Staircase permit (house, buyer, construction)

[offwing]

Hello
I would like to know if anybody can tell me if I need a permit to add a staircase to my basement .I live in the Pike Area and have been trying to find some anwsers on line but have not had any luck finding the info I need .Thanks for any help you guys & ladys can give me .

[61scout80]

Originally Posted by offwing

Hello
I would like to know if anybody can tell me if I need a permit to add a staircase to my basement .I live in the Pike Area and have been trying to find some anwsers on line but have not had any luck finding the info I need .Thanks for any help you guys & ladys can give me .

your best bet will be to find the local building inspector and ask them. They are the ones that would issue the permit and inspect the staircase.

Keep in mind current code requires no less than 6'-8" headroom, 36"wide, treads can be no less than 9" and rise can be no more than 8 1/4". Your local building official can issue a variance if they see fit. But this is why you would need to talk to the person who will be inspecting the stairs to be sure you won't have to rip it out and redo it....

[offwing]

Originally Posted by 61scout80

your best bet will be to find the local building inspector and ask them. They are the ones that would issue the permit and inspect the staircase.

Keep in mind current code requires no less than 6'-8" headroom, 36"wide, treads can be no less than 9" and rise can be no more than 8 1/4". Your local building official can issue a variance if they see fit. But this is why you would need to talk to the person who will be inspecting the stairs to be sure you won't have to rip it out and redo it....

Thank you.

[DE_NePA]

Or...you could say this is my home, and I will do with it what I see fit. Gather knoweldge and build your staircase. Build it right, and it will serve you well. Build it shoddily, and if you or someone else injures themselves on it, you'll pay...dearly.
I'm 45 years old, I've built my own decks, done my own plumbing and electrical work, etc, etc, and I have never asked for a permit from the government to improve my own property. And, it's all been up to whatever the code was at that time. Now, I've never done any work that would draw the prying eye of the local bureaucrats, like building a garage or an addition to my home. You're just asking for trouble by not getting a permit for something visually obvious like that.

[poconoproud]

http://www.arcways.com/pdfs/IRC2006.pdf

When starting a construction project, it is always wise to check with your permitting authority, as they each have different rules and regulations as to what does and does not require a permit.

[offwing]

Originally Posted by DE_NePA

Or...you could say this is my home, and I will do with it what I see fit. Gather knoweldge and build your staircase. Build it right, and it will serve you well. Build it shoddily, and if you or someone else injures themselves on it, you'll pay...dearly.
I'm 45 years old, I've built my own decks, done my own plumbing and electrical work, etc, etc, and I have never asked for a permit from the government to improve my own property. And, it's all been up to whatever the code was at that time. Now, I've never done any work that would draw the prying eye of the local bureaucrats, like building a garage or an addition to my home. You're just asking for trouble by not getting a permit for something visually obvious like that.

Well I am thinking about building it myself .I'm pretty handy and I believe I can do it myself .The reason I ask about a permit is if I choose to sell the house down the road I don't want to have any problems with home inspectors.But I am trying to do my home work on which path to take .

[offwing]

Originally Posted by poconoproud

http://www.arcways.com/pdfs/IRC2006.pdf

When starting a construction project, it is always wise to check with your permitting authority, as they each have different rules and regulations as to what does and does not require a permit.

Thank you.Poconoproud

[DE_NePA]

Building to code, and getting a permit are two different things. I am in favor of the first to a point, and strongly opposed to the latter. If you go ask about a permit, then don't apply, you may find yourself in trouble later, via a surprise inspection or close scrutiny trying to catch you. But a home inspection at resale does not report things to any gov't authority. They point out things that are not up to current code (could have been code when built). Buyer could insist you bring up to code, and insist work done at that point gets a permit if needed. Of they could say "Works for me", and disregard.

[offwing]

Originally Posted by DE_NePA

Building to code, and getting a permit are two different things. I am in favor of the first to a point, and strongly opposed to the latter. If you go ask about a permit, then don't apply, you may find yourself in trouble later, via a surprise inspection or close scrutiny trying to catch you. But a home inspection at resale does not report things to any gov't authority. They point out things that are not up to current code (could have been code when built). Buyer could insist you bring up to code, and insist work done at that point gets a permit if needed. Of they could say "Works for me", and disregard.

I am going to build it to code it was the permit part that I was worried about .Alot of people I've talked to tell me just build the thing already just make sure it's safe and strong .
Thank you DE-NePA for your insight it is very helpful.

[pocopc]

i agree i've never gotten a permit for any inside work to my own home. i find it silly, its my house... why do i need to ask permission to do something? Thats basically all a permit is... As long as you follow the code you should have no problems later if you decide to sell.