no, tatts, basic code is nationwide.

acm according to IRB (nationwide) only the outer railing is required though. Local codes will not require less (although some locales don't enforce well) but local codes may require more. I think that's the question.

I agree with Columbus that for safety it's best to have both. I don't find it unattractive.

Code inquiries, ask your builder or inspector. Assuming a continuous run is required on only one side, Id like the look better if the wall side handrail ended below the railing. I would think that's a decent safety/aesthetic trade.

We are in Florida I asked my Builder he said it's required however there's other things that have not been done to code and I doubt he actually knows what is required and what is not required by code

Kayled - when I was younger I would have agreed with you on the aesthetic aspect. But the older I get, the more aware I am daily of just how dangerous stairs can be.

Anyone building (or designing) a new home should make the safety aspects of the stairs the most important factor before aesthetics, cost, or how much space they're going to take up. This is especially important for the young and the old.

Even a strong, healthy 30 year old is going to find your stairs, as shown, easier and safer to use.

Contact your city code department. Your city councilman can also get that information for you. You want to be sure that city codes are followed up front. It can prevent potential issues later.

I have very similar stairs and do not have the second railing. I say, see if you can have the second railing on only the drywall and not going all the way to the top. I think that would make it less odd.

Here is the same code for Florida. R311.7.8

https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/document/FLRC2014/chapter-3-building-planning

Local amendments would not be allowed for this situation.

https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/document/FRC2017/preface

And, here is the entire code.

https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/document/FLRC2014

Or here. You are on 2014

https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/collections/florida

I have very similar stairs and do not have the second railing. I say, see if you can have the second railing on only the drywall and not going all the way to the top. I think that would make it less odd.

I actually like how it goes up to the top railing. I think it would look more odd stopping at the drywall.

how wide are your stairs? After a specific width a handrail on both sides is required.

Like my builder said, "we're gonna put this up right here, but what happens to it after the inspector leaves, <shrug>."

4' wide

The time will come when you will be very glad you have a handrail on both sides. Remember, we tend to use handrails going up and coming down. If we use the same hand to hold the handrail for both journeys, it means a handrail on each side of the stair for convenience and safety.

Marisha - at 4' wide, you likely require it by code (check with your local inspector, as others have suggested).

There is no requirement for two handrails in residential construction no matter the width of the stairs per IRC or FLRC.

If it's not required I would have it removed. Looks awful!

Fred S posts the Code that evidently no one looks at.

Looks hideous to me. And may have to be removed to move some furniture in or out.

I am not certain regards your locale, but in CT (at least in my town) about 15 years ago when I remodeled my downstairs, they made us put a railing in on the other side of the basement steps, for code. That was 15 years ago.

Now that I have a bum knee that gives out on whim, I'm grateful for it. I could give a hangnail about "aesthetics" when it come to safety. But your railing looks quite fine, and I'd be happy to use it.

I'd leave it in place. As others have said, injury or aging can make it become more attractive.

Besides, I'd be decorating the other rail at Christmas with all sorts of garlands, so the wall-mounted railing would be the only one available. :)

Not required by code where I live (Ontario, Canada), and I would never do that unless required. It's so hideous that I would remove it after purchase.

Is no one noticing the fact that the offender is the required continuous railing that wraps around to the other flight of stairs going up? It is the required hand rail. The other serves as a guard rail only.

I can totally see not desiring it ok the basis of asthetics. I think if it stopped a foot or two sooner it wouldn’t be as visually offending (if it didn’t cross over the balusters on the right). But I can also see how it could be better, safety-wise.

If you absolutely hate it, wait until inspection and take it down. We did the same with some god-awful looking handrails that we’re required by code on the three steps leading up to our front porch. But maybe stick the handrail in the attic in case you change your mind :)

"Is no one noticing the fact that the offender is the required continuous railing that wraps around to the other flight of stairs going up? It is the required hand rail. The other serves as a guard rail only." - NOT EVEN CLOSE

What other flight? The handrail does NOT need to "wrap around" to other flights.

