How do I build code-compliant deck stairs with a landing in Riverview NB?

To build code-compliant deck stairs with a landing in Riverview, NB, you need a landing that is at least 36 inches (900mm) deep, a minimum stair width of 860mm, risers no taller than 200mm, treads no shallower than 235mm, and all risers within 6mm of each other across every flight. The landing effectively splits your staircase into two or more flights, each of which must independently meet the NB Building Code stair requirements.

Start with your total rise measurement. Measure from the finished deck surface straight down to the finished grade where the stairs will terminate. If your deck in Riverview is, say, 2,800mm above grade, a single straight run would require approximately 15 risers at 187mm each. That creates a long, steep staircase. Inserting a landing at the midpoint lets you split this into two 7-riser flights at 200mm each, or two 8-riser flights at 175mm each, with the landing providing a rest point and allowing a direction change if your yard layout demands it.

The landing itself must be at least 900mm deep measured in the direction of travel. If the stairs change direction at the landing, the landing must be at least as wide as the stair width in both directions. For a standard 36-inch-wide stair that turns 90 degrees, your landing becomes a 36-by-36-inch platform at minimum. For a 180-degree switchback, the landing must be wide enough to accommodate both flights side by side, plus the 36-inch depth.

Structurally, the landing is a small deck platform and needs its own support. In Riverview's soil conditions, which range from clay to sandy loam depending on your proximity to the Petitcodiac River, you need footings that extend below the frost line. The NB frost depth is approximately 48 inches (1,200mm) in the Riverview area, though your local building inspector can confirm the specific requirement for your property. Concrete sonotubes with post bases are the standard approach. The landing frame connects to the posts using beam-to-post hardware and should be built with the same lumber dimensions as your deck frame, typically 2x8 or 2x10 joists.

The NB Building Code requires a landing at both the top and bottom of every staircase. The deck surface itself serves as the top landing, provided the door threshold area meets landing dimension requirements. At the bottom, you need a concrete pad or equivalent solid surface at least 900mm deep. Many Riverview builds use a 4-inch concrete pad on compacted gravel for the bottom landing, which also prevents the stair stringers from sitting in standing water and soil contact.

Each flight of stairs between landings must have uniform risers within that flight. The 6mm tolerance applies within each individual flight, but different flights can have slightly different riser heights if the total rise to each landing divides differently. However, for comfort and safety, keeping risers consistent across all flights is strongly recommended. The human body expects each step to be the same height, and a noticeable change at the landing level can cause stumbles.

Guards are required on the open sides of both the landing and the stair flights if the height above grade exceeds 600mm. The guards must be 900mm high on the landing platform and between 865mm and 965mm along the stair flights, measured vertically from the nosing. A graspable handrail between 32mm and 38mm in diameter is required on at least one side of each flight, extending 300mm beyond the top and bottom risers.

For your Riverview permit application, submit a detailed drawing showing the total rise, number of risers per flight, riser and tread dimensions, landing dimensions, footing locations, and railing heights. The Town of Riverview building department reviews deck stair plans as part of the standard building permit process, and having clear dimensions on your drawing speeds up approval significantly.

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