Railing Code On Historical Porch

Chris G

This is something I run into frequently. I'll be restoring this front porch, and part of issue is going to be the railings. They are peeling and cracking badly. If I leave them in place and restore them, they can stay at their current height of 30". If I replace them with new identical reproductions, they have to be 35". I know it's only 5", but I have seen it done before, and it looks like dogsh!t. Throws the proportions way off.

Usually, the homeowner either gets me to set them at 35" with an easy to change option once I am gone. Or they say, screw it, I'm not pulling a permit for that, my porch will look like dogsh!t.

Now I have an owner who doesn't like either of those options, but really wants to keep the height at the proper historical level. And also understands that refinishing in place isn't a great option.

So, has anyone ever received an exemption from the local historical board to replace rails at a historically correct height?

Before you ask...yes I am an evil code breaker, I know that many people will plummet to their death as a result of me keeping the railing at 30". Common sense is what I am saying.

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Chris G

What new railings will look like for anyone interested:

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ScipioAfricanus

All the friggin time around here, historical adherence takes precedence in this historic district. I love that part of it.

Andy.

mdshunk

The regular building code might not even apply. You can often get the install to be under the International Existing Building Code, but the local building officials might not be familiar with it. You might have to educate them.

thom

Take out a proper permit for refinishing with the understanding that you will make custom replacement balusters to replace any bad/damaged ones then, replace them all.

Chris G

Are you saying the IEBC takes precedence?

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Morning Wood

I've had the building inspector just ok it on site. Different situation, permit already pulled and H.O. wanted something that didn't meet code. Shouldn't be a problem.

DecksEtc

Chris, what's the height of the porch above grade?

From the picture, it looks like it's less than 24". If so, wouldn't you be fine to stay with the 30"?

Chris G

Hey Terry, yah it's really close, and there is a raised flower bed under that railing too, so it may be less than 24". Unfortunately the side railings are definitely above 24".

It seems silly to have make such big deal over this, but the owner has a friend who had a deck built out over a ravine. That builder didn't pull permits and when neighbours complained about the deck, the city tore it down.

Granted, a 30" inch porch railing, and deck built out over a ravine, (which is just asking for bylaw troubles) are world's apart, but that's the hand I was dealt.

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Aframe

Just have to run it by inspector, better to have the talk before you do it than have to change it. If he refuses to let it slide then you can go to historical board, they must have dealt with this issue before.

As a bonus, tell them you will get the owners to paint the center column one color.

Deadhead Derek

no. the IEBC must be adopted by the jurisdiction. If it isn'[t then it has no weight. the hist. guidelines state that a replacement that result in no greater risk to fire life and safety than what was original may be replaced in kind. Are you under the IRC up there?

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easymoney

Get a variance! I mean W..T..F! it's 24 inches of the ground, I'd have the owner go and plead his case, and tell them that they wanna match the property next door, or else it would look funny. Inspectors are a little more reasonable than the shmuck behind the plan check desk, you might go with either one, variance or a pre-inspection walk through with the issuing inspector.


Good Luck! and great match by the way...