What is code for railing height for a deck?

Answer 1

There are codes in some areas for minimum railing height, but it can vary according to your location. Generally, most areas require at least 36" height above the deck.

Generally, most railings are from 38"-42" high. Many builders prefer 42" heights and up to 52" for deck levels that are a greater distance from the ground.

If you are designing smart, you want to make sure that your railing is greater than 1/2 the height of a taller person of 6'4". This would make it more difficult for a taller person to "flip" over the rail because of railings less than 1/2 their height.