around March–April 2025** and, as of this writing, still hasn’t taken effect. Given how long that delay has run, it’s worth a quick check that North Carolina hasn’t since adopted a newer edition before you rely on this page. 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 North Carolina-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. ## Adoption status Adopted Current code in force 2018 North Carolina Residential Code (NCRC) Next edition — Adoption / transition Statewide own-cycle code; 2018 NCRC (based on 2015 IRC) effective Jan 1 2019 and STILL current — the 2024 NC code was delayed/postponed indefinitely (Mar/Apr 2025) [Official source →](https://ncosfm.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. ## Page directory ## Other languages - [es](https://www.chippy.tools/es/building-codes/us/nc/index.md)