Is a Permit Required?
A building permit is required for residential and commercial ramps stick built from wood or poured concrete. Metal ramps are not subject to a permit fee.
Railings, Landings, Guards, Materials, etc.
• Residential ramps are to be built with a slope of 1”/12” (8.33%)
• A slope of 1/20 (5% or less) is considered a walkway and no permit is necessary.
• The minimum clear width of a ramp shall be 36” (including handrails / guards).
• Maximum rise is 30” max (30 ft in length at 1/12) at which point will need to be terminated by a landing of 60” clear.
• The landing should be at least as wide as the ramp run leading to it and 60” in length.
• Ramp shall have level landings at the top and terminating to the ground at the bottom.
• At any change of direction, the landing must be 60” x 60”.
• A guard rail is required with a height of 42” from the surface of the deck.
• A hand rail, between 34” and 38” is required on ramps over 30” in height (a guard rail cannot be a hand rail and a handrail cannot be a guard rail due to height requirements).
• A 4” guard along the top of the ramp surface is required to prevent wheel chair wheels from
falling from the ramp
• Cross section cannot exceed 1/48 (2%)
• Treated lumber is required in any areas coming in contact with the ground or less than 18” from the surface of the ground.
• The surface of the ramp should provide a non-slip surface.
• Plywood is not allowed to be used as a ramps surface.
• Joist supports are required along the underside of the ramp where necessary