| There is good reason there are building codes | | | | be done before you apply for and obtain a |
| for deck railings. They were written to | | | | building permit for the construction of your |
| protect homeowners and their visitors from | | | | deck. |
| danger. Some of the types of codes relevant | | | | |
| to deck railings are distance of a deck off | | | | In the Virginia area we are discussing, decks |
| the ground requiring a railing, the distance | | | | can only be a single level high, and can only |
| required between balusters, and mandatory | | | | be used for residences. You are not permitted |
| heights of railings. | | | | to have joist overhangs that are over two |
| | | | feet, and decks may not have the following: |
| To illustrate a municipal code for deck | | | | gazebos, hot tubs, roofs or screened porches. |
| railings, let's take the example of Loudon | | | | Sometimes there are objections to the rules |
| County, Virginia. Any structure constructed | | | | applying to railings. Some people may object |
| in Loudon County must abide by the building | | | | to the requirement that the rail be a certain |
| codes for Viginia, the "Virginia Uniform | | | | height because they feel it will obstruct |
| Statewide Building Code". This can be | | | | their view. Since most codes will not allow |
| obtained on the internet for no charge. This | | | | you to adjust the height or fold down the |
| building code specifies the requirements for | | | | railing in any way, that would cause a |
| anything involved in building a structure, | | | | problem for the homeowner. Since the building |
| such as mechanics, plumbing and fire codes in | | | | code is considered law, not following the |
| addition to the requirements regarding decks. | | | | code means you are breaking the law. You |
| Reading and following this code will help you | | | | would be required to present yourself in |
| to stay within the law when building in the | | | | court and may have to pay a fine. Many people |
| State of Virginia. If you plan to construct a | | | | try to find ways around the building code, |
| building, the Department of Building and | | | | and the way many people have found to get |
| Development will review your plans to make | | | | around the height requirement of a railing is |
| sure you are in compliance with the building | | | | to have a cable rail system. Cable rails are |
| code. These codes regarding railings may | | | | almost invisible from a short distance, so, |
| differ from one area of the country to | | | | even though the top railing is still |
| another, so it is important to make sure you | | | | required, a cable railing can allow for an |
| get a copy of the code that applies to where | | | | almost unobstructed view. We see that |
| you are building. You also have to make sure | | | | building codes for railings are necessary, |
| you are in compliance with zoning codes and | | | | but sometimes create a hardship for some |
| the health codes of the area. All this has to | | | | homeowners. |