Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Deck Specs - California

Does anyone know what the maximum spacing for pickets is in CA? (I'm hoping 6" but who to ask?)Also, what is the minimum height from deck to top of railing? My deck is 10 feet in the air. Can the rail be mounted on the outside of the posts and the pickets placed on the inside? Thanks

Every building jurisdiction in CA that I am aware of conforms to the Uniform Building Code (UBC). Check with your local bldg. dept. to see if they use some other standard. The UBC requires that any deck that is more than 30" above grade have a guardrail. For a residence, that guard rail has to be at least 36" in height, and a 4" ball cannot be passed through it. Orient the rails and pickets however you please, as long as a 4" ball cannot be passed between them. Most builders would use the rail to cover the top of the pickets, assuming that this a a wooden rail and picket. That way, the rail would keep the end grain of the picket from being exposed to water. Water on the end grain of the picket will cause it to rot faster.

Say Lefty, thanks for the reply. I am proceeding with repairs now. Glad I can cut the height to 36". Opens the view. 4" spacings are not a problem. I assume that means the 4" ball can't roll underneath the bottom rail either. Later

That's exactly right. A 4" ball can not pass between the pickets, or under the bottom rail. The only place where it is different is where the tread and riser on a set of stairs intersect. At that little trangle, formed by the tread, riser, and the bottom of the rail following the slope of the steps, then a 6" ball can not be passed through the opening.