# South Carolina Residential Code: Stairs & Guards South Carolina builds to the 2018 South Carolina Residential Code, with a newer edition in the adoption pipeline. Here's what applies, and what to confirm. - Canonical HTML: https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/sc/ - 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/) South Carolina # South Carolina Residential Code: Stairs & Guards South Carolina builds to the 2018 South Carolina Residential Code, with a newer edition in the adoption pipeline. Here's what applies, and what to confirm. South Carolina builds to the **South Carolina Residential Code (SCRC)**, based on the **2018 IRC**, statewide since **1 January 2020**. A newer edition (drawing on the 2024 IRC) has been moving through the state’s adoption and comment process, so the code in force here may change during the life of this page. For a house stair, the figures **follow the IRC 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 South Carolina-specific stair or guard amendment is confirmed here. See the [US stair & guard rules](https://www.chippy.tools/building-codes/us/stairs/stair-and-barrier-requirements/) for the shared figures — but **confirm the current edition** with your local building department before you rely on it; South Carolina’s next edition may have landed by the time you’re reading this. ## Adoption status Adopted Current code in force South Carolina Residential Code (2018) Next edition — Adoption / transition statewide; effective Jan 1, 2020 (2024 IRC in adoption/comment process, not yet effective) 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/sc/index.md)