Is a railing required for my backyard deck?

Guardrails, or rails along the flat area of the deck, are required for decks that are over 30 inches or more above the ground the deck is built on. This standard is required across the country for your safety. The guardrails must be between 34 and 38 inches in height, and the rail itself must be between 1 ¼ inches and 2 ¼ inches in diameter. Railings for stairs are required to be able to hold 300 pounds. For more information about deck standards, contact us or visit your city’s informational page on deck requirements (like this page for Minneapolis). We are happy to help with any inquiry you have about your dream deck.