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Code guide

Handrail Height in Ontario

Handrail height in Ontario is 865 mm to 1,070 mm (2024 Building Code). When handrails are required, how many, wall clearance and extensions.
minimum height of a required handrail
865 mm
minimum height of a required handrail
maximum height of a required handrail
1,070 mm
maximum height of a required handrail
min clearance to the wall, 60 mm if rough
50 mm
min clearance to the wall, 60 mm if rough
concentrated load a handrail must resist
0.9 kN
concentrated load a handrail must resist

Last updated

Required handrails in Ontario must be between 865 mm and 1,070 mm high under the 2024 Building Code (OBC Div. B 9.8.7.4.OBC Div. B 9.8.7.4. Height of Handrails(1) The height of handrails on stairs and ramps shall be measured vertically from the top of the handrail to (a) a straight line drawn tangent to the tread nosings of the stair served by the handrail, or (b) the surface of the ramp, floor or landing served by the handrail. (2) Except as provided in Sentence (3)…). On a stair, the height is measured vertically from the top of the handrail to a straight line tangent to the tread nosings; on a ramp, floor or landing, it is measured from that surface.

People often search for "railing height" when they mean one of two different things. A handrail is the rail you grip while climbing. A guard is the barrier that keeps you from falling off an edge. They have different rules, and many stairs need both. This page covers handrails in Part 9 houses and small buildings. Confirm details with your building department, which may also have local requirements.

Handrail values at a glance

Item Value Article
Height of required handrails 865 mm to 1,070 mm 9.8.7.4.(2)
Measured from line tangent to the tread nosings 9.8.7.4.(1)
Clearance to wall 50 mm (60 mm if the wall is rough) 9.8.7.5.(1)
Handrails in a house one side, for stairs of any width Table 9.8.7.1.
No handrail needed (single dwelling) interior 2 risers or fewer, exterior 3 or fewer 9.8.7.1.(3)
Extension past top and bottom (not in houses) 300 mm horizontally, one handrail 9.8.7.3.(2)
Attachment to wood (houses) supports at most 1.2 m apart, first within 300 mm of each end, 2 No. 8 screws into 32 mm of solid wood 9.8.7.7.(2)

This table is our own summary of the articles listed.

How many handrails?

Table 9.8.7.1 sets the number of sides that need a handrail, based on where the stair is, whether it is straight or curved, and whether it is narrower or wider than 1,100 mm (Table 9.8.7.1.OBC Div. B Table 9.8.7.1. Number of Sides of Stair or Ramp Required to Have a HandrailTable 9.8.7.1. — Number of Sides of Stair or Ramp Required to Have a Handrail Forming Part of Sentence 9.8.7.1.(1) Location of Stair or Ramp | Handrails Serving Stairs: Stairs < 1,100 mm Wide (Straight) | Handrails Serving Stairs: Stairs < 1,100 mm Wide (Curved) | Handrails Serving Stairs: Stairs ≥ 1,100 mm Wide (All)…). In words:

  • Within a dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite, stairs need a handrail on one side, whatever their width. Ramps need one, or two once they are 1,100 mm wide or more.
  • Everywhere else, a straight stair narrower than 1,100 mm needs one handrail, but curved stairs and any stair 1,100 mm or wider need handrails on both sides.

The exceptions in 9.8.7.1.OBC Div. B 9.8.7.1. Required Handrails(1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (4), handrails shall be installed on stairs and ramps in conformance with Table 9.8.7.1. (2) Where a stair or ramp is required to be at least 2,200 mm wide due to the occupant load, a handrail shall be installed such that no position on the stair or ramp is more than 825 mm… matter for houses:

  • Stairs serving a single dwelling unit need no handrail if interior stairs have not more than 2 risers, exterior stairs not more than 3, or a ramp rises not more than 400 mm.
  • Exterior stairs with more than 3 risers serving one dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite need only one handrail.
  • Where a flight in a dwelling unit has tapered treads (other than winders), the handrail goes along the narrow end of the treads.

Very wide stairs sized for a large occupant load (2,200 mm or more) need handrails placed so no point is more than 825 mm from one.

Height: 865 mm to 1,070 mm

Required handrails must be 865 mm to 1,070 mm high (9.8.7.4.(2)OBC Div. B 9.8.7.4. Height of Handrails(1) The height of handrails on stairs and ramps shall be measured vertically from the top of the handrail to (a) a straight line drawn tangent to the tread nosings of the stair served by the handrail, or (b) the surface of the ramp, floor or landing served by the handrail. (2) Except as provided in Sentence (3)…). The measurement is from the top of the handrail down to the nosing line on a stair, or down to the surface on a ramp or landing. A handrail added in addition to the required ones does not have to meet this range (9.8.7.4.(3)OBC Div. B 9.8.7.4. Height of Handrails(1) The height of handrails on stairs and ramps shall be measured vertically from the top of the handrail to (a) a straight line drawn tangent to the tread nosings of the stair served by the handrail, or (b) the surface of the ramp, floor or landing served by the handrail. (2) Except as provided in Sentence (3)…), which is how lower second rails for children are allowed.

