CodeMandatory
Floor elevation at non-egress exterior doors: not more than 8.25 inches below the top of threshold
Virginia USBC 2021 Amendment 18 (IRC R311.3.2)Description
Doors other than the required egress door shall be provided with landings or floors not more than 8.25 inches below the top of the threshold, provided the door does not swing over the landing.
Why this exists
Allows steps down to porches and patios at secondary doors while preventing dangerously-elevated thresholds. The 8.25" max matches the IRC stair-riser maximum so a single-step transition is code-compliant.
Measurements
| Property | Operator | Value | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
maxDrop | max | 8.25 | in | Floor-to-threshold drop at non-egress exterior doors (no swing over landing) |
Categories
Life safety
Applies to
- Jurisdiction: Virginia
Source
Virginia DHCDauthoritative
2021 Virginia Construction Code (Part I of USBC) (2021)
Section: Amendment 18 (IRC R311.3.2)
Published 2024-01-18 · last verified 2026-05-10
Solver enforcement
Browsable only — the solver does not currently enforce this directive (no spec-level data to check against). This entry exists so the architect personas can cite it in conversation and the user can read what the rule says.
Related directives
- Garage / dwelling fire separation · IRC R302.6
- Habitable space minimum ceiling height · IRC R305.1
- Egress window net opening dimensions · IRC R310.2
- Stair riser, tread, and headroom · IRC R311.7
- Smoke alarms required throughout dwelling · IRC R314
Last reviewed 2026-05-10.