.

The guard rail IS allowed to "also serve as a handrail". The only reference in the residential code to a "continouos transition between flights" is rereferring to the aesthetic CHOICE in the section on handrail HEIGHT, NOT the section on continuity.

The "railing in on the other side of the basement steps, for code." is usually because the first rail stops a little short of the top or bottom, or is split in the middle to go around a wall or ceiling.

And, NO, the residential codes do NOT require two handrails for wider stairways.

Please read the codes before guessing about them, or making up your own.

My wife just had a knee replaced; she would require it.

Ask your local building code official if the railing is required.

It looks great, not odd at all.

it will keep the paint on the wall from being rubbed by hands, boxes, whatever. i'd leave it be since its there already.

(the painted wall side of my front stairs has all sorts of abrasions that no one will ever admit to administering)

I've fallen down stairs before it's no fun...id keep it especially if you have young kids...id be nervous with them walking in front of the open stairway to the outside handrail to walk down the stairs.

I always told my 2 kids to sit down on the steps. I'm so glad we live in a ranch now

The rails look fine, they really do.

Of course if looks horrible; it's wrapped in paper. Let the builder finish his job. Live with the rail for several months before making a final decision; it's certainly easy enough to remove. I'm betting you'll be glad you have it, code, schmode.

"...Code, schmode..." Another strong contender for Saying of the Year, 2017"!

Not up there with "house mullet" though. Do you plan on running a poll, BTW?

acm: Fine, but WHAT nation??? This is the World Wide Web, and there have been questions in the last few days from Zambia, Paraguay, and South Africa, that I know of.

Keep in mind it isn’t finished - paint it the same color as the wall and it won’t stabd out nearly as much, but you still have it for safety and to protect the wall on that side.

Jane - When is your handrail going up?

walking down a staircase in socks is a lot like walking on ice in anything. i have 2 permanently cracked ribs to prove it. oddly, i was holding on the handrail as i fell, i just didnt *expect* to fall and couldnt firmly grasp the rail fast enough. like holding a baby on your lap in a crashing car, you just can't hold on tight enough, fast enough.

shoes do more for stair safety than handrails, i think....

It's required....by informed common sense and prudence and foresight as many have noted.

I think you're hyper-focussed on it now. That can happen during construction.......I found my eyes zooming to certain features way beyond all reason.

I removed mine, didn't like the way it looked either.

It looks hideous, odd, and awful?? Really? I had to scroll back up and look again to see if I could see what you were seeing.

It's a non-issue to me. What's not to like? It's a handrail. A functioning, useful tool. I'd leave it and be grateful that I have it there in case I needed to use it.

Even though you have a handrail your 15 year old still runs his hand down the entire wall. I've been there too.

This pic has continually come up in my feed, so I’ve had a chance to look at it.....a LOT. My first reaction was “wow, what an eyesore”. But I’ve seen it so many times that now it looks perfectly fine...not an eyesore at all. So, it may just take some getting used to and then you will barely notice it. Of course you can always remove it after inspection. Pretty wall color btw.

It looks fine to me. I've never fallen down stairs nor has DH, but lives change and we do have older people in ours now who could find going up those stairs difficult. Someone with a weaker left hip or knee would very much appreciate a right hand friendly railing. Please don't get hung up on minor cosmetic details with your build, keep function in mind too....

My house was built by a doctor for his retirement home. It has some features I probably would not have paid for, but have come to appreciate. Wide hallways/doorways, curb less showers, no stairs from attached garage to inside, and a paved sidewalk that encircles the entire house under a deep overhang. I find I like it that I can be outside in the rain and not get my shoes wet or dirty ;) And, we did have a drop-in guest in a wheelchair last week, it was nice to be able to accommodate him without calling undo attention to his disability, or have to visit with him in the driveway (in December).