Deck stairs with 3 risers in Ontario: handrail needed?

No handrail is required on exterior stairs serving a single dwelling unit that have not more than 3 risers. That is the rule in the 2024 Ontario Building Code, section 9.8.7.1.

Once the stair has more than 3 risers, one handrail is required on exterior stairs serving not more than one dwelling unit, and required handrails are 865 mm to 1 070 mm high. That height range comes from section 9.8.7.4(2) of the 2024 Ontario Building Code. If the surface behind the handrail is rough or abrasive, clearance behind it must be at least 60 mm; otherwise 50 mm, per section 9.8.7.5(1).

A few things still apply to a 3-riser stair even without a handrail requirement:

• Each rise must be between 125 mm and 200 mm, and each run between 255 mm and 355 mm, per Ontario Table 9.8.4.1 for private stairs.
• A rectangular tread's depth must be no shallower than its run and no deeper than its run plus 25 mm, per section 9.8.4.2(2).
• If the drop from the stair or landing to the ground within 1.2 m of the edge is more than 600 mm (24 in.), a guard is required on that side under section 9.8.8.1(1). Measure it for your stair.

On the permit question: if the deck itself is attached to the house and its walking surface is more than 600 mm above adjacent grade, a permit is required by the City of Ottawa regardless of stair count. If the deck is an elevated one providing principal access to the building, a permit is required as well. The permit drawings show the stair construction and location. The City's required inspections include a framing inspection at completion of structural framing and guards, and a final inspection at completion of framing, stairs and guards.

If anyone needs to dig for footings, a locate request through Ontario One Call must be submitted at least 5 business days before digging starts.

Before you choose a builder, check that each written quote spells out the same things: what the footing or pile type is and how deep, which board material is specified, how the guards and stair details are described, and whether removal of an existing deck is included or listed as an extra.