Interior Stairs
New and rebuilt staircases inside Ottawa homes, built to the 2024 Ontario Building Code's private-stair rise, run, width and headroom.
Too few published Ottawa prices to quote a range. Compare quotes on the same stair layout, tread and riser material, handrail and guard, and any change to the floor opening. Where the job needs a building permit, the City's fee for alterations is $12.75 per $1,000 of construction value, minimum $117 (fee schedule dated January 1, 2026).
Find a CarpenterAbout Interior Stairs
A new or rebuilt staircase inside a house is built to the private-stair rules of the 2024 Ontario Building Code. Table 9.8.4.1. sets the rise, measured nosing to nosing, between 125 and 200 mm, and the run between 255 and 355 mm. At least one stair between floor levels in a dwelling unit is at least 860 mm wide, and the clear height over the stair is at least 1 950 mm, measured from a line along the nosings.
The Code also limits how much the steps may vary. Risers may differ by no more than 5 mm from one to the next and 10 mm across a flight, with the same limits for treads. Nosings are rounded or bevelled between 6 and 14 mm, and no single flight may rise more than 3.7 m. Winders are allowed within a dwelling unit when the set turns no more than 90° and each tread turns 30° to 45°. Wood stringers have an overall depth of at least 235 mm, and treads in a dwelling unit are at least 25 mm thick.
Stairs do not appear on either of ottawa.ca's lists, the projects that need a building permit or the ones that do not, so ask the City before you start. If the stair moves or the floor opening changes, that can mean cutting joists, and structural repairs or alterations are on the City's permit list.
Stair carpet, runners and refinishing worn treads are flooring work, covered on ottawafloorinstall.ca.
What This Work Covers
- Rise 125 to 200 mm and run 255 to 355 mm (private stairs)
- Width of at least 860 mm and headroom of at least 1 950 mm
- Even risers and treads within the Code's 5 mm and 10 mm limits
- Straight, landing and winder layouts within a dwelling unit
- Permit question put to the City before the work starts
Popular For
What this work costs
Common questions about interior stairs
- Which code limits apply to a curved staircase in an Ottawa home?
- Replacing the interior stairs in my Westboro house, permit needed?
- Moving my staircase to a different spot in my Nepean house?
- What's the tallest riser allowed on stairs inside an Ontario house?
- Spiral staircase up to a loft in my Ottawa home, allowed?
- How high should a stair handrail be inside an Ontario home?
- What do I send a carpenter so they can price my Manotick stair rebuild?
- What load must stairs in an Ottawa house be built for?
Other Carpentry Services
Wall Removal & Beams
Opening up rooms in an Ottawa house: the permit, who designs the beam, the posts and supports it needs, and what to compare in quotes.
Handrails & Guards
Stair handrails, balusters and guards inside Ottawa homes, with the Code's heights, openings and fastening rules kept apart.
Interior Doors & Frames
Interior door slabs, pre-hung doors, jambs and casing, plus new or widened openings, with the City's same-size exemption explained.
Trim, Baseboard & Crown
Baseboard, door casing, crown moulding, wainscoting and other interior millwork, with heritage and old-paint questions asked first.
Built-ins & Shelving
Built-in bookcases, window seats, wall units, closet shelving and benches made to fit the room, with the wall questions asked first.
Rot & Framing Repair
Rotted sills and joist ends, sagging or cut joists, damaged studs and structural subfloor repaired, with the permit question asked first.
Renovation Framing
New partition walls, closets, bulkheads and openings framed for main-floor and upper-floor renovations, with the permit step first.
Ready to Get Started?
Tell us about your interior stairs job and we'll send it to local carpenters in Ottawa. They reply by email.