Graspable, continuous and well terminated

  • Continuously graspable. Required handrails must be graspable from the bottom riser to the top riser of each flight, and along ramps (9.8.7.2.OBC Div. B 9.8.7.2. Continuity of Handrails(1) Except as provided in Sentence (3), required handrails shall be continuously graspable throughout the length of (a) ramps, and (b) flights of stairs, from the bottom risers to the top risers. (2) Except for stairs or ramps serving a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common…). Nothing on or above the rail may break your handhold (9.8.7.5.(2)OBC Div. B 9.8.7.5. Ergonomic Design(1) The clearance between a handrail and any surface behind it shall be not less than (a) 60 mm, if the surface behind the handrail is rough or abrasive, or (b) 50 mm, in all other cases. (2) All handrails shall be constructed so as to be continually graspable along their entire length with no obstruction on or above…).
  • Newel posts. In a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite, the handrail may start from a newel post or volute on the bottom tread (9.8.7.2.(3)OBC Div. B 9.8.7.2. Continuity of Handrails(1) Except as provided in Sentence (3), required handrails shall be continuously graspable throughout the length of (a) ramps, and (b) flights of stairs, from the bottom risers to the top risers. (2) Except for stairs or ramps serving a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common…).
  • Clearance. At least 50 mm between the handrail and the wall, or 60 mm if the wall is rough or abrasive (9.8.7.5.(1)OBC Div. B 9.8.7.5. Ergonomic Design(1) The clearance between a handrail and any surface behind it shall be not less than (a) 60 mm, if the surface behind the handrail is rough or abrasive, or (b) 50 mm, in all other cases. (2) All handrails shall be constructed so as to be continually graspable along their entire length with no obstruction on or above…).
  • Ends. Handrails must end so they do not obstruct people or create a hazard. Outside houses, at least one handrail must extend 300 mm horizontally beyond the top and bottom of each flight (9.8.7.3.OBC Div. B 9.8.7.3. Termination of Handrails(1) Handrails shall be terminated in a manner that will not obstruct pedestrian travel or create a hazard. (See Note A-9.8.7.3.(1)) (2) Except for stairs and ramps serving only one dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces, at least one handrail at the sides of a stair or ramp shall…).

Strength and attachment

Handrails must resist a 0.9 kN concentrated load in any direction; handrails outside a single dwelling unit must also resist a distributed load of 0.7 kN/m (9.8.7.7.(1)OBC Div. B 9.8.7.7. Design and Attachment of Handrails(1) Handrails and their supports shall be designed and constructed to withstand the following loads, which need not be considered to act simultaneously: (a) a concentrated load of not less than 0.9 kN applied at any point and in any direction for all handrails, and (b) for handrails other than those serving a single…). For houses there is a deemed-to-comply method when attaching to wood studs or blocking: supports no more than 1.2 m apart horizontally, the end supports within 300 mm of each end, and at least two No. 8 wood screws at each support penetrating at least 32 mm into solid wood (9.8.7.7.(2)OBC Div. B 9.8.7.7. Design and Attachment of Handrails(1) Handrails and their supports shall be designed and constructed to withstand the following loads, which need not be considered to act simultaneously: (a) a concentrated load of not less than 0.9 kN applied at any point and in any direction for all handrails, and (b) for handrails other than those serving a single…). Drywall anchors alone do not meet that description.

Handrail or guard?

On an open stair with a drop of more than 600 mm at the side, a guard is also required (9.8.8.1.OBC Div. B 9.8.8.1. Required Guards(1) Except as provided in Sentence (2) and except at the leading edge at the top of a flight, every surface to which access is provided, including but not limited to flights of steps and ramps, exterior landings, porches, balconies, mezzanines, galleries and raised walkways, shall be protected by a guard on each side…). Inside a house the guard must be at least 900 mm high, measured from the nosing line (9.8.8.3.OBC Div. B 9.8.8.3. Height of Guards(1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (3.1), all guards shall be not less than 1,070 mm high. (2) All guards within dwelling units or within houses with a secondary suite including their common spaces shall be not less than 900 mm high. (3) Exterior guards serving not more than one dwelling unit or a house with a…). So an open-sided basement stair usually needs a guard at least 900 mm high plus a graspable handrail at 865 mm to 1,070 mm. See guard height.

Common mistakes

  1. Measuring from the back of the tread instead of the nosing line, which makes the rail too low.
  2. Mixing up handrail and guard height and building a 900 mm "handrail" that is really a guard top too wide to grip.
  3. Handrail ending a step short of the top or bottom riser.
  4. Brackets screwed only into drywall.
  5. Too little clearance to a textured wall or stone.
  6. Assuming the old maximum still applies. Use the 2024 range of 865 mm to 1,070 mm, and check any older reference against it.

How to look it up yourself

In Division B, Part 9 of the 2024 Compendium, go to Subsection 9.8.7. Search for:

  • "Height of Handrails"
  • "Required Handrails"
  • "Number of Sides of Stair or Ramp Required to Have a Handrail" (the table title)
  • "continually graspable"
  • "No. 8 wood screws"

Handrails (Section 9.8) are on both the House and Small Buildings exam syllabi. Work through the free study guide for the House exam and take the free practice quiz on that page.

Based on the official 2024 Building Code Compendium on ontario.ca.

© King's Printer for Ontario, 2024. Reproduced with permission.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the required handrail height in Ontario?
Required handrails must be between 865 mm and 1,070 mm high, measured vertically from the top of the handrail to a line tangent to the tread nosings, or to the surface of a ramp, floor or landing (Division B, Article 9.8.7.4.).
Is stair railing height the same as handrail height?
No. A handrail is something to hold, and must be 865 mm to 1,070 mm high. A guard prevents falls and has its own minimum heights, such as 900 mm inside a house and 1,070 mm in most other places (Division B, Article 9.8.8.3.). A stair may need both.
Do stairs in a house need handrails on both sides?
Generally no. Within a dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite, Table 9.8.7.1. requires a handrail on one side of a stair. Ramps 1,100 mm or wider need two.
Do short stairs need a handrail?
For stairs serving a single dwelling unit, no handrail is required for interior stairs with not more than 2 risers or exterior stairs with not more than 3 risers (Division B, Sentence 9.8.7.1.(3)).
How far from the wall must a handrail be?
At least 50 mm clear, or 60 mm where the wall surface is rough or abrasive (Division B, Sentence 9.8.7.5.(1)).